BEARING INFORMATION ON A CARD

• US 20110208648A1
• Filed: 08/19/2009
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samba Financial Group (Saudi National Bank)
• Original Assignee: Samba Financial Group (Saudi National Bank)
• Inventors: Alothaimeen, Ahmad Abdullah
• Application Number:
  US13/059,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20110208648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0702 the arrangement including a battery
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems

Abstract

A financial transaction card is supplemented by position determining means which determines position coordinates for the card. The determined position is compared with a predetermined position stored in the memory to provide bearing data on the predetermined position from the position of the card. The card also includes a display for indicating the bearing. The card is particularly useful for indicating the bearing of the Kaaba from the position of the card.

Claims

1. A financial transaction card comprising:

means for storing data;

position determining means operable to determine position data for the card;

means for comparing a determined position for the card from the position determining means with a predetermined position stored in the means for storing and to provide bearing data on the predetermined position from the determined position of the card; and

output means for indicating the said bearing.

2. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the output means are a display, for example a liquid crystal display or an electrochromic panel.

3. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the output means depict a variable marker indicating the predetermined position.

4. A card as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a source of electrical power arranged to provide power to the position determining means, the means for comparing and the output means.

5. A card as claimed in claim 4 in which the source includes an electrical storage cell.

6. A card as claimed in claim 4 in which the source of electrical power is rechargeable

7. A card as claimed in claim 4 in which the source includes a solar cell.

8. A card as claimed in claim 7 in which the solar cell is arranged to charge an electrical storage cell.

9. A card as claimed in claim 8 in which the card is operable to receive power from a source external to the card

10. A card as claimed in claim 1 comprising an interface connected with the position determining means for enabling external data to be loaded into the card and stored in the means for storing data.

11. A card as claimed in claim 10 in which the interface is arranged to receive a user input for determining the position data.

12. A card as claimed in claim 11 in which the interface displays a set of locations each selectable by the user as the input of a location for determining the position data.

13. A card as claimed in claim 1 including processor means arranged to control the operation of the means for storing, the position determining means and the output means.

14. A card as claimed in claim 1 including compass means for providing compass data for the orientation of the card.

15. A card as claimed in claim 14 in which the compass means are an electronic compass.

16. A card as claimed in claim 14 in which the compass means include a flux gate compass and means for indicating a compass heading of the card.

17. A card as claimed in claim 1 including second interface means operably connected with the position determining means for exchanging data with an external device.

18. A card as claimed in claim 13 in which the processor means are operable for transacting financial procedures with an external device.

19. A card as claimed in claim 13 in which the processor means also comprise the means for comparing.

20. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the position determining means comprise a receiver for receiving signals containing data for use by the position determining means.

21. A card as claimed in claim 20 in which the receiver is arranged to receive signals from a satellite navigation system

22. A card as claimed in claim 20 in which the receiver comprises an antenna, for example a dipole attached to the card.

23. A card as claimed in claim 22 in which the antenna comprises two co-planar elements which are substantially at a right angle and each element has one end proximal to a corner of the card.

24. A card as claimed in claim 20 in which the position determining means include a GPS receiver.

25. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for storing data are operable to store the position data for the card determined by the position determining means.

26. A card as claimed in claim 25 in which the means for comparing are operable to use the position data for the card when the position determining means are inactive.

27. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the card comprises orientation determining means for determining the orientation of the card.

28. A card as claimed in claim 27 in which the means for comparing are operable for determining the said bearing data relative to the orientation of the card from the orientation determining means.

29. A card as claimed in claim 27 in which the orientation determining means comprises angle determining means for determining an angle of the card relative to the horizontal plane, and is operable to determine the angle of the Earth'"'"'s magnetic field relative to the horizontal plane from the card location coordinates for use by the orientation determining means in determining the orientation of the card.

30. A card as claimed in claim 29 in which the angle determining means comprises an accelerometer.

31. A card as claimed in claim 1 in which the card comprises means for enabling a user to actuate the card to indicate the said bearing.

32. A card as claimed in claim 31 in which the means for enabling are operable to cause the position determining means to determine position data when the card is actuated.

33. A card as claimed in claim 31 in which the means for enabling comprises a pressable switch.

34. In combination a financial transaction card, having a first source of electrical power, and a charging device having means for transferring energy for storage by the first source and a body for receiving the card in an energy transferring relationship therewith.

35. The combination of claim 34 in which the charging device has a second source of electrical power.

36. The combination of claim 35 in which the charging device is connectable to a mains power source to recharge the second power source.

37. The combination of claim 34 in which the body defines a slot for receiving the card in the energy transferring relationship.

38. The combination of claim 34 in which the card and the body each comprise electrical contacts which engage when the card is in the energy transferring relationship.

39. A financial transaction card comprising processing means and storage means for storage of electrical energy which are operably connected with the processing means, and means for receiving energy for charging the storage means with electrical energy.