WO2016069087A1

WO2016069087A1 - Method of operation of card activated timer (mocat) system and uses thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2016069087A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/044586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Trent MOSBY
Original assignee: Mosby Joseph Trent
Priority date: 2014-10-30
Filing date: 2015-08-11
Publication date: 2016-05-06

Abstract

The present invention discloses a card activated timer system that can operate as a stand alone or be housed in a device. This system combines the use of software program and at least one uniquely designed microprocessor to enable devices connected to the card activated timer system to operate in unison with the microprocessor that can read data storage device to simultaneously display the amount of time being deducted from the data storage device and operating time of utility device, when the operating time of the device is elapsing while rewriting and encoding that data storage device during the operation of the device.

Description

Method of Operation of Card Activated Timer (MOCAT) System and Uses

Thereof

Federal Funding Legend

This invention was not created using federal funds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This non-provisional application claims benefit of provisional application U.S. Serial No. 62/072,782 filed on October 30, 2014.

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a system comprising at least one microprocessor that combines common aspects of a microwave oven or a similar utility device and a data storage device that stores value stored on it. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a card activated timer system that can operate as a stand-alone, non-network billing system or be housed inside a microwave oven or a similar utility device and can control the operation of the utility device by overriding the power source attached to the utility device. A network billing system can also be used in accordance with other embodiments of this invention. This timer system comprises at least one microprocessor where the microprocessor is located in close proximity to a data storage device insertion means and reads and rewrites stored value on the data storage device. This data is transferred to the control panel of a utility device, which displays deductions from the data storage device and utility device operation time simultaneously. Background

Utility devices, including but not limited to microwave ovens, toaster ovens, countertop ovens that have rotisserie, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk are useful in private homes and public places. However, the cost of installing, maintaining and operating such utility devices in public places that include but are not limited to schools, prisons, manufacturing plants, office buildings, stadiums and other places, may cause a significant drain in finances of the owner or operator of these public facilities. This may be one of the reasons that dissuade the owners or operators of such places from installing such utility devices in these facilities. Therefore, there is a significant unmet need in the art to modify these utility devices so that they can be means of additional source of income to the owner or operator of these public facilities and serve the population that uses these public facilities.

There has been a substantial rise in the cost of incarcerating large populations of prisoners in the last two decades, to the extent that every agency seeks to shift any reasonable cost of incarceration back onto the prisoners themselves. These reasonable costs include "booking fees", medical expenses incurred by prisoner due to injuries sustained in a prison fight, and costs associated with telephone, digital music, emailing and copying documents. The increase in "for profit prison contractors' also creates a need for any additional source of revenue to combat the ever rising costs for incarceration. Currently, microwave ovens are used in some of the prison systems to warm up or cook a prisoner's food item. However, the abuse that some of the prisoners inflict on the microwave ovens has resulted in the microwave privileges of such prisoners being taken away. Additionally, cost concerns associated with operating microwave ovens in prisons have prevented some prison systems from allowing the installation of microwave ovens in their facilities.

Thus, there is a significant and unmet need for a modified utility device that is operated by a stored value debit card or similar data storage device in order to control, limit access and regulate time of use, display the time deductions from the card and the operation time of the utility device simultaneously and shift the costs and privilege of using the utility device to the consumer using it rather than burdening the taxpayer. The present invention satisfies this long standing need.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a card activated timer system.

In another embodiment, such a card activated timer system comprises means to control operation of a utility device connected to the timer system, where the means comprises at least one microprocessor, where the microprocessor is located in close proximity to a data storage device insertion means, where the microprocessor reads and rewrites an amount of stored value on a data storage device during operation of the utility device connected to the timer system while deducting the stored value purchased on the data storage device and where the data obtained from the microprocessor is transferred to a control panel of the utility device connected to the timer system, where the timer system allows simultaneous display of time deductions from the data storage device and operating time of the utility device and overrides the power source means connected to the utility device and normal operations of the utility device.

