CA2107865C

CA2107865C - Wireless debit card system and method

Info

Publication number: CA2107865C
Application number: CA002107865A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Donald L. Schilling
Original assignee: InterDigital Technology Corp
Current assignee: InterDigital Technology Corp
Priority date: 1992-10-06
Filing date: 1993-10-06
Publication date: 2001-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-06
Also published as: CA2107865A1; US5359182A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
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.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to wireless debit cards, and more particularly to the application of a wireless debit card to a radio telephone system.
DESCRxPT~ON OF THE RELEVANT ART
Credit cards, debit cards, point of sale (POS) cards, automatic teller machine (ATM) cards, declining balance cards, and the like have been used in the art for some time. In operation with the telephone networks, credit cards terrned calling cards are available where a user with an account uses the ;calling card to access the telephone network. In accessing the telephone network, the calling card may be inserted through the slot of a telephone to a card reader, or alternatively, an account number on the card may be entered in the telephone, for example, by a touch-tone keypad. In either case, the amount of .;the telephone call is charged to the user's calling card account for later payment.
Similarly, a user may purchase a debit card for a certain ;amount of credit for purchases and charges. For example, charges to telephone calls, with the credit allocated to the debit card, are deducted from the amount of credit.purchased. In use, the user inserts the debit card into a pay telephone and'the available credit on the debit card is debited for the amount used.
_1_ 210'8'65 A problem with priar art debit card and credit card systems is that the debit/credit card systems have generally been limited to the existing fixed position telephone network, with the debit/credit card systems relying primarily on fixed telephones and general purpose pay telephones for initiating telephone calls.
In addition, the existing card storage systems provide for identification data and other data to be stored on the card, for example, by using magnetic strips to be read by a magnetic swipe reader. Existing smartcards and future card storage systems promise to provide greater detail regarding the card user, with ;the greater detail stored on a card having greater storage capacity, for example, a Bard including one or more computer chips having a memory. The computer chips may also include microprocessors in addition to the memory, with the microprocessors allowing the user with the debit/credit card to ;;access computer systems with the debit/credit card. Furthermore, , 'the use of the computer chips with memories allows the storage "and access of data beyond user identification; for example, ;computer chips can include user addresses and telephone numbers, credit and debit account histories, and available credit and ;debit limits.
However, the prior art has limited the use of the card storage systems~to fixed pay telephones having card readers, 2S primarily by magnetic swipe readers reading debit/credit cards 2107~~~
with magnetic strips. In the prior art, telephones without card readers, for example, non-pay telephones and mobile cellular telephones, can only access the existing telephone network using debit/credit cards by entering an account number and/or a personal identification number (PIN) in the telephone. The advantages of developments in card storage systems to hold greater information about the user and the user's account activities are unable to be fully implemented by the prior art.
Furthermore, debit/credit card systems used in conjunction IO With the existing telephone networks are limited to the accessing of the telephone network to make telephone calls. The prior art idoes not provide for the reception of telephone calls to users 'accessing the telephone network with a credit card or debit card, unless the user leaves the telephone number of the telephone 1S being accessed with a listener. In addition, some pay telephones may not be permitted, by the operating telephone company, to send :icalls to the pay telephones, i.e. some pay telephones allow calls ~~out from the pay telephone but do not allow calls in to the pay :telephone, since the telephone company does not receive payment 20 for calls in to the pay telephone is the same manner as payment for calls out from the pay telephone.
The present telephone network switches telephone calls for a user to fixed telephone numbers with the fixed telephone numbers allocated to specific telephones, so a user is limited to 25 receiving telephone calls to fixed telephone numbers and to specific telephones. The prior art does not provide for the automatic switching of telephone calls to users, especially travellers, at telephones which are not allocated to the users.
Moreover, present debit/credit card systems have been limited in application to merchant point of sale (POS) applications and to the described uses with telephones.
Other consumer electronic applications, for example, personal computers, facsimile machines, and automobiles would also benefit from a wireless debit card system in providing a debit card system free from specifically allocated telephone numbers.
An object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system which allows a user to prepay for telephone usage.
Another object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system which allows the user to receive telephone calls at a debit card telephone.
A further object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system wherein the telephone number follows the user on his debit card, as opposed to the telephone number being allocated to a specific telephone line.
An additional object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system using radio units for accessing telephone networks with smartcards as debit cards, wherein the smartcards are read by the radio unit.
