CA2160691A1

CA2160691A1 - Portable electronic data coupon

Info

Publication number: CA2160691A1
Application number: CA002160691A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Roy J. Mankovitz; Henry C. Yuen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Index Systems LLC
Priority date: 1993-04-16
Filing date: 1994-04-08
Publication date: 1994-10-27
Also published as: AU6531094A; WO1994024820A1; JPH08509329A; EP0700621A4; CN1128598A; US5523794A; EP0700621A1

Abstract

Decoding of data included in the vertical blanking interval of a television transmission signal and storage of the decoded data on a portable data coupon allows unavailable ease of use of commercial discounts, manufactures coupons, and other cost saving devices. The portable data coupon incorporates a receiver (16) for retransmitted encoded data and a storage device (36) for the received data. A display (22) for viewing the data is present in the storage device and a transmitting device (32) is incorporated for selectively transmitting portions of the encoded data for use such as in redeeming a coupon or discount. Selection of data received in the coupon from the VBI to be saved in storage for later redemption is accomplished through interactive input by the user and automatic timing for expiration of data and deletion of data upon redemption are also provided.

Description

21~06!~1 PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DATA COUPON

B;~ ;. ou..d of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to storage of data provided as a nonprogram portion of television transmission signals. In particular, the invention provides a system for decoding data inrhldçd in the vertical blanking interval of a television tr~n.~mi~ion signal and a portable data coupon for storage of selected h,ro~ alion from the data received by the system for future use.
Prior Art Television broadcast signals provide ~ignifir~nt windows in the signal for insertion of data in addition to the required program signals for video and audio reception. The vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the television l~,."~ ion signal has been employed in the past for data to provide closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Decoders for data provided in the VBI are well known in the art and standards are being developed for data formats to usefully employ the VBI for transmission of additional data. Typical uses of VBI data to date have been similar to closed captioning wherein data received in the VBI is decoded and provided as a separate video signal for printing of information to the television screen for viewing by the user. Capability of prior art systems to decode, store and usefully employ data which can be provided in the VBI has been extremely limited.
Exemplary of data which may be provided in the VBI are channel specific - program hlrblll,dlion such as short term upcoming program schedules and program related hl~o,lllalion such as statistics of baseball players during a baseball game, recipes provided during a cooking lesson, problem ~signm~nt~ and answers after an educational program and other related iIl~o----dLion displayed on the screen relevant 2~Z~ 2-to the program being viewed. The majority. of this type of hlro~lllaLion may be displayed or is desirable to be displayed con.iuilc;lllly with existing video programming. Consequently, systems for decoding and presPnt~tiQn of the desired hlro.l..alion rely on P~entiAlly id~ntic~l technology to the closed caption systems previously described.
Significant atlrlitinnAl illrulllldlion may be ~ e.minAt~i through the use of VBI .~ignAling, however, practical systems for storage and use of the data to beprovided are not presently available. Colll,lle.cial hlru-ll-alion such as supplemental telephone number h,ro...lalion~ identi~cAtion of local ~ea~ers and supplemental producttprice h.ru.. lldion in addition to the video and audio presentation of acommon television commercial are desirable. For greatest benef~t this hlrc,lllldlion should be available subsequent to the presPntAtinn of the video/audio commercialand should be stored for subsequent access and/or use. Merely ovel~lilillg the existing video of a commercial with additional hlro~l.alion presented in the VBIproduces no more favorable result for the advertiser than the materials in the commercial itself. Such hlru.l.lalion conveyed on video is fleeting and most viewers are not disposed to take any action while actually viewing a commercial.TrA~ ion of data on the VBI which can be ca~Lu,ed and displayed subsequently on the screen at the command of the user extends the -~efilln~ of the real timebroadcast adding "virtual time" in which potential customers may review important sales related information at their leisure.
As a portion of the concept of providing commercial illro~ dlion, discount illfolllldLion for sales or services may be provided. At the present time discounts are typically provided in the form of coupons disLlibuled to consumers in print form such as newspapers, mAg~7.inPs, store dispensers and so on. The coupon is removed from its source by the consumer and brought to the store for redemption.Most coupons presently employ a UPC code number in the form of a bar code to allow easy collrl,lllalion of product, discount value, expiration date and otherhlrol..lalion for compillison with the goods actually purchased by the consumer to avoid coupon fraud.
The availability of the llA~ inn medium for "coupon" illrullllalion in the VBI of television trAn~mi~sion signals opens a new channel for both the advertiser and consumer in the field of commercial coll,ll-ullications. The present invention provides a method and system whereby such comme~cial hlfolll.dtion may be obtained, stored and used conveniently to obtain the greatest benefit from the presentation medium.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apl)~dlus for receiving, storing and using commercial or other data provided by llA~ ion during the VBI of a television broadcast signal. A controller which is connected to receive television trAn~mi~ion S signals incorporates a VBI decoder for extracting encoded data from the vertical blanking interval of the television llA--~ n signal. A 1~LIAII~III;II;I~g device is provided by the controller for sending the VBI data which is received to a portable data coupor~. The portable data coupon incorporates a receiver for the l~llA~ led encoded data and a storage device for the received data: The data coupon inchldes a display for displaying data present in the storage device which is routed through an internal decoder to provide an AlphAn~lmPric read out. The coupon further includes a t~ lg device for selectively llAll~lllillillg portions of the encodeddata to a receiving d~J~dldlus for use.
A memory in~hlded in the controller provides additional flexibility for receiving the encoded data from the VBI decoder and snbsequently trAn.~mitting the data to the portable data coupon. A multiplexer in the controller determines selection of memory storage or imme.liAte le~lA.I~n.i~ion A memory equipped controller also includes a receiver which is employed to receive data llA~l~`lllillp~d by the portable data coupon for storage in the controller memory. ln this embodiment the controller acts as the receiving d~ uS for the data trAn~;mitted from the portable data coupon.
VBI data may provide differing hlrullllalion to the controller which is applicable to multiple uses. The VBI decoder of the controller incorporates the capability for decoding multiple categories of encoded data. A microprocessor or2~ other pro~ lll,able logic controller segregates the categories of data and a data rollllaueL connected to the ~ A~ n system formats the data corresponding to its category. Additionally, control signals generated by the controller are rollllal~ed for segregation from VBI data. The receiver in the portable data coupon discriminAte~ between the rollllall~d data categories to allow storing of only desired data in the portable data coupon or segregation of the data based on data cddle~ oly~
Clocks or other time keeping means are provided in the portable data coupon and the controller for time marking of data and comparison of time markeddata with current time and date. TrAn~mitted data may also incorporate time information which is employed for updating of the cl~cks in the controller and 3~ portable data coupon.
Data stored in the portable data coupon is selectively deleted manually or automatically after trAn.~mi~ion from the data coupon for an end use. As 21~691 Wo 94/24820 ^ PCT/US~ 3~91 exemplified by the use of the portable data coupon for merchandise or service discounts, tr~n~mi.~.sion of the stored data relating to the discount equivalent to the redemption of a paper coupon would result in a~llullldLic deletion of that data from the memory of the portable data coupon thereby pre~hl-ling reuse of the discount.
s l~rief Description of the Dl a~
The present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed specification: ~
FIG. lA shows in schem~tic form the electronic data coupon with display 10controls and various interface devices in combination with a controller havingcommunications interfaces for the portable data coupon;
FIG. lB provides a reprP~ent~tion of the display of the portable data coupon wherein the display mode shows a UPC bar code format for use with a laser scanner;
15FIG. lC is a partial schematic repre~çnt~tiQn of a second embodiment of the portable data coupon employing a ~Il)h~" ~ ric key pad for data input;
FIG. 2 is a s~h~m~tic block diagram of the operational elements of the portable data coupon;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the controller for the vertical 20blanking interval data application system;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram for a redemption system for electronic coupons provided as stored data for the portable data coupon; and FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the portable data coupon stored in a holder foF
receiving tr~n~mitted data.
25FIG. 6 is a block diagram schem~tic of an embodiment of the portable data coupon for storage of a picture image allowing use as an electronic ID card.

