Portable communication device

• US 6,424,845 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Graham I., Emmoft, Stephen J., Woods, Sarah
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHARLES CHIANG
• Application Number:
  US09/335,804
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575, 455/550, 455/558, 455/31.3, 455/458, 455/412, 455/414, 370/346, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [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 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable communication device. The communication device comprises a housing which accommodates a number of components enabling the user to effect two-way communications including data transfer and personal communications. The components include a selectively operable smart card sensor, a display device, a mobile electronic data communications facility to receive and transmit data communications, and a data transaction processing means in data communication with the smart card sensor, the display device and the data communications facility.

Claims

1. A method or transmitting advertising information to a prospective customer, comprising the following steps;

a) transmitting a generalized message to all customers within an area outside a retail store, but in a vicinity of the retail store;

b) receiving replies from transmitters carried by customers, which replies identify the customers; and

c) transmitting different advertising messages to at least two respective customers, in response to the replies.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said advertising messages containing one or more of the following:

i) descriptions of merchandise for sale;

ii) descriptions of purchases available at discount prices; and

iii) credit facilities available to the customers.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making payment for a purchase in a wireless manner.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a smart card reader.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making a biometric identification of a person.

6. A method of transmitting information to prospective customers, comprising the following steps:

a) transmitting call signs by radio from a retail store, each of which identifies a prospective customer;

b) receiving responses by radio from devices carried by customers located outside the retail store, which responses

i) respond to the call signs, and

ii) identify the customers; and

c) in reply to the responses, transmitting multiple different messages, each accompanied by a call sign identifying a customer.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making payment for a purchase in a wireless manner.

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises a smart card reader.

9. Method according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making a biometric identification of a person.

10. A method of interacting with customers who are equipped with portable devices, which the customers carry from their homes to various retail establishment, each device containing

(1) a call sign which distinguishes it from other of the portable devices, and

(2) means for

A) receiving a group of call signs from a retail store,

B) detecting the device'"'"'s own call sign within the group, and

C) transmitting a reply in response to the detected call sign, which reply advises tile retail store that the device is within the vicinity of the retail store;

the method comprising;

a) broadcasting a group of call signs in the vicinity of the retail location;

b) when a first of said replies is received from a portable device, transmitting a message together with the call sign of the device making the reply; and

c) when a second, different, of said replies is;

received, transmitting a second, different message together with the call sign of the second device making the second reply.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making payment for a purchase in a wireless manner.

12. Method according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises a smart card reader.

13. Method according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises apparatus for making a biometric identification of a person.