In yet another embodiment, the microprocessor is connected to the utility device by attaching the timer system to the utility device by means of a pigtail connection, by extending the housing of the utility device with a new piece of metal to create new space on top or on side of the utility device, or a combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the data storage device is a device that can be disposed, recharged, reloaded, programmed, encoded, initialized by a user unique password, or a combination thereof. In still yet another embodiment, examples of the data storage device may include but are not limited to a pre-loaded magnetic stripe debit card, a chip card, a fob device, or a smart card.

In another embodiment, the transfer of data obtained from the microprocessor located in close proximity to data storage device and the control panel system of the utility occurs by means of a closed loop system. In yet another embodiment, the microprocessor is connected to a network billing means, where the means accounts for any billing transaction incurred on the data storage device once the transaction is complete. In still yet another embodiment, the data storage device is an electronic data storage device, where the electronic storage device is configured in a closed loop system, in network billing means or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the electronic data storage device relies on near contact or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

In another embodiment, housing unit of the utility device comprises means to display time of operation of the utility device selected, means to display time on the data storage device, means to display time deductions from the data storage device, means to display time deductions from the utility device's operation time, means to select the time of operation of the utility device or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the housing unit of the utility device lacks means to insert the data storage device, swipe the data storage device, use near contact or Radio- Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. In still yet another embodiment, the means to select the time of operation of the utility device comprises a keypad, a set of buttons, or a turn dial that allows user of the utility device to press start button after entering desired units of time, where the units of time has been set by the manufacturer in the programming feature of the microprocessor. In another embodiment, examples of the utility devices that can be connected to the card activated timer system may include but are not limited to a microwave oven, toaster oven, countertop oven with convection and rotisserie, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is also directed to a method of controlling operation of a utility device using a card activated timer system described above.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a card activated timer system.

In another embodiment, the card activated timer system comprises means to control operation of a utility device that houses the timer system, where the means comprises at least one microprocessor, where the microprocessor is located in close proximity to a data storage device insertion means, where the microprocessor reads and rewrites an amount of stored value on the data storage device during operation of the utility device connected to the timer system while deducting the stored value purchased on the data storage device and where the data obtained from the microprocessor is transferred to a control panel of the utility device connected to the timer system, where the timer system allows simultaneous display of time deductions from the data storage device and operating time of the utility device and overrides the power source means connected to the utility device and normal operations of the utility device. In another embodiment, the data storage device is a device that can be disposed, recharged, reloaded, programmed, encoded, initialized by a user unique password, or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, examples of data storage device may include but are not limited to a pre-loaded magnetic stripe debit card, a chip card, a fob device, or a smart card. In still yet another embodiment, the microprocessor is configured in the housing unit of the utility device. In another embodiment, the transfer of data obtained from the microprocessor located in close proximity to data storage device and the control panel system of the utility device occurs by means of a closed loop system. In yet another embodiment, the microprocessor is connected to a network billing means, the means accounts for any billing transaction incurred on the storage device once the transaction is complete. In another embodiment, the data storage device is an electronic storage device, where the electronic data storage device is configured in a closed loop system, in network billing means or a combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the electronic storage device relies on near contact or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. In yet another embodiment, housing unit of the utility device comprises means to display time of operation of the utility device selected, means to display time of the data storage device, means to display time deductions from the data storage device, means to display time deductions from the utility device's operation time, means to insert the data storage device, means to select the time of operation of the utility device, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the means to insert the data storage device comprises a microprocessor that can rewrite or encode the amount stored on the data storage device. In yet another embodiment, the means to select the time of operation of the utility device comprises a keypad, a set of buttons, or a turn dial that allows user of the utility device to press start button after entering desired units of time, where the units of time has been set by the manufacturer in the programming feature of the microprocessor. In still yet another embodiment, the examples of utility devices may include but are not limited to a microwave oven, toaster oven, countertop oven with convection and rotisserie, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of controlling operation of a utility device using a card activated timer system described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 shows the front view of a utility device such as a microwave oven that houses the card activated timer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a card activated timer system comprising at least one microprocessor that controls operation of a utility device connected to this timer system and provides an improved utility device for government agencies or private enterprises. The card activated timer system may be placed on the side of the utility device, on top of the utility device or within the housing unit of the utility device. In one embodiment, the microprocessor is connected to the utility device by attaching the timer system to the utility device by means of a pigtail connection, by extending the housing of the utility device with a new piece of metal to create new space on top or on side of the utility device, or a combination thereof. Regardless of its location, the card activated timer system will override the power source and normal operations of the utility device until the time that the user purchases a stored data storage device and inserts that storage device in the means configured to insert and read such data storage device. In other embodiment, the user can initialize the data storage device by using a password that is unique to that user. The means to insert and read data storage device may be housed in the utility device. Alternatively, the means to insert and read the data storage device may be housed in the card activated timer system, which is then connected to the control panel system of the utility device. The card activated timer system comprises at least one microprocessor. The microprocessor of the card activated timer system is located in close proximity of the means to insert and read data storage device. The function of this microprocessor is to read and rewrite an amount of stored value on a data storage device during the operation of the utility device and then deduct the stored value purchased on the data storage device. This data is then transferred to the control panel of the utility device. Such a modification of the utility device will stop the users of the utility device from misusing the utility device and provide means to generate revenue in any large public or private setting, such as schools, business, or prisons. Additionally, the card activated timer system modifies the utility device to display deductions of time from data storage device and operation time of the utility device simultaneously. The improvements described herein are designed for security, simplicity and durability.