Detailed Description Referring to FIG. lA a portable data coupon 10 is shown to provide 30practical secondary use of data tr~n~mitted in the vertical blanking interval of television tr~n~mi.~.~ion signals. VBI data is decoded from the television tr~n~mi~inn signal by controller 12 which then lla~ the data to the portable electronic coupon. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, two ~ ",is~ion methods are available. An IR emitter 14 which provides a wide band infrared 35signal which is received by an IR detector 16 on the portable data coupon allows remote comml~nic~tiQn with the portable data coupon. Alternatively, a serial interface may be employed with a first moiety of a connector 18 in the controller ~ WO 94/24820 21 6 0 6 9 ~ PCT/US94/03891 receiving a mating second moiety of the connector 20 present on the portable data coupon. Tr~n.~mi.~.~ion of the data employing the IR emitter/detector combination allows pl~rement of the portable data coupon at any desired location where the broad band infrared radiation from the emitter can be received. The serial intçrf~l e requires direct connection of the portable data coupon to the controller unit.
The portable data coupon includes a display 22 on which data received and stored in the portable data coupon may be shown to the user. Controls for operation of the portable data coupon inl.lu-ling a "read" key 24 for calling data to the display, a "cancel" key 26 for deleting data, a "save" key 28 for protectingstored data as will be ~ cn~ed subsequçntly, and a "send" key 30 for initi~ting tr~n~mi~sion of data stored in the portable data coupon. An IR emitter 32 is provided for tr~n~mitting data stored in the portable data coupon to a receivinga~pala~us responsive to the "send" key. Alternatively, data may be sent to a receiving ~palalus using the serial interface previously described for receivingdata.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings the controller also includes an IR
detector 34 for receiving data lld~ d by the portable data coupon in various applications to be described in greater detail subsequçntly.
The structure of the operating components of the portable data coupon are best seen in FIG. 2. Encoded data l~ led by the controller is received through the IR detector or serial port connector and provided to a microprocessor. The microprocessor stores the data in a storage device such as a random access memory (RAM) 36 for the embodiment shown in the drawings. Data manipulation in the portable data coupon is provided by the microprocessor responsive to the controls previously described which are generally described in FIG. 2 as controls 38. In response to the user depressing the read key, the microprocessor will retrieve the encoded data from a presently addressed memory location in the RAM and decode the data for output through a driver 40 to the display. In the embodiment shown in the drawings a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is provided with multiple ~Iph~nllmeric character capability.
Depressing the cancel key on the portable data coupon causes the microproeessor to delete the data in the memory location corresponding to the data on the display while depressing the send key will result in transmission of the data in the memory location corresponding to the displayed data through the IR emitter or serial port connector.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings data received by the portable data coupon is placed in a temporary storage buffer of the RAM. This temporary 2160691 PC-IUS 941 0 ~ 3 9 ~ PEA/lJS l; APR 199~

