Andre Henderson
Inventor of the Remote Credit Card Machine U.S. patent #5,603,078 granted on February 11 1997 Andre Henderson invented a remote control device with credit card reading and transmission capabilities. Patent US8676707 – Credit cards system.
Worldwide applications
1995 US
Remote control device with credit card reading and transmission capabilities having multiple IR LEDs
Patent number: 5603078
Abstract: An infrared remote control unit including an integrated card reading device. The unit is used for purchasing products or services offered via a television monitor, such that the unit transfers data to a receiver connected to a television monitor connected via at least one modem to a control computer for processing and purchase authorization. The unit includes a card reader for reading data encoded on a magnetic stripe of a card. A microprocessor operatively connected to the card reader receives and reformats the encoded data. A transmitter connected to the microprocessor transmits the reformatted data to the receiver for the purchase.
Type: Grant
Filed: September 15, 1995
Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
Assignee: Spectravision, Inc.
Inventors: Andre D. Henderson, William H. Fuller, James M. Rotenberry
Andere Henderson is an American inventor recognized for his contributions to early interactive consumer technology, particularly in the integration of remote control systems with electronic payment capabilities. His work reflects forward-thinking innovation during a period when digital commerce and home-based purchasing were still in their infancy.
In the mid-1990s, Henderson collaborated on the development of a multifunctional remote control device that combined traditional television navigation with financial transaction capabilities. This innovation led to the granting of U.S. Patent No. 5,603,078 on February 11, 1997. The patent described a system that allowed users to make purchases directly through their television using a handheld remote equipped with a magnetic card reader.
The device operated by reading data from a credit card’s magnetic stripe, which was then processed by an internal microprocessor. The information was reformatted and transmitted via infrared signals to a receiver connected to a television system. From there, the data could be sent through communication networks to a central computer for transaction authorization. This design effectively introduced an early model of interactive television commerce, enabling users to shop from home using a single device.
Henderson’s invention was significant because it anticipated modern technologies such as smart TVs, digital payments, and e-commerce platforms integrated with media systems. By merging entertainment and purchasing functions into one interface, his work helped lay conceptual groundwork for today’s connected home environments.
Key Achievement
- Co-inventor of a patented remote control system with integrated credit card processing capability
- Early contributor to the development of interactive television and home-based digital commerce technologies
Legacy
Andre D. Henderson’s innovation represents an important step in the evolution of consumer technology. At a time when online shopping and digital transactions were not yet widespread, his patented system introduced the idea that purchasing could be seamlessly integrated into everyday devices like television remotes. This concept has since become a cornerstone of modern digital ecosystems, demonstrating the lasting relevance of his work in shaping how technology connects entertainment with commerce.