Interactive optical cards and other hand-held devices with increased connectivity

Abstract

A system for deriving benefits from the reception and processing of composite video signals by a hand-held device, such as a smart card. Video signals are modulated with auxiliary data creating composite video signals. The composite video signals are then transmitted to and received by a hand-held device. The auxiliary data is then detected in the modulated video signal by circuitry of the hand-held device. The user receives benefits resulting from the reception of the auxiliary data.

1 . A method comprising:
 processing a purchase request for an airline ticket; and   providing purchase data associated with the airline ticket to a hand-held device, the hand-held device being capable of displaying information associated with the purchase data on a visual display.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a ticketing request associated with the airline ticket;   providing ticketing information regarding the airline ticket; and   receiving a purchase request for the airline ticket,   wherein the processing of the purchase request is in accordance with the receiving of the purchase request.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing notification regarding availability of the airline ticket,   wherein the receiving of the ticketing request is in accordance with the providing of the notification.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a video signal, the video signal including flight purchase information associated with the airline ticket.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the flight purchase information is modulated within the video signal in a substantially invisible way. 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 receiving purchase data associated with an airline ticket;   receiving a display request from a user;   presenting a ticketing confirmation associated with the purchase data on a visual display;   receiving a redemption notification of the airline ticket; and   processing the redemption notification.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the receiving of the purchase data comprises:
 sending a ticketing request to a server associated with the airline ticket;   receiving ticketing information from the server;   verifying the ticketing information; and   providing a purchase request for the airline ticket to the server,   wherein the receiving of the purchase data is in accordance with the providing of the purchase request.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving a notification of ticket availability,   wherein the sending of the ticketing request is in accordance with the receiving of the notification.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 reproducing a tone in accordance with the receiving of the notification.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the server includes a travel website. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the ticketing information includes at least one of ticket availability, ticket cost, flight information, and ticket restrictions, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the purchase data includes the ticketing confirmation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ticketing confirmation includes a code. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the code includes a bar code. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the code includes HyperText Markup Language (HTML). 
     
     
         16 . A machine-readable medium comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more processors perform the following operations:
 receive purchase data associated with an airline ticket;   receive a display request from a user;   present a ticketing confirmation associated with the purchase data on a visual display;   receive a redemption notification of the airline ticket; and   process the redemption notification.   
     
     
         17 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more instructions to receive the purchase data include:
 send a ticketing request to a server associated with the airline ticket;   receive ticketing information from the server;   verify the ticketing information; and   provide a purchase request for the airline ticket to the server,   wherein receiving of the purchase data is in accordance with providing of the purchase request.   
     
     
         18 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17  further comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more processors perform the following operations:
 receive a notification of ticket availability,   wherein sending of the ticketing request is in accordance with receiving of the notification.   
     
     
         19 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 18  further comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more processors perform the following operations:
 reproduce a tone in accordance with the receiving of the notification.   
     
     
         20 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the server includes a travel website. 
     
     
         21 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the ticketing information includes at least one of ticket availability, ticket cost, flight information, and ticket restrictions, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the purchase data includes the ticketing confirmation. 
     
     
         23 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the ticketing confirmation includes a code. 
     
     
         24 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 23 , wherein the code includes a bar code. 
     
     
         25 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 23 , wherein the code includes HyperText Markup Language (HTML).