storage comprises a predetermined number of storage locations addressed by the microprocessor. When the temporary storage buffer is full additional data received by the portable data coupon will be written into the temporary buffer by the microprocessor over writing the oldest data in the buffer. A circular address pointer system for first in, first out storage in the temporary buffer or similar addressing technique is employed by the microprocessor. Data which the user desires to retain is written from the temporary storage buffer to a pru~e~;led buffer by depressing the save key on the coupon. In response to the save key the microprocessor will protect the data in the temporary storage buffer corresponding to the data on the display by lra~rel~ g the data to a protected or pel.ndLIe.~lstorage buffer in the RAM or all~--lalively setting a protect flag on the storage location to prevent over-writing of the data. .
The portable data coupon incorporates a cloclc 42 for tim~lreP~ping purposes to provide current time and date and for time fl~g~ing of received data by the microprocessor during storage. Encoded data received by the portable data couponcan include time i"rOI...~lion (station time data) decoded by the microprocessor for updating the internal clock.
The microprocessor incorporates within the data h~n(11in~ capability a sorting function for the data received to allow data of different formats to be employed by the portable data coupon. Tr~n~mittPd ffm~lrpeping data and data received by the clock are exemplary of these data categories. Additional categories for various applications of the portable data coupon will be described in greater detail subsequçntly.
For certain applic~tiol~c data received by the portable data coupon will ~col~olàle "prol~L" in~ iQn to identify to the user the desirability of re-,;,~g received data from the le~llporàl~ storage buffer to pLule~led storage.A flashing ~ h~à~ ,. presçnt~tion on the display or an audible signal provided by a beeper 44 under the control of the microprocessor are employed as the user prompt.
The user prompt provides an ~Mition~l cdlegoly of data received by the portable data coupon.
Data stored in the portable data coupon is l-a~Çeldble to a receiving appardui, through the IR emiKer or the serial port coln,e,~r. The portable data coupon may therefore act as a data transfer device in addition to a data storagedevice. Col,li..,.~lion of the portable data coupon as the source for data tr~n~mitted to such receiving appa alus is accompli~hed by a specific serial number or othercode for the portable data coupon stored in a read only memory (ROM) 46 accessible by the microprocessor for tr~ncmi~ion with the data to the receivil.

