The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 10, 1999
John Michael Merjanian, Burlington, MA (US);
The National Registry, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for commerce through a set-top box in which fingerprint data is employed. After prompting an operator to make a purchase through the set-top box, the operator provides fingerprint data to the set-top box. Account information of the operator is also obtained and conveyed to a remote location. The fingerprint data is compared to stored fingerprint data of the operator, and, in the event that the fingerprint data provided to the set-top box matches the stored fingerprint data, the operator's account is billed for any purchases that are made. The stored fingerprint data can be stored within the set-top box, a remote server, a central station, or on a card. Also disclosed is an improved set-top box of the type operable by a wireless control. The set-top box according to the invention includes a fingerprint reader either on the set-top box or the wireless control. The fingerprint reader acquires prints from a digit of an operator. The set-top box also includes a processor which is programmed to prompt an operator to enter his or her finger print. The prompt and fingerprint reader inform the set-top box of the identity of the operator.