Method and apparatus for using electronic documents within a smart phone

• US 6,622,015 B1
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines SA (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Herman, Himmel, Maria Azua
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/240,960
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/418, 455/419, 455/450, 455/466, 455/412, 455/414, 455/435, 455/406, 455/558, 340/825.44, 340/825.27, 379/114.16, 379/91.01, 709/232, 709/231, 705/75, 705/76, 705/77, 705/26
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages

Abstract

A method and apparatus for using electronic documents within a smart phone. A merchant, legal organization, or other entity provides an electronic document to a subscriber as proof of registration for a service or of legal entitlement. At the time of registration, the subscriber registers a phone number of a phone at which the subscriber desires to receive the issued electronic document. After the electronic document is created, the organization transmits the electronic document to the phone at the registered phone number. The receiving smart phone allows the subscriber to manage the electronic document within the smart phone.

Claims

1. A method for distributing an electronic personal identification card, the method comprising:

registering a wireless communication device which is to receive an electronic personal identification card, the electronic personal identification card including personal identification information which specifically identifies an individual user and which corresponds to a particular benefit or legal right provided to the individual user; and

sending the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device via a wireless communications link, wherein the electronic personal identification card is stored within a memory of the wireless communication device, wherein the method is performed in a communication systems and the particular benefit is a benefit that is provided to the user outside of the communication system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a reminder message to the wireless communication device, the reminder message being associated with the electronic personal identification card and including subject matter associated with the benefit or legal right provided to the individual user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a license to engage in a particular activity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a membership card that identifies the individual user as a part of a group of users that are each provided with the same benefit or legal right.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein registering the wireless communication device includes receiving a phone number associated with the wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising alerting a user of the wireless communication device of a receipt of the electronic personal identification card.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising alerting a user of the wireless communication device of an attempted transfer of the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a user of the wireless communication device with an ability to reject a transfer of the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending an electronic document to the wireless communication device that deletes or invalidates any electronic personal identification cards previously stored in the wireless communication device.

10. An apparatus for distributing an electronic personal identification card, comprising:

means for registering a wireless communication device which is to receive an electronic personal identification card, the electronic personal identification card including personal identification information which specifically identifies an individual user and which corresponds to a particular benefit or legal right provided to the individual user; and

means for sending the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device via a wireless communications link, wherein the electronic personal identification card is stored within a memory of the wireless communication device, wherein the method is performed in a communication systems and the particular benefit is a benefit that is provided to the user outside of the communication system.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

means for sending a reminder message to the wireless communication device, the reminder message being associated with the electronic personal identification card and including subject matter associated with the benefit or legal right provided to the individual user.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a license to engage in a particular activity.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a membership card that identifies the individual user as a part of a group of users that are each provided with a same benefit or legal right.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for registering the wireless communication device includes means for receiving a phone number associated with the wireless communication device.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for alerting a user of the wireless communication device of an attempted transfer of the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for sending an electronic document to the wireless communication device that deletes or invalidates any electronic personal identification cards previously stored in the wireless communication device.

17. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for distributing an electronic personal identification card, comprising:

first instructions for registering a wireless communication device which is to receive an electronic personal identification card, the electronic personal identification card including personal identification information which specifically identifies an individual user and which corresponds to a particular benefit or legal right provided to the individual user; and

second instructions for sending the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device via a wireless communications link, wherein the electronic personal identification card is stored within a memory of the wireless communication device, wherein the method is performed in a communication systems and the particular benefit is a benefit that is provided to the user outside of the communication system.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising:

third instructions for sending a reminder message to the wireless communication device, the reminder message being associated with the electronic personal identification card and including subject matter associated with the benefit or legal right provided to the individual user.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a license to engage in a particular activity.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the electronic personal identification card is a membership card that identifies the individual user as a part of a group of users that are each provided with a same benefit or legal right.

21. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the first instructions for registering the wireless communication device include instructions for receiving a phone number associated with the wireless communication device.

22. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising third instructions for alerting a user of the wireless communication device of a receipt of the electronic personal identification card.

23. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising third instructions for alerting a user of the wireless communication device of an attempted transfer of the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device.

24. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising third instructions for providing a user of the wireless communication device with an ability to reject a transfer of the electronic personal identification card to the wireless communication device.

25. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising third instructions for sending an electronic document to the wireless communication device that deletes or invalidates any electronic personal identification cards previously stored in the wireless communication device.