Line card

Abstract: A wireless debit card communications system comprising a radio unit, a base station, and an end station. The radio unit, for example, a radio telephone, includes a first processor, a reader for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card, and a transceiver for communicating, using radio waves, a credit signal. The base station receives and relays the credit signal over a communications channel to the end station. The end station includes a switch to generate a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit, and to set a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communications path through the base station. The end station also generates a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card. The base station may be connected to a debit meter. The radio unit and the debit meter respond to the second control signal to change the credit amount and the personal access number using magnetic writers or writer processors to store an updated credit amount and personal access number on a magnetic strip on a debit card or on a chip on the debit card as the debit card is used in the radio unit. The personal access number may be used as a telephone number of the radio unit.

Abstract: The portable cellular telephone credit card calling system works in conjunction with a cellular telephone, a local cellular network and an IXC in a telecommunications network. The portable cellular telephone has a handset and a transceiver unit and a credit card and electronic control interface electronically interposed between the handset and the transceiver unit. The interface unit has a credit card reader and an electronic system which initially validates the credit card. The cellular telephone also includes electronic circuitry which establishes a first telephone communications link with the network and transmits, via the transceiver unit for the phone, to the network, credit card data, a cellular telephone ID data and the telephone number input into the handset by the user. Upon receipt of at least the credit card data, a network transceiver verifies the validity of the user's credit card. After the credit card has been validated by the IXC through a verification or validation computer service, the network transceiver then completes a further telephonic communications link between the cellular telephone, operated by the user, and the telephonic device associated with the input telephone number, that is, the third party's telephone. Since the network transceiver does not complete the call to the third party prior to validation of the user's credit card, the system operates in real time. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the network transceiver provides some type of indication to the credit interface unit that the credit card has been validated. Thereafter, the user is permitted to make additional cellular telephone calls without requiring further validation of the credit card data by the network transceiver.

Abstract: A communications device for interfacing a computer to a cellular telephone which includes memory, voicemail, caller identification and a display screen includes a housing accessible to a human operator, a telephone interface attached to the housing to communicatively connect to the cellular telephone, a telephone connection to connect to a telephone line; and means for uploading the voicemail of the cellular telephone via the telephone connection and telephone interface to the memory of the cellular telephone. Attaching the cellular telephone to the telephone interface actuates the uploading of the voicemail of the cellular telephone to the memory of the cellular telephone for display in the display screen of the cellular telephone.

Abstract: The present invention describes a docking module for a cellular telephone which allows the cellular telephone and docking module to function as a secure point-of-sale system to accept payment via credit card, debit card, ATM card, stored value (Gift) card, phone card, as either magnetic swipe cards or IC cards, for sales or service transactions, as well as activate or recharge phone cards, activate or recharge stored value (Gift) cards, and activate or recharge IC cards. The secure point-of-sale system will also perform check validation sequences that will allow checks to be safely accepted for sales and service transactions. The docking module includes a docking module control assembly with a microprocessor that controls a magnetic credit card reader, an IC card reader/writer, a thermal docket printer, a multifunction security access module (SAM) and battery. The docking module control assembly mates with an existing cellular telephone and battery, and allows the cellular telephone and docking module combination to become a fully functional mobile secure point-of-sale system. The docking module control assembly, when activated, will cause the cellular telephone to dial a registration computer for approval utilizing the local cellular network and countrywide public switching telecommunications network (PSTN). The registration computer will validate the transaction with the appropriate bank or card issuing body, and a response will be sent via the return path advising whether the transaction has been accepted or denied. The resultant mobile secure point-of-sale system will now meet the security requirements of banks and financial institutions worldwide. By disconnecting the cellular telephone from the docking module, the cellular telephone reverts to its normal functions.