3 ~

~ WO 94/24820 2 1 6 0 fi 9 1 PCI/US94/03891 d~paralus. A receiving a~pardlu~, including a data tr~n~mi~ion system through anIR emitter or all~-,laliv~ly in a serial port connP~tion can employ a dialog approach with the microprocessor of the portable data coupon for review of data containedwithin the portable data coupon, extraction of d~prûpliate data and conr"ll,alion of the i~entific~tion of the portable data coupon.
An example of the operation of the portable data coupon in a primary s~nticirated use provides supplemental data storage and "electronic coupons" fordiscounts on mer~h~ntli~e or services offered in television commercials. During the vertical blanking intervals of a television co"ll"~,cial, hlru"l,alion associated with the telephone number, address or selection hl~olll'dtion for local dealers of the product or service are tr~n.~mitted or details of offered discounts including identification of merch~n~li.ce, value of the discount, expiration date and so on. The controller decodes the VBI data using standard techniques. The data present in the VBI is further encrypted to avoid use by systems other than authorized portable data coupons. The encoded data stripped from the VBI is lt;ll,.~ led to the portable data coupon where it is stored in temporary memory as previously described. The coupon user may then retrieve the hlrullllalion from the "~"~Ol~ through the use of the read key. Telephone numbers, addresses and similar hlrolllldlion are decodedby the microprocessor and displayed on the portable data coupon for review by the user through the use of the read key. Electronic coupon hlrullllalion is displayed in one of several formats. An alphanumeric format showing the vendor/producer/dealer, amount of discount and expiration date allows the user to determine the value of the "electronic coupon." A standard UPC bar code format is ~It~.rn~tively presented on the display through predetermined key strokes on theexisting keys or by way of a "shift" key (not shown) for use with redemption systems employing a laser scanner or similar system. The UPC bar code system allows easy comparison by a~llolllalic cash register systems of goods purchased.Such a bar code display is shown in FIG. lB.
At a predetermined time after completion of the television commercial to allow the user to contemplate the in~llllalion provided, a prompt cOllllllalld is provided in the VBI data which is L~ll,a~",itted by the controller to the television screen or to the portable data coupon. Upon receiving the prompt command the microprocessor activates the beeper or flashing display character to call the user's attention to the fact that a coupon or other h~ro""alion has been provided. The user may review the hll`oll,ldlion using the read key and determine if the hl~ulllldlion should be saved in protected storage to preclude over-writing by subsequent commercial hl~ollllalion. If the save key is pressed, the hl~ullllalion is protected ~ 21 6 0 6 9 1 IpEA/us 9 4 / 0 3 8 9 1 and may then be used subsequently for redeeming the "electronic coupon. ' Alle,l.alively, if the information is of no interest to the user, the cancel key may be pressed and the data cancelled at that time.
The portable data coupon monitors expiration date inru~ dLion provided in the encoded data and the microprocessor compares current time and date illçul~"~ion provided by the internal clock to the expiration date of inro~ ;on present in data storage. Upon reaching a pre~leterminPd period prior to an expiration date the microprocessor will display the inro~ 1ion corresponding to the al)proacl~ing expiration date and prompt the user by activating the beeper or flashing display cue. Data in protected and temporary storage which contains an expiration date is "oniloLed by the microprocessor and upon passing the e~cpiration date the memory locations are cleared thereby conserving memory resources.
An embodiment of the controller for use with the portable data coupon is shown in FIG. 3. The controller may be incol~ula~d in the television itself or other product incorporating a VBI decoder and data ~cll~n~ ;on system as previously described. Incorporation of the controller into a VCR system is accomplished in a present embodiment employing a system æ disclosed in U.S.
Patent Application, Serial No. 08/014,541 filed on February 8, 1993, entitled F.nhAnrin~ Operations of Video Tape Cæsette Players having a coll~ A~.SignPe æ the present invention which is incol~o~aled herein in its entirety by r-cf~en~e.
As shown in FIG. 3, the controller receives the television broadcæt signal on the video input line 48, video is also provided to the tuner of the television set (not shown) for normal television viewing. A VBI decoder 50 receives the video input signal and decodes the data provided in the vertical blanking interval under the control of a microprocessor 52. Data formats for VBI data are well l~nown in theh.~l~l.~ and e~cemplified by the report entitled IIReco~ nded Practice for Line 21 Data Services Part 7 FYten~Pd Data Service Packets~ draft EIA~08.
VBI encodPr/decoder systems are well known in the art and are presently employed for closed captioning for the hearing hllpa,r~. Fo...-A~ g of specific data types for recognition by the microprocessor allows the data storage capability of the VBI to be employed for multiple uses. Various data provided in the vertical blAnlring interval may include program inro----A1;on for television programs being watched or taped. Co.. P~cial i.. rol.. A1;on, such as that previously described is also provided in the VBI data. The VBI decoder incorporates a multiple~cer underthe control of the microprocessor as a logic means which se~ s program i~c,.",a~ion data from data applicable to the portable data coupon.

