Method and apparatus for managing information

• US 7,464,863 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Robb, Patricia A., Alberth, William P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze; Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US11/240,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/451, 235/487, 235/492, 705/14, 705/26, 705/41
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3572 Multiple accounts on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

In a method of managing information, information is stored associated with at least one wallet card in an electronic device. An establishment is entered with the electronic device. The location of the establishment is determined. A determination of whether at least one wallet card is associated with the location. Information from the at least one wallet card is outputted in response to the determination of the location is associated with the at least one wallet card.

Claims

1. A method of managing information, the method comprising:

storing information associated with at least one wallet card in a mobile telephone;

entering an establishment with the mobile telephone;

determining a location of the establishment;

determining whether at least one wallet card is associated with the location; and

automatically outputting, on the mobile telephone, information from the at least one wallet card in response to the determination that the location is associated with the at least one wallet card.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a category of at least one wallet card; and

displaying a status of at least one wallet card in response to the category being a rewards card.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

purchasing an item related to the at least one wallet card; and

receiving status information related to the item in response to the purchase of the item.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising storing the status information in the electronic device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein automatically outputting information further comprises:

determining a category of the at least one wallet card; and

automatically outputting, on the mobile telephone, information from the at least one wallet card in response to the category being a gift card and the determination that the location is associated with the at least one wallet card.

6. The method according to claim 5. further comprising transmitting account balance of the at least one wallet card for a purchase of an item.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving status information related to the purchase of the item; and

storing the status information in the mobile telephone.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is entered by scanning the at least one wallet card.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is entered by scanning the at least one wallet card by a camera on the mobile telephone.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one wallet card is a loyalty card.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one wallet card is a gift card.

12. A method of managing information, the method comprising:

storing information associated with at least one wallet card in a wireless telephone;

receiving at least one message from an establishment;

determining whether at least one wallet card is associated with the establishment; and

automatically outputting, on the wireless telephone, information from the at least one wallet card in response to the determination that the establishment is associated with the at least one wallet card.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

determining a category of at least one wallet card; and

displaying a status of at least one wallet card in response to the category being a loyalty card.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

purchasing an item related to the at least one wallet card; and

receiving status information related to the item in response to the purchase of the item.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein automatically outputting information further comprises:

determining a category of the at least one wallet card; and

automatically outputting, on the wireless telephone, information from the at least one wallet card in response to the category being a gift card and the determination that the establishment is associated with the at least one wallet card.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising transmitting account balance of the at least one wallet card for a purchase of an item.

17. An apparatus for managing information, the apparatus comprising:

a wireless telephone further comprising;

a controller

a location determination module configured to interface with the controller;

a memory configured to interface with the controller; and

a scanner module configured to interface with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to store information related to a wallet card being scanned by the scanner module in the memory, determining a location of an establishment with the location determination module, and automatically outputting, on the wireless telephone, information related to the wallet card in response to the determination of the location of the establishment.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the location of the establishment based on a message received from the establishment.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprises a transmitter configured to interface with the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit the information related to the wallet card through the transmitter.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprises a display module configured to interface with the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to display information related to the wallet card on the display module.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the information outputted is an alert when the user enters a predefined distance from an establishment associated with the wallet card.