A further object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system allowing telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, automobiles, and the like to communicate using debit cards.
A still further object of an aspect of the invention is a wireless debit card system allowing users to use telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, automobiles, and the like with telephone numbers which follow the user on his/her debit card, as opposed to the telephone number being allocated to a specific telephone line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a wireless debit card system comprising at least one radio unit, at least one base station, and at least one end station. Each end station typically has a communications switch. Each of the radio units typically has means for reading from a debit card a credit amount and a personal access number. Each of the radio units also has means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit amount and the personal access number as a credit signal. The base stations receive the credit signal from each of the radio units and relay the credit signal over a communications channel to the end stations.
Each end station has a communications switch which is responsive to receiving a plurality of credit signals. In response to receiving the plurality of credit signals, the communications switch allocates the credit amount for each radio unit, and also sets, within the communications switch, the personal access number for each debit card for each radio unit. A communications channel identified with each personal access number is assigned a path through the base station.
The present invention also includes a method, using a wireless debit card system including a radio unit, a base station, and an end station, comprising the steps of accessing the radio unit with a debit card; reading a credit amount and a personal access number from the debit card; generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number; transmitting the credit signal over a communications channel; receiving the credit signal over a communications channel; receiving the credit signal at a base station; relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over the communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station; allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit with a communication path through the base station; and setting a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station.
Additional objects of aspect of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part are obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects of aspects of the invention also may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In accordance with one embodiment, a wireless debit card system comprises:
at least one radio unit, each radio unit including:
means for receiving communications directed to selected access numbers, including a fixed radio unit access number unique to the radio unit;
means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
first processing means for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal;
access control means associated with the receiving means for activating the personal access number as an additional selected access code in response to a first control signal; and changing means for changing the credit amount of a debit card in response to a second control signal; and at least one base station for receiving credit signals and for transmitting first and second control signals to a radio unit from which a credit signal is received which is responsive to the received credit signal such that:
the first control signal verifies the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit and enables activation of an additional selected access number of the radio unit corresponding to the personal access number of the debit card, and the second control signal enables changing the credit amount of the debit card by the radio unit changing means.
In accordance with a further embodiment, in a wireless debit card system including a plurality of radio units and a base station, a method comprises the steps of:
providing radio units for receiving communications from a base station based on selected access codes, each radio unit having at least one unique pre-assigned access code as one of the selected access codes;
storing a credit amount and a personal access number on a debit card;
using a selected radio unit to read a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card; and to generate a credit signal based thereon;
transmitting the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
transmitting a control signal from the base station responsive to the credit signal for verifying the credit amount of the debit card to the selected radio unit and for enabling activation of an additional selected access code of the selected radio unit corresponding to the personal access number of the debit card; and activating the additional access code at the selected radio unit to thereby enable receiving of communications from the base station based on the additional access code.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a radio unit for use in a wireless debit card system having at least one base station for transmitting control signals in response to received credit signals, the radio unit including:
means for receiving communications directed to selected access numbers including a fixed radio unit access number unique to the radio unit;
means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
first processing means for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal to a base station;
access control means associated with the receiving means for activating the personal access number as an additional selected access number in response to a first control signal received from a base station for verifying a credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit and enabling activation of the personal access number of the debit card; and changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card in response to a second control signal received from a base station.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a wireless debit card system comprises:
at least one radio unit, each radio unit including;

a reader for reading a- credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card:
a transceiver and associated antenna for receiving communications directed to selected access numbers, including a fixed radio unit access number unique to the radio unit and for communicating, using radio waves, a credit signal;
a controller for generating the credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number and for activating the personal access number as an additional selected access code in response to a first control signal:
and a writer for changing the credit amount of a debit card in response to a second control signal; and at least one base station having a transceiver and associated controller for receiving credit signals and for transmitting first and second control signals to a radio unit from which a credit signal is received and for relaying signals including the first and second control signals and the credit signal to an end station:
the end station having a communication switch for generating the first control signal which verifies the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit and enables activation of the additional selected access number of the radio unit corresponding to the personal access number of the debit card and for generating the second control signal which enables changing the credit amount of the debit card by the writer.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a radio unit for use in a wireless debit card system having at least one base station for transmitting control signals in response to received credit signals, the radio unit including:
