Remote rechargeable prepaid cellular service peripheral device

• US 20030083042A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maher Abuhamdeh
• Original Assignee: Maher Abuhamdeh
• Inventors: Abuhamdeh, Maher
• Application Number:
  US10/313,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083042A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/92 Autonomous calculations of charges in terminal, i.e. meter not controlled from exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An integrated prepaid cellular service and telephone unit including a cellular transceiver, a storage unit, a processor; and a credit/debit card interface. In a further aspect, the invention includes code for contacting a cellular provider, transmitting user debit/credit information, receiving a quantity of pre-paid cellular service units, storing the units, and allowing use of the cellular transceiver as long as said units does not equal zero.

Claims

1. An integrated prepaid cellular service and telephone unit, comprising:

a cellular transceiver;

a storage unit;

a processor; and

a debit card interface.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said cellular transceiver is a GSM transceiver.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the cellular transceiver is a CDMA transceiver.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the cellular transceiver is a TDMA device.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the storage unit is a credit card-sized smart card.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the storage unit is a SIM-type smart card.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the storage unit is integrated into the telephone unit.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the debit/credit card interface is a magnetic card reader.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the debit card interface is a smart card interface.

10. An integrated prepaid cellular service and telephone unit, comprising:

a cellular transceiver;

a storage unit;

a processor; and

code for contacting a cellular provider, transmitting user debit/credit information, receiving a quantity of pre-paid cellular service units, storing the units, and allowing use of the cellular transceiver as long as said units does not equal zero.

11. The unit of claim 10, further including a debit/credit card interface.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein the debit/credit card interface is a magnetic card reader.

13. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein the debit card interface is a smart card interface.

14. A system for providing a communication service, comprising:

a communication transceiver, including a user debit storage apparatus, a memory and a processor; and

a transaction system, communicating with the processor, providing a signal denoting authorization to access the communication service to the processor for a period of time responsive to the user debit storage apparatus, said period of time being stored in said memory.

15. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said communication transceiver is a GSM transceiver.

16. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein the communication transceiver is a CDMA transceiver.

17. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein the communication transceiver is a TDMA device.

18. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein memory and processor are provided in a SIM-type smart card.

19. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein memory and processor are integrated into the transceiver.

20. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein the transceiver includes a magnetic card reader.

21. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein the transceiver includes a smart card interface.

22. A method for distributing pre-paid wireless service;

(A) receiving debit card information from a communication transceiver;

(B) verifying user debit card information and authorizing a transaction; and

(C) outputting a signal enabling operation of the communication transceiver for a period of time.