Methods of operating a reservation system using electronic device cover with embedded transponder

• US 20050085226A1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Michael C. Pennington, Randall C. Roberts, Steven A. Shaw, Thomas W. Zalewski
• Inventors: Shaw, Steven A., Zalewski, Thomas W., Roberts, Randall C., Pennington, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,133,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• 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 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• 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 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• 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: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A changeable cover for an electronic device and method of using same in a payment system is provided. The cover has a transponder responsive to interrogation by an electric field. The cover provides an electronic identification number and other information in response to the interrogation signal. Also provided is a system for making payments, comprising at least one mobile station (4) which has an associated cover (100) for providing local data transfer. The system also comprises at least one point of sale terminal or the like, which has a second transceiver for providing data transfer.

Claims

1. A module for providing a means of local data transfer to and from an electronic device having a housing said module comprising:

a means of removably attaching said module to said housing; and

transponder circuitry responsive to an interrogation signal to communicate with a remote station via wireless communication.

2. The module of claim 1 further comprising:

a memory means for storing digital data.

3. The module of claim 2 further comprising wherein memory is preloaded with digital data representing digital cash.

4. A system for effecting payments, wherein the system comprises:

at least one mobile station comprising;

an application,

means for using the application, and

a removable module coupled to said mobile station comprising a transponder for providing a first means of local data transfer;

wherein said system for effecting payments further comprises;

at least one payment reception terminal which has a second means for providing local data transfer, said second means for providing local data transfer being coupled to said first means for providing local data transfer through a wireless interface; and

wherein the application comprises means for transferring data between the first means for providing local data transfer and the second means for providing local data transfer through said wireless interface, for registering a payment transaction in the payment reception terminal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one payment reception terminal is a parking meter.

6. An electronic parking meter for receiving an electronic payment comprising:

a power source;

an interrogator coupled to power source for creating an electromagnetic field;

a first antenna for receiving an electronic impulse comprising electronic identification information; and

means for processing electronic payment.

7. The parking meter of claim 6, wherein the means processing electronic payment is a processor couple to a means for storing data.

8. The parking meter of claim 7, wherein the means processing electronic payment a wireless communication terminal, said wireless communication terminal capable of communicating with a central authorization authority.

9. A battery for use with an portable electronic apparatus, comprising:

an energy collection means to collect radio frequency energy when battery is within reading range of an RFID reader;

an energy storage means for storing energy and providing power;

a plurality of leads for relying power from said energy storage means; and

an isolation means coupled between said energy storage means and plurality of conductive leads, wherein current is prevented from being conducted from energy storage means to said electronic device via plurality of leads.

10. A method for operating a payment system that includes a first, user terminal and a second terminal, the first, user terminal having at least one application, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through a wireless interface;

receiving a menu message on said first, user terminal comprising a plurality of items for selection;

selecting one or more items from said plurality of items;

sending a selection message comprising information regarding said selected items to said second terminal;

receiving an amount to pay message on first, user terminal in response to said selection message, said amount to pay message comprising transaction information;

entering information into the first, user terminal specifying that a payment be made from the first, user terminal to the second terminal;

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through an electromagnetic induction interrogator; and

registering a payment transaction with the second terminal and the at least one application.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of items are food items.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of items are films offered by a multiplex theater and further comprising the step of:

receiving confirmation message regarding theater number in which selected film is being presented.

13. A method for operating a reservation system that includes a first, user terminal and a second terminal, the first, user terminal having at least one application, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through a wireless interface;

receiving a menu message on said first, user terminal comprising a questions regarding needs of user in order to create a criteria information message;

sending said criteria information message comprising information regarding needs of the user to said second terminal;

receiving a second menu message on said first, user terminal comprising a plurality of available items meeting said user criteria;

selecting one or more items from said plurality of items;

sending a selection message comprising information regarding said selected items to said second terminal

receiving an amount to pay message on first, user terminal in response to said selection message comprising transaction information;

entering information into the first, user terminal specifying that a payment be made from the first, user terminal to the second terminal;

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through an electromagnetic induction interrogator;

registering a payment transaction with the second terminal and the at least one application; and

receiving location information of said selected item and an electronic code for unlocking said item.

15. The method of claims 13, or 14, wherein the reservation system is a hotel reservation system and the item is a hotel room.

16. The method of claim 13, or 14, wherein the reservation system is a motor vehicle rental reservation system and the item is a motor vehicle.

14. A method for operating a reservation system that includes a first, user terminal, a second terminal, and a reserved item with an electronic lock, the first, user terminal having at least one application and a confirmation code, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the second terminal through a wireless interface;

sending a confirmation message to said second terminal, said message comprising said confirmation code;

receiving a location message on said first, user terminal comprising location information of reserved item and an electronic code to unlock reserved item;

establishing a communication link from the at least one application to the lock of said item through an electromagnetic induction interrogator; and

sending said electronic code to said electronic lock.