Apparatus and process for sending a wireless directional signal containing personal information

• US 6,799,035 B1
• Filed: 09/12/2000
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Cousins
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Cousins
• Inventors: Cousins, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US09/660,004
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/422.1, 455/414.1, 455/517, 455/403, 455/412.1, 455/567, 455/556.1, 455/550.1, 340/5--, 235/375
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for wirelessly transmitting a packet of information from one user to another user. The apparatus relates to a transponder device that contains a controller, and a memory unit, that contains a program for controlling the controller. The transponder also contains a transceiver connected to both the controller and to a directional antenna wherein the transceiver is for receiving and transmitting wireless signals from one transponder to another. There is also a button for initiating a wireless transmission, a display for displaying a received transmission and an indicator for indicating a user when he or she has received a transmission. Essentially this device is designed to transmit and receive email addresses from one user to another in a defined area. The user transmitting the email address uses the directional antenna to direct the email address at another person who is also holding a transponder. The user then presses the button and sends this wireless transmission to the other user whereby this user receives an indication from an indicator that the transmission has been received. Next the user that received this message can look at the display to see the email address that was most recently transmitted.

Claims

1. A portable transponder device for wireless interaction with another user'"'"'s portable transponder comprising:

a) a housing;

b) at least one controller disposed within said housing;

c) at least one memory unit connected to said at least one controller, for housing at least one program designed to control said at least one controller;

d) at least one display connected to said at least one controller;

e) at least one transceiver, connected to said at least one controller, for receiving and transmitting wireless signals;

f) at least one directional antenna, connected in said transceiver, for sending a directional signal to the another user;

g) at least one signal initiator, wherein when said signal initiator is activated, the device sends a packet of information in a form of an email address through said at least one transceiver on through said directional antenna, to another portable transponder device for reception wherein said portable transponder device is for interpersonal communication between a first user an a selected second user to convey information between said first and said selected second user.

2. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one controller sends indentification information with said packet of information to said at least one transceiver to send this information to another user.

3. The portable transponder device as in claim 2, wherein said at least one controller sends time and date information with said packet of information to said at least one transceiver to send this information to another user.

4. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said directional antenna transmits a signal at approximately 900 Mhz.

5. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein the portable transponder device has a range of no more than 100 meters.

6. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said display is an LCD display.

7. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one memory unit is designed to store a series of email addresses received from an adjacent portable transponder device.

8. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one controller applies a code to said packet of information so that only a series of transponder device that are in co-operation with the portable transponder device sending information receive said packet of information.

9. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, further comprising an input/output terminal designed to allow information stored in said at least one memory unit to be download or upload to an adjacent computer.

10. The portable transponder device as in claim 9, wherein said input/output device is a wireless connection with said adjacent computer.

11. The portable transponder device as in claim 9, wherein said input/device is a wired connection with said adjacent computer.

12. The portable transponder device as in claim 11, wherein said input/output device is a serial connection with said adjacent computer.

13. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, further comprising an indicator to indicate when the portable transponder device receives said packet of information from another portable transponder device.

14. The portable transponder device as in claim 13, wherein said indicator is a vibrating mechanism designed to vibrate the portable transponder device when portable the transponder device receiver said packet of information.

15. The portable transponder device as in claim 13, wherein said indicator is a noise maker, that makes an indicating noise when the portable transponder device receives said packet of information.

16. The portable transponder device as in claim 13, wherein said indicator is a visual indicator designed to send a visual signal when the portable transponder device receives said packet of information.

17. The portable transponder device as in claim 16, wherein said visual indicator is enclosed in said at least one display.

18. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said housing is pen shaped.

19. The portable transponder device as in claim 1, wherein said housing is a cellular phone housing.

20. The portable transponder device as in claim 19, wherein said transponder device is connected to a set of electrical components of a cellular phone.