~ 21 PCT~US 94/ 03 8 9 1 In a first embodiment of the present system the coupon data stripped from the VBI by the VBI decoder is provided directly to a r~ cl"itter in the controller.
As previously described, this r~ l"itter may take the form of an IR emitter or astandard serial port employing a hard wired connector.
In a second embodiment of the system the coupon data is directed from the VBI decoder to a memory 54 internal to the controller for storage. This storage allows delayed L~ nC",icsi~n to the portable data coupon and under the control of the microprocessor allows burst tr~ncmicsion of stored data in the memory as opposed to real-time intermittent tr~nsmiCcion provided by direct VBI decoding.
The memory capability of the controller is far less co~llailled by physical tlim~nsional requirements than the memory of the portable data coupon.
Concequently, operational scenarios for the system wherein data stripped from the VBI is temporary stored in the controller and only downloaded to the portable data coupon for use are envisioned.
The data ~l.a~;led from the VBI by the decoder inrllldes program hlro~ dlion or other data which may not be directly applicable to the portable data coupon. Incorporation of the controller system in a VCR, as identified in the exemplary lerelenced embodiment of Patent Applic~fion Serial No. 014,541 is enh~nred by providing capability in the controller for directing VBI data and other control hlrolllldlion to devices in ~d~lition to the portable data coupon. As shown in FIG. 3 the microprocessor provides direct coded control data, for inct~nre, control il~,lllalion for a cable television decoder box, through a code data generator 56.
A data Çu~laller 58 under control of the microprocessor provides ~ icsiQn data to the infrared emitter in specific formats for data categories. For example, asshown in FIG. 3 category 1 data is control data output from the code data systemfor control of a seCQn~l~ry dp~al~uS by the microprocessor of the controller.
Category 2 illrulllldlion is program ID i-~o~ ion provided from the controller while c~egc~ 3 data is collllllercial data available for the portable data coupon. The controller incorporates a clock 60 for time keeping functions providing an output through the data rvl~ e~ under the control of the microprocessor as calegu-~ 4 data. The clock 60 of the controller is reset usingstation time data responsive to a control signal from the microprocessor 52.
In certain applications the controller may be operable from a remote control device as eY~Tnrlified by a standard VCR remote controller. The IR detector 34 in the controller is adapted to receive IR tr~ncmissiQnc from such remote controllers for processing by the microprocessor. The microprocessor in turn converts such remote control inputs to code data for control of ~lt~rn~te devices such as the cable ''3 ~

