Multimedia communicator utilized to offer dedicated services

• US 8,238,926 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 1st Communications Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scott Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, Scott W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US11/686,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20080227437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,973 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/451, 455/456.1, 455/405, 455/422.1, 455/67.1, 455/414.3, 455/525, 455/412.3, 370/264, 705/28, 705/51, 709/206
• US Class Current: 455/451
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

A multimedia communicator is disclosed. The multimedia communicator comprises a processing unit; and a storage device coupled to the processing unit. The multimedia communicator further includes a plurality of interfaces to allow the multimedia communicator to offer a user a plurality of services. The MMC which includes a microprocessor computing system may be located in a car, for example, or within a handset similar to handsets presently utilized for cell phones. The MMC may be connected to a WiFi Internet connection, a cellular network, a satellite radio or equivalent satellite network, or to other available wireless networks. Additionally, the MMC has the potential to interface with GPS signals as desired.

Claims

1. A multimedia communicator (MMC) comprising:

a processing unit;

a storage device coupled to the processing unit;

a plurality of interfaces to allow the multimedia communicator to offer dedicated services, wherein a hybrid environment allows the storage capability within the multimedia communicator to store GPS information, WiFi provider information, and cellular provider information such that switching may occur back and forth between input sources and output sources;

a hybrid multimedia communicator (MMH) in the hybrid environment that includes a network center in communication with the MMC, wherein a protocol technology includes information comprising subscription rules for WiFi and cellular providers, connectivity and cost requirements for providing all levels of quality, procedures for quality and cost optimization services, and information to determine the best WiFi and cellular providers to utilize for a specific area, further wherein the information is utilized to determine which services should be selected to provide least cost voice and data, thereby creating intelligent roaming; and

a hybrid multimedia communicator protocol, wherein the hybrid multimedia communicator protocol determines partnerships between unique cellular providers resulting in a telephony protocol standard which is independent of individual WiFi or cellular providers;

wherein a network centric functioning is provided by downloading maps from a network center based upon location; and

wherein the network centric function provides traffic information, weather, customized local radio services, traffic speed or sign, recognition warnings, road conditions and incorporation of information based on weather and traffic.

2. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the dedicated services comprise media controller services.

3. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the dedicated services comprise geographic or location based services.

4. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the dedicated services comprise gaming services.

5. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the dedicated services comprise anti-theft services.

6. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the MMC includes presets of media channels.

7. The multimedia communicator of claim 6 wherein the presets comprise any and any combination of presets for Internet radio stations, Internet video stations, digital and analog radio and television.

8. The multimedia communicator of claim 6 wherein channels can be selected via time slots.

9. The multimedia communicator of claim 6 wherein data provided by the media channel is based upon type.

10. The multimedia communicator of claim 8 wherein data is searchable via specific words for a specific data requirement.

11. The multimedia communicator of claim 10 wherein a component is provided which allows for an integrated transaction space with the MMC.

12. The multimedia communicator of claim 11 wherein the component comprises a credit/debit card reader, a credit card emulator, and a RFID/BLUETOOTH/wireless—

credit card, signature recognition, virtual checks interface program, slot, point of sale (POS) interface, credit display, check evaluation/printer and a handwriting recognition module.

13. The multimedia communicator of claim 12 wherein to obtain information which embodies a specific credit card, the user slides an existing credit card through the credit card reader which stores the information in an encrypted or secure fashion within the MMC.

14. The multimedia communicator of claim 12 wherein the credit card emulator operates any one of and any combination of three modes:

in a first mode a magnetic strip simulator is ejected from the MMC and allows the user to swipe the MMC magnetic playback strip;

in a second mode, a single magnetic head is utilized; and

in the third mode, RFID/BLUETOOTH/wireless connectivity is used through the POS interface to link to relevant billing and accounting systems.

15. The multimedia communicator of claim 14 wherein a full representation of the credit can be displayed on the credit card display.

16. The multimedia communicator of claim 15 wherein a secure transaction is verified by the input of a user'"'"'s pin number via the keypad or by a signed credit card receipt via the handwriting recognition module.

17. The multimedia communicator of claim 1 wherein the dedicated services comprise system condition warning services.

18. A multimedia communicator (MMC) comprising:

a processing unit;

a storage device coupled to the processing unit;

a plurality of interfaces to allow the multimedia communicator to offer dedicated services, wherein a hybrid environment allows the storage capability within the multimedia communicator to store GPS information, WiFi provider information, and cellular provider information such that switching may occur back and forth between input sources and output sources;

a hybrid multimedia communicator (MMH) in the hybrid environment that includes a network center in communication with the MMC, wherein a protocol technology includes information comprising subscription rules for WiFi and cellular providers, connectivity and cost requirements for providing all levels of quality, procedures for quality and cost optimization services, and information to determine the best WiFi and cellular providers to utilize for a specific area, further wherein the information is utilized to determine which services should be selected to provide least cost voice and data, thereby creating intelligent roaming; and

a hybrid multimedia communicator protocol, wherein the hybrid multimedia communicator protocol determines partnerships between unique cellular providers resulting in a telephony protocol standard which is independent of individual WiFi or cellular providers;

wherein a peer to peer functioning is provided by sharing maps based upon location; and

wherein the peer to peer function provides traffic information, weather, customized local radio services, traffic speed or sign, recognition warnings, road conditions and incorporation of information based on weather and traffic.