Removable card for use in a communication unit

• US 7,708,197 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schilling, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US11/586,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20070034690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/382, 379143-155, 379550-575, 455 73- 90, 455/558, 455403-466, 705/1, 705/28, 705/500
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8353 during the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/842 Announcement, e.g. IVR dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/852 Low balance or limit reached
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/106 using commercial credit or debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/12 using calling, telephone credit/debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/14 using commercial credit/debit cards, e.g. VISA, AMEX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/2518 : from material card, using a magnetic stripe card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/255 : local at the terminal itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 : Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7027 : Activate new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8112 : during the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8133 : Announcement, e.g. IVR dialogue, intelligent peripheral or switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8158 : Low balance or limit reached
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A removable computer chip module for use in a communication unit is disclosed. The communication unit also includes a transceiver, an interface in communication with the removable computer chip module, and a controller in communication with the interface. The controller configured to receive a first access number stored on the removable computer chip module. The controller is further configured to control a transceiver in the communication unit such that the transceiver transmits the first access number to access a cellular network and receives a second access number. The controller is further configured to control the transceiver such that the transceiver transmits the second access number to the cellular network for subsequent access to the cellular network. The controller is further configured to receive count information associated with calls from the removable computer chip module.

Claims

1. A communication unit comprising:

a transceiver;

an interface in communication with a removable computer chip module; and

a controller in communication with the interface, the controller configured to receive a first access number stored on the removable computer chip module, wherein the first access number is used to access a cellular network;

wherein the controller is further configured to control the transceiver such that the transceiver transmits the first access number to the cellular network and receives a second access number;

wherein the controller is further configured to control the transceiver such that the transceiver transmits the second access number to the cellular network for subsequent access to the cellular network;

wherein the controller is further configured to receive count information associated with calls from the removable computer chip module.

2. The communication unit of claim 1 further comprising a display device, wherein the controller is configured to display indicia of count information associated with calls on the display device.

3. The communication unit of claim 1 wherein the count information is used to calculate call costs.

4. The communication unit of claim 3 further comprising a display device, wherein the controller is configured to display indicia of calculated call costs on the display device.

5. The communication unit of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to exchange telephone numbers and addresses with the removable computer chip module.

6. The communication unit of claim 1 further comprising the removable computer chip module in communication with the interface, wherein the removable module comprises a processor.

7. The communication unit of claim 6 wherein the processor is configured to access an application outside of the removable computer chip module.

8. The communication unit of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive spread spectrum signals.

9. The communication unit of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit spread spectrum signals to conduct a local transaction.

10. The communication unit of claim 1 further comprising a speaker.

11. The communication unit of claim 10 wherein the speaker is configured to produce a sound when the count information crosses a threshold.

12. The communication unit of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to control the transceiver to provide signals to conduct a local purchase of a service.