Telebanking apparatus for transferring money or cash value between two parties in the same country or across national borders, for paying bills and browsing the internet

• US 7,708,191 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin Vega
• Original Assignee: Edwin Vega
• Inventors: Vega, Edwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Koyama; Kumiko C
• Application Number:
  US11/489,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A telebanking apparatus for performing monetary transactions from remote dispersed locations and, more particularly to apparatus for transferring cash value or monetary value between two parties, either nationally or across national borders. The telebanking apparatus is equipped to receive, store and transfer cash value to or from electronic cash value cards, credit cards, debit cards and the like, as well as to use such cash value and credit cards for the electronic payment of bills online. The disclosed apparatus additionally includes a handheld electronic device also providing such value transfer and bill payment services while traveling.

Claims

1. A telebanking apparatus for transferring money or cash value between two parties in the same country or across national borders, for paying bills and browsing the Internet, the apparatus comprising:

a handheld electronic personal digital assistant (PDA) device having mobile phone and wireless network capabilities, the PDA comprising;

a microprocessor based logic system;

a memory means for storing an operating system, application to execute on the logic system of the PDA, and for storage of data;

a mobile phone transmitter and receiver interfaced to the logic system of the PDA, the mobile phone equipped to originate and receive phone calls, as well as to transmit and receive packet data over a mobile telephone network;

a card swipe type card read/write device secured to the PDA, wherein the card read/write device is configured to read credit card information for online purchases or cash value transfer, wherein the card read/write device is configured to readably deduct cash value from and add cash value to cash value transfer cards, wherein the card read/write device is adapted to work with credit cards and value transfer cards employing conventional electronic account methods including magnetic strip and smart card chips;

a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) graphic display screen secured to a front face of the PDA, the screen having touch screen input capabilities;

a biometric finger print scanning input device secured to the front face of the PDA, the biometric device for authenticating the user to enable the PDA for use, the biometric device interfaced to the PDA logic system;

a user input stylus for performing touch sensitive input and writing on the PDA LCD graphic screens, the stylus removably attached to the PDA; and

cash value transfer, transaction encryption, electronic payment, handwriting recognition and Internet browsing software stored to the memory means and executable upon the PDA logic system;

an electronic system base module configured for placing upon and use upon a desktop, the base module comprising;

an electrical power supply for powering components in the base module;

a microprocessor based logic system secured within the base module and powered by the power supply;

a non-volatile read/write storage means interfaced to the microprocessor logic system, the storage means for storing software applications and data, the storage means secured within the base module;

a telephone jack secured to a side of the base module;

a telephone modem interfaced to the microprocessor based logic system and electrically connected to the telephone jack, the modem secured within the base module;

telephone device electronics having incoming call alert, dial out and call answer capabilities, the telephone device electrically connected to the telephone jack;

audio speaker and microphone devices secured to the base module, the audio speaker and microphone providing speakerphone capabilities;

a universal serial bus (USB) port secured to side of the base module, the USB port electrically interfaced to the microprocessor based logic system;

a 10/100 base T network port secured to side of the base module, the network port interfaced to the microprocessor logic system, the network port for connecting the telebanking apparatus to the Internet;

a digital subscriber tine (DSL) modem secured within the base module, the DSL modem electrically interfaced to the telephone jack, the DSL modem interfacing the microprocessor based logic system to a DSL service provider providing connection to the Internet;

a wireless network hub secured within the base module, the hub providing wireless network access to personal computers and other devices through the telebanking apparatus;

a card read/write device, wherein the card read/write device is configured to read credit card information for online purchases or cash value transfer, wherein the card read/write device is configured to readably deduct cash value from and add cash value to cash value transfer cards, wherein the card read/write device is adapted to work with credit cards and value transfer cards employing conventional electronic account methods including magnetic strip and smart card chips;

a hatch hingably attached along one edge to a top portion of the base module, the hatch hingably pivotable between an angled upright open position and a closed position wherein the hatch is pivoted so as to position a bottom face of the hatch in a facing relationship with the top portion of the base module when the hatch is in the closed position, the hatch comprising;

a backlit LCD graphic display screen secured to a top face of the hatch, the screen having touch screen input capabilities;

a biometric finger print scanning input device secured to the top face of the hatch, the biometric device for authenticating the user to enable telebanking apparatus for use;