Although the improvements described herein can be used in combination with any utility device, the present invention illustrates the use of these improvements in combination with a microwave oven. Figure 1 shows the front view of a microwave oven 200 that has the microprocessor 205 that reads and rewrites the stored value on a data storage device such as a debit card placed directly behind the debit card insertion slot 215. In one embodiment, the microprocessor 205 may be contained in a card reader such that the microprocessor reads, writes, computes and rewrites data stored on the data storage device. The display of this microwave oven 200 also comprises a display 210 for cooking time and debit card reader time. The display further comprises a debit card eject STOP button 220 and an optional STOP button 225. The display also comprises a keypad, a set of buttons, or a turn dial 230, an instructions label 235 and a heavy duty pull open cavity door 240 that exposes a cavity 245 where food items can be placed when the door 240 is in open position. The internal programming features of the card reader allows the manufacturer of the utility device to designate the operation time for the utility device in terms of "units of time". The keypad, set of buttons or turn dial 230 allows the user to press start button after entering the desired "units of time". The keypad, set of buttons or turn dial are just some examples of the means by which the user can enter the desired "units of time". The present invention is not restricted to just these means for entering desired "units of time". In one embodiment, the card reader is programmed by the manufacturer of the utility device in such a way that 1 unit of time is equal to six seconds of operation time. Accordingly, if the user wants one minute of operation time, he has to enter "10 units" to achieve sixty seconds of operation. In one embodiment, the microwave printed circuit board control panel is modified in such a way that it is enabled upon insertion of data storage device such as the card. A wiring harness is connected to this control panel, which enables transfer of programmed time entered into the utility device back to the microprocessor contained in the card reader.

The utility device that is modified using this card activated timer system will have unique features that include but are not limited to the following: The display will show time deductions from both the data storage device and operation time. This will allow user of the utility device to see real time deductions. The display of the utility device also comprises a keypad, a set of buttons or a turn dial 230 that allows the user of the utility device to press start button after entering the desired units of time, where the units of time has been set by the manufacturer in the programming feature of the microprocessor/card reader. The control panel of the utility device will not have the ordinary functions like defrosting or any "smart technology" to automatically control how a food item is heated. The attendant power level function of the card activated timer system may be limited to "high power", but may allow for "medium low" settings. Further, one of the means to control the operation of the utility device that is attached to or houses the card activated timer system would be to use a data storage device that has stored value in it with a closed loop system while allowing custom incremental cooking times. Additionally, the microwave oven that incorporates such a card activated timer system has display 210 that displays cooking time and the debit card as discussed supra. Further, the wattage of the utility device, such as the microwave, that incorporates the card activated timer system may not be less than 1 ,000 watts, while possibly using an armored electrical cable to resist tampering or vandalism with the power cord. The utility device that is attached to or houses the card activated timer system will have a sturdy housing unit to ensure security, durability and longevity. The card activated timer system will be designed to retro-fit the newly modified housing unit in the utility device, for instance, the microwave oven, by welding, soldering, grinding, and laser cutting metals to enclose the timer system, after attaching the electrical circuits to control the waveguide, blower and magnetron. This will ensure proper operation of the microwave by the card activated timer system.

