Other

Softcard Systems, Inc.

Thomas M Hintz

Ken R Powell

Jonathan Paul Ruppert

Corey C Snook

Eleanor B Maxwell

Kevin W Hartley

Kathleen M Hintz

A system and method employing portable cards, carried by consumers, to monitor a commercial system. In one exemplary embodiment, when a consumer uses a card at a vending machine, the vending machine may write data, reflecting a condition of the vending machine, onto the card. Subsequently, when the consumer uses the card at another machine, the other machine may read the condition data from the card.

System and method employing portable cards to monitor a commercial system

A wearable communication apparatus is in the form of a self-contained telephone headset that includes an integral antenna, stand-alone power supply and on-board electronics and circuitry for RF and I/R communication. The headset includes a mouthpiece that is rotatably mounted to a central housing that contains the bulk of the apparatus electronics. The mouthpiece includes an ear speaker and microphone, as well as the rechargeable power supply. The rotating end of the mouthpiece includes an array of electrical contacts that are configured to contact a complementary contact array on the central housing. The electrical contacts provide for the communication of electrical power and information between the mouthpiece and its components and the central housing and its components. The headset can be activated by rotation of the mouthpiece into its operative position and deactivated by rotation out of this position. In the deactivated position, the contact array on the mouthpiece can provided electrical communication with complementary contacts on a base unit. The base unit also provides means for integrating the headset into a local telephone network, The base unit can be connected to the network via a traditional landline, and communicate with the headset via an RF antenna. The headset includes voice recognition capabilities that allow the user to dial telephone numbers, access a memory of stored numbers, and direct certain headset functions simply by spoken commands.

Wearable telecommunications apparatus with voice/speech control features

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Thomas M Hintz