Mobile phone communications system with increased functionality

• US 20040077372A1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John W. Halpern
• Original Assignee: John W. Halpern
• Inventors: Halpern, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,251,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/353 Payments by cards read by M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile telephone and a smart card transaction system in combination, where the functionality of a mobile telephone is increased so that the phone can be used in a large range of transactions for which smart cards are normally used. The phone may also be provided with a slot to receive smart cards and re-charge them with funds for cashless transactions, by communicating with a bank account or the like.

Claims

1. A carrier for information and selective information exchange and communication with an external processing device;

said carrier comprising two parts, the first part being substantially flat and comprising integrated electronic circuitry and data input means arranged on its surface, the second part having substantially the same dimensions as the first part and comprising display means;

the first and second parts being hingedly connected together by a flexible insulating sheet material attached to both parts; and

wherein the first and second parts are electrically connected by one or more bundles of wires embedded in said flexible insulating sheet material, said wires adapted to provide power to said display and to transmit signals from said data input means and said display.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said flexible insulating sheet material comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein at least one of said layers carries a twin-loop antenna on which a computer chip is bonded.

3. An electronic display system utilising a digital communication network and based on LED display techniques, comprising diode pixels which have applied to them a bias voltage differential V1 which is below the trigger voltage V₀ (at which the individual pixel becomes light emitting) and wherein there is a third electrode (the trigger electrode) for each pixel connectable to the stream of serial data pulses from the said communication network which raise the voltage pulse level above V₀, and wherein the crystal substance of the display pixels is infused with preferably photosensitive impurity elements capable of releasing fresh free electrons into the space charge of the crystal matrix as soon as light emission begins resulting in a stable lowering of the said initial threshold voltage V₀ to a new level V2 which, being below V1, permits the selected pixel to remain alight after the respective data pulse has gone, until ouch time as the applied voltage differential V1 is further lowered or altogether removed from all the pixels of the display in general.

4. A mobile telephone comprising a coupling loop and an oscillator circuit adapted to emit a standard frequency used in contactless cards, said telephone adapted to transmit signals to such a card, said telephone comprising:

means for receiving messages via the telephone network;

the mobile telephone further comprising means for adjusting the resonance point of the combined inductance of the coupling loop and a card coupling loop when said telephone and said card are in communicating relationship;

further comprising an oscillator source whose frequency is adaptable to the frequency of the carrier signal of said smart contactless card; and

means for translating said messages into signals using the same modulation mode as that of the card carrier signal.

6. A mobile telephone according to claim 4, further comprising a separate ear-piece adapted to be electrically attached to the audio circuitry of the telephone.

7. A mobile telephone according to claim 4, 5 or 6, further comprising a slot adapted to receive a smart card.

8. A mobile telephone as claimed in any of claims 4, 5, 6 or 7, further comprising means for storing a plurality of modulation modes corresponding to standard card modulation modes, such that the modulation mode of the telephone can be preset to one of said standard modulation modes.

9. A mobile telephone as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, further comprising security means so as to prevent value data conveyed from a bank to sa hone being transferred simultaneously to the card to a memory of the phone.

5. A mobile telephone comprising a coupling loop and an oscillator circuit adapted to emit-a standard frequency used in contactless cards;

means for receiving messages via the telephone network;

the mobile telephone further comprising means for adjusting the resonance point of the combined inductance of the coupling loop and a card coupling loop of a card in communicating relationship with the telephone, the telephone further comprising an oscillator source (47) whose frequency is adaptable to the frequency of communication of smart contactless cards and whose modulation mode is adaptable to the specification of said card, the telephone further comprising a coupling loop (50) tuneable (50a) to the midpoint of the combined resonance of said loop and the card antenna loop when the card is placed into its coupling condition in relation to the phone.

10. A mobile telephone having means for receiving a smart card, means for communicating with a financial account remote from said mobile phone;

means for transferring information relating to a value of money from said account to said smart card.