As discussed herein, the card activated timer system enables the utility device to operate only after a stored value electronic data storage device is inserted into the card reading slot 215 as shown in Figure 1, specifically designed to accept that storage device. With regards to debit card, the present invention contemplates using a chip card, a fob device, a smart card, or similar electronic data storage devices in addition to a simple Track II, high coercivity magnetic stripe insertion debit card. As used herein, the term "high coercivity" is understood in the art to describe the volume, amount, details or type of data that can be written or held on a magnetic stripe card. As used herein, the term "a smart card" is understood in the an to mean a card with an embedded microchip that can be loaded with data that one can use to access the device with or without payment. One example of such a smart card may include but is not limited to an employee issued card which turns on the power to use the device. Additionally, the data storage device described herein can be initialized using a user unique password.

As used herein, the term "utility device" is understood in the art to include any device that provides service to the public. Some examples of service include but are not limited to water or electricity. Some examples of utility devices include but are not limited to toaster oven, countertop oven with convection and rotissene, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk. Other media playing device may further comprise device that can play music or games. As used herein, the term "computer kiosk" may comprise a computer terminal.

As used herein, the term "data storage device" is understood in the art to mean a device that can store information for retrieval. Examples of data storage device include but are not limited pre-loaded magnetic stripe debit card, chip card or fob device. For instance, the pre-loaded magnetic stripe card in closed loop system only has stored value and does not contain the user's name or account and might be disposable or rechargeable. This card is not networked into the merchant's accounting bank system. An example of such a card includes but is not limited prepaid gift cards such as MasterCard, Visa or similar cards. As used herein, the term "closed loop system" means a system that enables the microprocessor to transfer data from the utility device printed circuit board and then rewrites or encodes the transactional data while the card remains inserted in the card insertion means or the data storage device insertion means without being connected to a network billing system. Thus, when the microprocessor transfers data in closed loop system, it means that no data is being transmitted to a network billing center.

As used herein, the term "network billing means" comprises network billing magnetic stripe that has static data comprising the user's name and account. This information will never change and is used to notify the network billing account that the user has accessed the system so that the transactional data can be billed to that registered account

As used herein, the term "pigtail connection" is understood in the art an electrical connection where a single piece of electrical wire is used to connect two or more wires when the card activated timer system is on a cable cord within a short distance from the utility device. A single pigtail wire will go into the utility device and connect the control panel system of the utility device to microprocessor in the card activated timer system.

As used herein, the term "control panel system" of the utility device is understood to mean the utility device's control panel that comprises a printed circuit board, which is constructed as per the factory standard and is connected to the microprocessor of the card activated timer system of the present invention.

As used herein, the term "Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology" is understood in the art to mean the use of radio waves to identify people or objects. The electronic data storage device that uses this technology comprises a small chip and an antenna. This device provides a unique identifier for a person or object and functions in the same manner as a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card or ATM card.

The foregoing descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A card activated timer system, comprising:

means to control operation of a utility device connected to said timer system, wherein said means comprises at least one microprocessor,

wherein said microprocessor is located in close proximity to a data storage device insertion means, wherein said microprocessor reads and rewrites an amount of stored value on a data storage device during operation of said utility device connected to said timer system while deducting the stored value purchased on said data storage device and wherein said data obtained from said microprocessor is transferred to a control panel of said utility device connected to the timer system, where said timer system allows simultaneous display of time deductions from the data storage device and operating time of the utility device and overrides the power source means connected to said utility device and normal operations of said utility device.

2. The card activated timer system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is connected to said utility device by attaching said timer system to said utility device by means of a pigtail connection, by extending the housing of the utility device with a new piece of metal to create new space on top or on side of the utility device, or a combination thereof.

