Advanced wireless phone system

• US 20020188575A1
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles C. Freeny, Jr. (Freeny)
• Original Assignee: Charles C. Freeny, Jr. (Freeny)
• Inventors: Freeny, Charles C. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/212,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20020188575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/208 Use of an ATM as a switch or hub
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A Wireless Phone/pager system is modified to allow an owner to have proximity services such as toll tag access, ATM dispensing, gas pump dispensing, store credit card checkout, television remote control, garage door access, and more services using their wireless Phone/pager. The modification is accomplished in such a way that the existing wireless phone/pager/palm computer systems and the proximity device processing units require very little modification but produce a truly Advanced Wireless Phone/pager/palm computer System (AWPS). The AWPS can be appended in a seamless manner to the existing wireless communication and proximity service provider systems in current use. The new system virtually eliminates the need to carry multiple credit cards and access devices such as toll tags. Another feature of the invention is the built-in finger print detector unit which automatically provides unique owner codes which can be used to either replace or supplement the PIN codes usually required with the proximity service providers. The system may also combine multiple proximity billing services with the Phone/pager service provider, i.e., another convenience that would be greatly appreciated by the consumer.

Claims

1. A system for providing a predetermined service to effect a transaction, comprising:

a plurality of proximity service providers, each of the proximity service providers adapted to provide a different predetermined service, each of the proximity service providers comprising;

a proximity receiver unit for receiving at least one personal information code;

an output unit receiving the personal information code from the proximity receiver unit for outputting the personal information code to a third party to obtain validation before providing the predetermined service to effect the transaction;

a wireless unit separate from the proximity service provider, the wireless unit comprising;

a portable housing adapted to be carried by an individual;

a memory unit supported by the housing, the memory unit storing, prior to initiation of the transaction, at least one personal information code in a manner capable of being retrieved; and

a communication unit supported by the housing for receiving information from a communication service provider and for retrieving and outputting the personal information code to the proximity receiver unit of the proximity service provider, without effecting the communication service provider, to activate the proximity service provider and thereby effect the transaction.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two separate personal information codes are stored in the memory unit and wherein the communication unit is further defined as outputting one of the personal information codes selected by the individual.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless unit includes a telephone transmitter unit for transmitting the information to the communication service provider.

4. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein the communication unit includes a high power transmitter mode for communicating with the communication service provider and a low power transmitter mode for outputting the personal information code to the proximity service provider located within a predetermined proximity distance.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint detector unit supported by the housing and positioned to receive at least a portion of an individual'"'"'s finger so as to selectively generate a fingerprint code indicative of at least a portion of the fingerprint of the individual.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication unit is capable of about simultaneously outputting signals to the communication service provider and the proximity service provider located within a predetermined proximity distance.

7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless unit is a telephone.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless unit is a pager.

9. A method for providing a predetermined service to effect a transaction, comprising:

transporting, by an individual, a wireless unit in close proximity to one of a plurality of proximity service providers with each proximity service provider adapted to provide a different predetermined service upon activation;

storing at least one personal information code in a manner capable of being retrieved in a memory unit of the wireless unit;

communicating, via the wireless unit, with a communication service provider after the personal information code is stored in the memory unit of the wireless unit;

outputting, via the wireless unit, the personal information code to the proximity service provider, without effecting the communication service provider;

receiving, via the proximity service provider, the personal information code output by the wireless unit; and

outputting, via the proximity service provider, the personal information code to a third party to obtain validation before providing the predetermined service.

10. The method defined in claim 9, wherein at least two separate personal information codes are stored in the memory unit and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting, by the individual, one of the personal information codes.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of communicating, via the wireless unit, is further defined as communicating via a telephone transmitter unit of the wireless unit for communicating with the communication service provider.

12. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the method is further defined as the communicating with the communication service provider in a high power transmitter mode and outputting, via the wireless unit, the personal information code to the proximity service provider in a low-power mode.

13. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of positioning the individual'"'"'s finger on a fingerprint detector unit supported by the wireless unit and selectively generating a fingerprint code indicative of at least a portion of the fingerprint of the individual.

14. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the steps of communicating and outputting occur about simultaneously.

15. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the wireless unit is a telephone.

16. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the wireless unit is a pager.

18. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising the step of inserting at least one personal information code into the memory unit from a location remote from the wireless telephone.

19. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising the steps of automatically receiving a proximity service code from one of the proximity service providers, and automatically outputting the personal information code responsive to the reception of the proximity service code.

20. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein the proximity service provider is further defined as a toll booth unit.

21. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein the proximity service provider is further defined as a store checkout station.

22. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein the proximity service provider is further defined as an ATM unit.

23. The method as defined in claim 17, wherein the proximity service provider is further defined as a gas station pump unit.

17. A method for providing communication services, comprising the steps of:

converting, via a wireless telephone, voice and keyboard information to be transmitted to a communication service provider located remotely from the wireless telephone via a telephone transmitter unit;

receiving information by a telephone receiver unit of the wireless telephone from the communication service provider;

outputting the information received by the telephone receiver unit in a format perceivable by an individual;

storing at least one personal information code in a manner capable of being retrieved in the wireless telephone;

transporting the wireless unit in close proximity to one of a plurality of proximity service providers with each proximity service provider adapted to provide a different predetermined service upon activation;

outputting, via the wireless telephone, the personal information code to one of the proximity service providers, without effecting the communication service provider, whereby upon receipt of the personal information code the proximity service provider is activated to provide a predetermined service.