a means of removably attaching the PDA to a bottom face of the hatch, wherein the PDA is attached to the hatch when the hatch is in the open position; and

an electrical connector secured to the hatch, the connector positioned and configured to electrically connect the PDA to the system base module when the PDA is attached to the hatch, wherein the PDA battery is recharged through the connector from the base module power supply;

one or more wireless antennas secured to the top portion of the base module, the antennas providing wireless radio frequency communication between the base module and detachable devices namely a cordless phone handset and the PDA, as well as the wireless network hub;

a key lock device secured to a top portion of the base module, the key lock device lockably engaging the hatch to mechanically lock the hatch in the closed position; and

cash value transfer, electronic payment, transaction encryption, handwriting recognition and Internet browsing software stored to the memory means and executable upon the logic system of the system base module;

cordless phone handset sized and configured to detachably rest upon the base module spanning over the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position, the cordless phone handset in wireless communication with the telephone device electronics in the base module;

one or more cash value transfer cards, the cash value transfer cards have a rewritable data storage means, the cards sized and adapted for use with the telebanking apparatus;

a stylus feather pen, the stylus pen having a lower portion removably receivable into a depression in the top portion of the base module, the stylus feather pen adapted for performing touch sensitive input and writing upon the LCD graphic display screens, wherein the stylus serves as a user input device; and

a second stylus feather pen having a lower portion removably receivable into a depression in the top portion of the base module, the second stylus pen having an infrared light emitting diode (LED) device and infrared light detector secured to a tip of the second stylus, the infrared LED device and detector for scanning barcodes on bills, the second stylus feather pen having a tip adapted for performing touch sensitive input and writing on the LCD graphic screens.

2. The telebanking apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the memory means of the base module further comprises applications for facsimile send and receive; and

the memory means of the PDA comprises applications for facsimile send and receive.

3. The telebanking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transaction encryption algorithm comprises a triple data encryption standard (DES) encryption algorithm.

4. The telebanking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means of providing cordless communication between the base module and the cordless handset comprises peer to peer Blue Tooth networking protocol.

5. The telebanking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the system base module comprises a hard drive for storing applications and data.

6. The telebanking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the value transfer card promotes the identification status of an individual for departure, arrival and reentry to a country and for government purposes to regulate banking.

7. A telebanking apparatus for transferring money or cash value between two parties in the same country or across national borders, for paying bills and browsing the Internet, the apparatus comprising:

a handheld electronic personal digital assistant (PDA) device having mobile phone and wireless network capabilities, the PDA comprising;

a microprocessor based logic system;

a memory means for storing an operating system, application to execute on the logic system of the PDA, and for storage of data;

a mobile phone transmitter and receiver interfaced to the logic system of the PDA, the mobile phone equipped to originate and receive phone calls, as well as to transmit and receive packet data over a mobile telephone network;

a card swipe type card read/write device secured to the PDA, wherein the card read/write device is configured to read credit card information for online purchases or cash value transfer, wherein the card read/write device is configured to readably deduct cash value from and add cash value to cash value transfer cards, wherein the card read/write device is adapted to work with credit cards and value transfer cards employing conventional electronic account methods including magnetic strip and smart card chips;

a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) graphic display screen secured to a front face of the PDA, the screen having touch screen input capabilities;

a biometric finger print scanning input device secured to the front face of the PDA, the biometric device for authenticating the user to enable the PDA for use, the biometric device interfaced to the PDA logic system;

a user input stylus for performing touch sensitive input and writing on the PDA LCD graphic screens, the stylus removably attached to the PDA; and

cash value transfer, transaction encryption, electronic payment, handwriting recognition and Internet browsing software stored to the memory means and executable upon the PDA logic system;

an electronic system base module configured for placing upon and use upon a desktop, the base module comprising;

an electrical power supply for powering components in the base module;

a microprocessor based logic system secured within the base module and powered by the power supply;

a non-volatile read/write storage means interfaced to the microprocessor logic system, the storage means for storing software applications and data, the storage means secured within the base module;

a telephone jack secured to a side of the base module;

a telephone modem interfaced to the microprocessor based logic system and electrically connected to the telephone jack, the modem secured within the base module;

telephone device electronics having incoming call alert, dial out and call answer capabilities, the telephone device electrically connected to the telephone jack;