4 ~ u, ~ 9 - - 2160691 IPEA/US l -~; APR ~99~

box, television or the portable data coupon. Prompting of the portable data coupon user through the beeper on the coupon during a broadcast of commercial il~ro,...~ion, as previously described, may be responded to by use of the remotecontrol wherein a predetermined key-stroke on the remote control provides an infrared signal to the controller which is received on the IR detector and provided by the controller microprocessor as a code data signal through the IR emitter of the controller which is in turn received by the IR detector of the portable data coupon to accomplish the save function without the user having to retrieve the coupon and press the save button on the coupon itself. As previously described, the microprocessor 35 in the portable data coupon inco.yoLdt~ data segregation capability based on the data formats, comequently control data in the code data format having a functional representation for the controls of the portable data coupon may be received for "hands-off" operation of the portable data coupon functions.
lS Use of a remote control for remote activation of control fimCtinn~ for mllltirle portable data coupons is accomrli~hed by inrrudin~ a card id~ntifir,~tion number in the l~ey stroke sequrnre thereby allowing difL,ienl "electronic coupons"
or other data to be saved in separate portable data coupons.
In an a~idition~ e oper~tion~l mode for the portable data coupon, program hlru~ a~ion data stored in the controller l~t~OI ~ for use with other controller functions such as, video tape recording, may be downloaded into the portable data coupon for transportation to a second controller. Downloa~ling of the program i~ruLLllalion would be accomplished under the control of the controller microprocessor through the IR emiKer or serial port col~ l;on in a data format 2~ d by the portable data coupon. Data r~ceived by the portable data coupon would be stored in ~yO~a~ or prul~;led storage buffers. Uploading of the data from the portable data coupon to the second controller system would then be ~^comrli~h~d by employing the send key 30 of FW. la on the portable data coupon for ~ sion of the data through the IR emiKer 32 or serial port connector 20 to the memory of the second controller.
An ~ltP-~n~te em~otlim~nt of the portable data coupon for use without lell~ s;oll capability from the controller elllylo~i~ a standard alpha-numeric lceypad 62 as represented in FIG. lc. VBI data decoded from coll,l"~cial i~u~l~dion incolyûldtes a predeterminrd numerical code which is provided by the controller to the user on t~e television screen for direct entry into the portable data coupon using the keypâd. For e~cample, an enroded version of a standard UPC
code may be displayed on the screen which is entered by the user on the keypad and ~ 2160691 .` ~4~
-- IPEA/llS 1 APR ~995 decoded by the microprocessor in the portable data coupon resulting in a display of the vendor/dealer, product discount amount and expiration data. This data would then be available in protected storage of the portable data coupon for later use as previously described.
A redemption system for the implement~tion of the portable data coupon for "electronic coupons" is shown schPm~tic~lly in FIG. 4. A standard bar code sC~nning cash register system 64 having a scanner 66 is typically employed as a point of sale system. Products sold are scanned by the laser scanner using UPC bar codes and automatically regi~ered in the cash register system with product identification and price. Presently available paper coupons typically employ a UPC
bar code which is scanned by the laser scanner, co-lJpa~od to the purchases made, and if the product has been purchased, the coupon discount is applied to the sales total. The portable data coupon may be employed in the same fashion by calling up the recorded discount in a UPC bar code format as previously described and shownin FIG. lB. Scanning by the normal laser scanner then allows the cash register system to confirm purchase of the discounted product and application of the approp,iate discount to the sales tohl.
Paper coupons are typically collected upon redemption to avoid reuse.
Store employees manually cancel each coupon after redemption using the cancel ltey on the portable data coupon. Allel~Lively, the porhble dah coupon, through use of the IR detector 16, a.~Lorllalically deletes a scanned coupon by detection of the laser light signal in the IR detector. To avoid deletion of the "electronic coupon"
prior to c~ ;on that the coupon has been acce~led by the cash register system, an id~ntific~tion bit may be set in the storage location, resulting in a tirne delayed erasure of the coupon which is reversible, if the coupon has not in fact been rede~m~
by a coded input by store employees on the controls of the portable data coupon.A supplemental adapter for electronic coupons 68 for use with the portable data coupon provides a positive in~,.delive co""~ ir~tion means with a portable data coupon for pnh~nred reliability of the point of sale system. The portable data coupon is placed in close proximity to the adapter for infrared signal Lr~ cion and reception, allowing a dialog hlLerchange between the adapter and portable data coupon for evaluation and redemption of all "electronic coupons" corrF ~o~ ing to products purchased. The adapter i~co,~o,d~s an infrared emitter 70 and an infrared detector 72 for co.. ~ iç~fion with the portable data coupon. The adapter queries the portable data coupon by data t-~ C;on through the IR emitter 70 which is received by the IR detector 16 on the portable data coupon. Data PC~/~S 9 4 / 0, ~ 9 1 2160691 IPEA/US 1; ~PR 1995 trAn~mitted by the portable data coupon on IR emitter 32 is received by IR detector 72 in the adapter for processing by the cash register system. Upon co~ ,alion ofthe purchase of the discounted article, a cAn~ tion signal is issued by the adapter on the IR emitter 70, confirming redemption of the coupon. The redemption signalis received by the IR detector 16 on the portable data coupon and data collæ~onding to the discount is cancelled or erased from storage. A mating connector moiety 74 is also provided in the adapter for connection to the connector moiety 20 on the portable data coupon for co~ nicAtion through the serial interf~ce employing query and response for "electronic coupons" present in the portable data coupon corresponding to products purchased.
Interrogation of the portable data coupon for serial number from the ROM
as previously described is employed as a security -leas.,re to. avoid "pirate~ portable data coupons thereby reducing "coupon fraud.
Rehlrning to the system embodiment of FIG la, to pLollwle op~
co"~ ications with the portable data coupon during remote data transfer from thecontroller through broad band infrared tr~ncmiccion~ plAce...~ of the portable data coupon in leAconAhle pro~imity to the controller is required. As shown in FIG. 5, a stand 76 COIllpLisi..g a channel having upstAn~ing legs to support the portable data coupon in an sLIbs~ ;Ally vertical orientation is employed. The embodiment shownin the drawings provides a front leg 78 of the channel having a vertical dim~ncion sized to allow e~posure of the IR detector 16 and a second leg 80 having a vertical dimPn5ion sumci~pnt to support the portable data coupon in a s~bstAntiAlly upright position. Use of IR ~ sp~elll m~t~ri~l5 for alternate embo~imPntc of the stand e~ s the r~u~e~lc.ll for a reduced vertical dimPnQ;on of the first leg. A
holder for multiple portable data coupons employing a stepped ~lange--lenl between co.l.~lulenls for individual coupons may be employed to provide opli y~s~.,e of the IR detector of each portable data coupon for data reception Yet another embodiment for use of the portable data coupon is shown in FIG. ~. Photographic images taken by a video camera 82 are ~ l~i through a photo adapter 84 employing an infrared emitter 86 to be recl,;ved by the portable data coupon on infrared detector 16. Use of the portable data coupon as an electronic i~çntifi~tion card is accomplished by requiring entry of a personal identification number (PIN) known to the card owner and co~ onding to the serial number of the card stored in the ROM. Video data received from the photo adapter is placed in pe~ l\ n storage upon proper entry of the PIN. Data transfer and interface control for the video data is accomplished through the use of an IR
detector 88 responsive to the IR emitter 32 of the portable data coupon.