3. The card activated timer system of claim 1, wherein said data storage device is a device that can be disposed, recharged, reloaded, programmed, encoded, initialized by a user unique password, or a combination thereof.

4. The card activated timer system of claim 3, wherein said data storage device is a pre-loaded magnetic stripe debit card, a chip card, a fob device, or a smart card.

5. The card activated timer system of claim 1, wherein said transfer of data obtained from said microprocessor located in close proximity to data storage device and said control panel system of the utility device occurs by means of a closed loop system.

6. The card activated timer system of claim 1 , wherein said microprocessor is connected to a network billing means, said means accounts for any billing transaction incurred on said storage device once said transaction is complete.

7. The card activated timer system of claim 1 , wherein said data storage device is an electronic data storage device, wherein said electronic storage device is configured in a closed loop system, in network billing means or a combination thereof.

8. The card activated timer system of claim 7, wherein said electronic data storage device relies on near contact or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

9. The card activated timer system of claim 1, wherein housing unit of said utility device comprises:

means to display time of operation selected;

means to display time on said data storage device;

means to display time deductions from the data storage device;

means to display time deductions from the utility device's operation time;

means to select time of operation of the utility device; or a combination thereof.

10. The card activated timer system of claim 9, wherein said housing unit of said utility device lacks means to insert said data storage device, swipe said data storage device, use near contact or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

1 1. The card activated timer system of claim 9, wherein the means to select the time of operation of the utility device comprises a keypad, a set of buttons or a turn dial that allows user of the utility device to press start button after entering desired units of time, wherein said units of time has been set by the manufacturer in the programming feature of the microprocessor.

12. The card activated timer system of claim 1, wherein said utility device is a microwave oven, toaster oven, countertop oven with convection and rotisserie, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk.

13. A method of controlling operation of a utility device using a card activated timer system of claim 1.

14. The card activated timer system, comprising:

means to control operation of a utility device that houses said timer system, wherein said means comprises at least one microprocessor,

wherein said microprocessor is located in close proximity to a data storage device insertion means, wherein said microprocessor reads and rewrites an amount of stored value on said data storage device during operation of said utility device connected to said control panel system while deducting the stored value purchased on said data storage device and wherein said data obtained from said microprocessor is transferred to a control panel of said utility device connected to the timer system, where said timer system allows simultaneous display of time deductions from the data storage device and operating time of the utility device and overrides the power source means connected to said utility device and normal operations of said utility device.

15. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein said data storage device is a device that can be disposed, recharged, reloaded, programmed, encoded, initialized by a user unique password, or a combination thereof.

16. The card activated timer system of claim IS, wherein said data storage device is a preloaded magnetic stripe debit card, a chip card, a fob device, or a smart card.

17. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is configured in housing unit of said utility device.

18. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein said transfer of data obtained from said microprocessor and said control panel system of the utility device occurs by means of a closed loop system.

19. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein said microprocessor is connected to a network billing means, said means accounts for any billing transaction incurred on said storage device once said transaction is complete.

20. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein the data storage device is an electronic data storage device, wherein said electronic data storage device is configured in closed loop system, in network billing means or a combination thereof.

21. The card activated timer system of claim 20, wherein said electronic storage device relies on near contact or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

22. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein housing unit of said utility device comprises:

means to display time of operation of the utility device selected;

means to display time on said data storage device;

means to display time deductions from the data storage device; means to display time deductions from the utility device's operation time;

means to insert said data storage device;

23. The card activated timer system of claim 22, wherein said means to insert said data storage device comprises said microprocessor that can rewrite or encode the amount stored on said data storage device.

24. The card activated timer system of claim 22, wherein means to select the time of operation of the utility device comprises a keypad, a set of buttons or a turn dial that allows user of the utility device to press start button after entering desired units of time, wherein said units of time has been set by the manufacturer in the programming feature of the microprocessor.

25. The card activated timer system of claim 14, wherein said utility device is a microwave oven, toaster oven, countertop oven with convection and rotisserie, television, DVD player or any other media playing device or computer kiosk.

26. A method of controlling operation of a utility device using a card activated timer system of claim 14.