audio speaker and microphone devices secured to the base module, the audio speaker and microphone providing speakerphone capabilities;

a universal serial bus (USB) port secured to side of the base module, the USB port electrically interfaced to the microprocessor based logic system;

a 10/100 base T network port secured to side of the base module, the network port interfaced to the microprocessor logic system, the network port for connecting the telebanking apparatus to the Internet;

a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem secured within the base module, the DSL modem electrically interfaced to the telephone jack, the DSL modem interfacing the microprocessor based logic system to a DSL service provider providing connection to the Internet;

a wireless network hub secured within the base module, the hub providing wireless network access to personal computers and other devices through the telebanking apparatus;

a card read/write device, wherein the card read/write device is configured to read credit card information for online purchases or cash value transfer, wherein the card read/write device is configured to readably deduct cash value from and add cash value to cash value transfer cards, wherein the card read/write device is adapted to work with credit cards and value transfer cards employing conventional electronic account methods including magnetic strip and smart card chips;

a hatch hingably attached along one edge to a top portion of the base module, the hatch hingably pivotable between an angled upright open position and a closed position, wherein the hatch is pivoted so as to position a bottom face of the hatch in a facing relationship with the top portion of the base module when the hatch is in the closed position, the hatch comprising;

a backlit LCD graphic display screen secured to a top face of the hatch, the screen having touch screen input capabilities;

a biometric finger print scanning input device secured to the top face of the hatch, the biometric device for authenticating the user to enable telebanking apparatus for use;

a means of removably attaching the PDA to a bottom face of the hatch, wherein the PDA is attached to the hatch when the hatch is in the open position; and

an electrical connector secured to the hatch, the connector positioned and configured to electrically connect the PDA to the system base module when the PDA is attached to the hatch, wherein the PDA battery is recharged through the connector from the base module power supply;

a pair of wireless antennas secured to the top portion of the base module, the antennas providing wireless radio frequency communication between the base module and detachable devices namely a cordless phone handset and the PDA, as well as the wireless network hub;

a key lock device secured to a top portion of the base module, the key lock device lockably engaging the hatch to mechanically lock the hatch in the closed position; and

cash value transfer, electronic payment, transaction encryption, handwriting recognition and Internet browsing software stored to the memory means and executable upon the logic system of the system base module;

cordless phone handset sized and configured to detachably rest upon the base module spanning over the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position, the cordless phone handset in wireless communication with the telephone device electronics in the base module;

one or more cash value transfer cards, the cash value transfer cards have a rewritable data storage means, the cards sized and adapted for use with the telebanking apparatus;

a stylus feather pen , the stylus pen having a lower portion removably receivable into a depression in the top portion of the base module, the stylus feather pen adapted for performing touch sensitive input and writing upon the LCD graphic display screens, wherein the stylus serves as a user input device;

a second stylus feather pen having a lower portion removably receivable into a depression in the top portion of the base module, the second stylus pen having an infrared light emitting diode (LED) device and infrared light detector secured to a tip of the second stylus, the infrared LED device and detector for scanning barcodes on bills, the second stylus feather pen having a tip adapted for performing touch sensitive input and writing on the LCD graphic screens; and

a plurality of decorative flag poles attached to and extending above the top portion of the base module, wherein each one of said flag poles is provided in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent a respective side of the base module.

8. The telebanking apparatus of claim 7, wherein said antennas are secured to the top portion of the base module in spaced apart arrangement with said one edge of the hatch hingedly attached to the top portion of the base in a manner whereby the hatch is positioned between said antennas when the hatch is in the open position.

9. The telebanking apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

said stylus feather pens are in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other;

said first stylus receiving depression is positioned adjacent a first end portion of a front edge of the base module;

said second stylus receiving depression is positioned adjacent a second end portion of the front edge of the base module; and

the card read/write device of the base module is accessible through a front edge portion thereof between said end portions of the front edge.

10. The telebanking apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the means of removably attaching the PDA to the bottom face of the hatch is concealed between the top portion of the base module and the bottom face of the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position whereby the means of removably attaching the PDA is physically inaccessible when the hatch is locked in the closed position by the key lock device.

11. The telebanking apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the telephone jack, the USB port and the 10/100 base T network port are accessible through a read edge portion of the base module.