k~

W0 94/24820 21 fi ~ 6 9 I PCT/US94103891 In operation, the system allows the user to select poses and replace the stored video information as desired. However, the requirement for entry of the PIN, prior to protected storage of the image precludes improper entry of ~ ntific~tion photos. Aiternatively, the key board for entry of the PIN is incorporated in the photo adapter and PIN hlro~ ion is verified by dialog col~ ications with the portable data coupon.
Data commnnic~tion between the photo adapter and portable data coupon is accomplished in an ~Itern~tive embodiment through the use of the connector and serial port interface as previously described.
Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications and ~ub~ ulions are encompassed within the present invention as defmed in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A portable data coupon comprising:
means for receiving encoded data;
means for storing the received data said storing means including;
a plurality of temporary storage locations and means for addressing said temporary storage locations, said addressing means sequentially addressing each temporary storage location for storage of received encoded data, and, when all temporary storage locations are full, addressing the temporary storage location having the oldest data for storage of newly received data;
a plurality of protected storage locations, and means for selectively transferring data from one of said temporary storage locations to one of said protected locations;
means for selectively decoding and displaying the data present in the storing means; and means for selectively transmitting the encoded data to a receiving apparatus.

2. A portable data coupon comprising:
means for receiving encoded data;
means for storing the received data;
a time keeping means;
means for storing current time and date from the time keeping means with received data;
means for selectively decoding and displaying the data present in the storing means; and means for selectively transmitting the encoded data to a receiving apparatus.

3. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 2 wherein the encoded data includes current time and date information and further comprising means forupdating said time keeping means to current time and date responsive to the encoded data.

4. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 2 wherein the encoded data comprises merchandise or service discount information.

5. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 4 wherein said discount information includes offerer identification and discount identification.

6. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 4 wherein said discount information includes an expiration date.

7. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 6 further comprising means for comparing the current date from the time keeping means to the date included in said discount information and means for deleting said data from the storing means when the expiration date exceeds the current date.

8. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 2 further comprising indicating means responsive to the comparing means for indicating to a user whenthe current date reaches a predetermined period prior to the expiration date.

9. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 2 wherein the encoded data includes identification of offerer, product or service, and discount amount in UPC format.

10. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 9 wherein the decoding and display means selectively decodes and displays said encoded data in a first alpha numeric format and in a second bar code format and said portable data coupon further includes means for selection of display format.

11. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving encoded data comprises an infrared detector.

12. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving encoded data comprises a serial input port.

13. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving encoded data comprises an alpha numeric key pad.

14. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 1 wherein the encoded data comprises a prompt signal and the portable data coupon further comprises means for indicating that a prompt has been received.

15. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 14 wherein the indicator means is a beeper.

16. A portable data coupon as defined in claim 14 wherein the indicator means comprises a flashing visual indicator.

17. A vertical blanking interval data application system comprising:
a controller connected to receive television signal transmissions including encoded data inserted in the vertical blanking interval of the television signal, said controller having:
a memory for storage of the encoded data received;
means for transmitting the encoded data stored in the memory and, a portable data coupon having means for receiving the data transmitted by the controller;
means for storing the received data;
means for selectively decoding and displaying the data present in the storing means, and means for selectively transmitting the encoded data to a receiving apparatus.

18. A vertical blanking interval data application system as described in claim 17 wherein said controller further comprises means for detecting data transmitted by said coupon said detection means connected to the memory for storage of the received coupon data.

19. A vertical blanking interval data application system comprising:
a controller connected to receive television transmission signals and having - a VBI decoder for extracting encoded data from the vertical blanking interval of the television transmission signal and means for retransmitting said encoded data; and, a portable data coupon having means for receiving the retransmitted encoded data, means for storing the received data, means for selectively decoding and displaying the data present in the storing means, and means for selectively transmitting the encoded data to a receiving apparatus.

20. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 19 wherein the controller further comprises:
a memory connected to receive encoded data from the VBI decoder, and a multiplexer in the VBI decoder connected to the data retransmission means and connected to the memory for selectively providing encoded data from the VBI decoder in a first state to the data retransmission means and to the memory in a second state.

21. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the controller further includes a means for detecting encoded data transmitted by the means for selectively transmitting of the coupon said detection means connected to the memory for storing data from the coupon.

22. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein said controller further comprises:
logic means for segregating categories of data; and a data formatter connected to the retransmission means and responsive to the logic means for formatting data for retransmission corresponding to one of said categories of data.

23. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 22 wherein the multiplexer of the VBI decoder directs data to the memory or the retransmission means responsive to the logic means based on the category of the data.

24. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 22, further comprising a clock having a time data output and wherein the logic means further segregates the time data as a category of data.

25. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 24, wherein station time data is a category of data received by the VBI
decoder and further comprising means for resetting the clock to equal the station time data responsive to a control signal from the logic means.

26. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 22, wherein the portable data coupon further comprises means for detectingdata formatted by the data formatter, said detecting means connected to the receiving means and selectively providing an enable signal to the storing means to allow storing of received data.

27. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 22, wherein the controller further comprises means for generating control data for operation of a secondary device, said control data segregated by the logic means as a category of data and wherein said data formatter formats said control data for transmission to the secondary device.

28. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises means for confirminga unique identification of the data coupon to the receiving apparatus.

29. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises means for selectively deleting stored data.

30. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for storing in the portable data coupon includes at least one temporary storage location and a plurality of protected storage locations, said received data being stored in said at least one temporary storage location and further comprising means for selectively transferring data from said at least one temporary storage location to one of said protected locations.

31. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 30 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises a plurality of temporary storage locations and means for addressing said temporary storage locations, said addressing means sequentially addressing each temporary storage location for storage of received encoded data and, when all temporary storage locations are full, addressing the temporary storage location having the oldest data for storage of newly received data.

32. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises a time keeping means.

33. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 32 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises means for storing current time and date from the time keeping means with received data.

34. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 32 wherein the encoded data includes current time and date information andwherein the portable data coupon further comprises means for updating said time keeping means to current time and date responsive to the encoded data.

35. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the encoded data comprises merchandise or service discount information.

36. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 35 wherein said discount information includes offeror identification and discount identification.

37. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 35 wherein said discount information includes an expiration date.

38. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 37 wherein the portable data coupon further comprises a time keeping meansfor providing current date and timer, means for comparing the current date from the time keeping means to the expiration date included in said discount information and means for deleting said data from the storing means when the expiration date exceeds the current date.

39. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 35 wherein the encoded data includes identification of offeror product or service and discount amount in UPC format.

40. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the decoding and display means of the portable data coupon selectively decodes and displays said encoded data in a first alphanumeric format and in a second bar code format and said portable data coupon further includes means for selection of display format.

41. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the retransmitting means comprises an infrared emitter and wherein the means for receiving the retransmitted encoded data comprises an infrared detector.

42. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for retransmitting comprises a serial output port andwherein the means for receiving the retransmitted encoded data comprises a serial input port.

43. A vertical blanking interval data application system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for retransmitting said encoded data comprises means for displaying said encoded data and wherein the means for receiving the retransmitted encoded data comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

44. A method for data retrieval and use comprising the steps of:
encoding data in a predetermined transmission format;
broadcasting the encoded data as a portion of a television transmission signal during the vertical blanking interval portion of the signal;receiving the television signal with a VBI decoder and extracting the encoded data from the vertical blanking interval;
retransmitting the encoded data;
receiving the retransmitted encoded data in a portable data coupon;
storing the received data in the portable data coupon;
selectively decoding and displaying the data present in the portable data coupon; and selectively transmitting the encoded data from the portable data coupon to a receiving apparatus.

45. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 further comprising the step of intermediately storing the encoded data in a memory prior to retransmission.

46. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 wherein the step of receiving the television transmission signal includes the step of identifying the encoded data according to predetermined categories and wherein the step of retransmitting the encoded data includes the step of formatting the encoded data for retransmission corresponding to the category of the data.

47. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 46 wherein receiving the retransmitted encoded data in the portable data coupon includes the step of identifying the data category and wherein storing the received data in the portable data coupon includes the steps of segregating data for storage based on the categories identified and storing said segregated data.

48. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 wherein the step of storing the data in the portable data coupon comprises the step of storing the encoded data in a temporary storage location in the portable data coupon andfurther comprising the step of selecting encoded data from temporary storage forprotected storage.

49. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 48 wherein the step of storing the encoded data in temporary storage further includes the steps of:
determining when all temporary storage locations are full;
determining which temporary storage location contains the oldest data; and storing newly received data in the storage location having the oldest data.

50. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 40 wherein the step of selectively transmitting the encoded data to a receiving apparatus further comprises the step of transmitting a unique identification of the portable data coupon to the receiving apparatus.

51. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 further comprising the step of:
deleting data stored in the portable data coupon after selectively transmitting the data to the receiving apparatus.

52. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 wherein selectively transmitting the encoded data from the portable data coupon to a receiving apparatus comprises the steps of:

querying the portable data coupon to determine if encoded data corresponding to desired data is present in a storage location; and transmitting the data from the storage location of the portable data coupon.

53. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 52 wherein the steps of querying and retrieving are repeated for all desired data.

54. A method for data retrieval and use as defined in claim 44 further comprising the step of deleting data which has been transmitted from storage.