7b a reader for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
a transceiver and associated antenna for receiving communications directed to selected access numbers including a fixed radio unit access number unique to the radio unit and for communicating, using radio waves, a credit signal to a base station:
a controller for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number and for activating the personal access number as an additional selected access number in response to a first control signal received from a base station for verifying a credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit and enabling activation of the personal access number of the debit card;
and a writer for changing the credit amount of the debit card in response to a second control signal received from a base station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art debit/credit card having a magnetic strip;
FIG. 2 shows a prior art debit/credit card having a computer chip with a memory;
FIG. 3 shows a wireless debit card system with a user having a radio unit accessing a base station;
FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the wireless debit card system with various electronic devices accessing the wireless debit card system via radio waves and wired 7c COnneCtlOriS;
FIG. 5 illustrates a radio unit of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the radio unit of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a base station of the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows an end station of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a debit meter of the present invention;
FIGS. 10-13 illustrate embodiments of radio telephone having slots for a debit card;
7d channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over a communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station;
allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit with a communication path through the base station; and setting a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a method, using a wireless debit card system including a plurality of radio units, a base station, and an end station, comprises:
storing a credit card amount and a personal access number on a debit card;
accessing a radio unit with the debit card;
reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card;
generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
transmitting the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over a communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station;
generating a first control signal at the end station;
7e allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal;
setting a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal;
generating a second control signal at the end station;
and changing the credit amount of the debit card using the second control signal.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a radio unit for use in a wireless debit card system is provided, the system having a base station for relaying signals between the radio unit and an end station over a communications channel, the end station sending to the radio unit a first and a second control signal in response to receiving a credit signal from the radio unit, the radio unit comprising:
means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
memory means for storing the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card;
first processing means for generating the credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal and for receiving the first and second control signals; and 7f changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card; and wherein the radio unit is responsive to a first control signal for allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit, and for setting a telephone number of the radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card;
and wherein the changing means of the radio unit is responsive to a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art debit/credit card having a magnetic strip;
FIG. 2 shows a prior art debit/credit card having a computer chip with a memory;
FIG. 3 shows a wireless debit card system with a user having a radio unit accessing a base station;
FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the wireless debit card system with various electronic devices accessing the wireless debit card system via radio waves and wired connections;
FIG. 5 illustrates a radio unit of the present 7g invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the radio unit of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a base station of the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows an end station of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a debit meter of the present invention;
FIGS. 10-13 illustrate embodiments of radio telephone having slots for a debit card;
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FIGS. 14-15 illustrate embodiments of radio facsimile machines having slots for a debit card;
FIGS. 16-17 illustrate embodiments of radio personal computers having slots for a debit card; and FIGS. 18-19 illustrate embodiments of the dashboards of automobiles having slots for a debit card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THF~ PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference now is made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views.
As illustratively shown in FIG. 1, a prior art debit/credit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 permits the user or cardholder 1S to access a debit/credit card system by passing the debit/credit card 30 pass through or by having the debit/credit card 30 swiped through a magnetic card reader to read the information stored in ~~a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32. In addition, although the magnetic strips 32 are primarily used to encode and store identifying information, for example, as a debit/credit card account number, the magnetic strips 32 may also be used to encode and store additional information beyond identification information; for example, available credit and debit limits may be encoded and stored on the magnetic strip 32. A debit/credit 2S card 30 with a magnetic strip 32 may be used repeatedly in any -a-compatible magnetic strip reader, and the magnetic strip 32 may further be rewritten by any compatible magnetic strip reader which is also equipped with a magnetic strip writer capable of encoding different or updated information in a magnetic forntat onto the magnetic strip 32 of the debit/credit card 30.
The use of debit/credit cards in commerce is widespread, and further applications of debit/credit cards are being implemented.
Some applications iriay utilize debit/credit cards called smartcards, with smartcards being capable of storing greater amounts of information and capable of accessing more diverse consumer applications. In the prior art, some debit/credit ;smartcards 34 are equipped with computer chips 36 having ;
memories, as illustratively shown in FIG. 2. In use, the user places the debit/credit smartcard 34 into a compatible card accessing device to read and access the information stored in the memory of the computer chip 36. The computer chips 36 are not .limited to using silicon chips, and the computer chips 36 may , further be equipped with microprocessors including or in addition ~to the memories. Furthermore, the computer chips 36 may also be ;equipped with minute batteries or energy cells, allowing for volatile memories to be used to store the information in the memory and, therefore, on the debit/credit smartcard 34.
The debit/credit cards 34 with computer chips 36. having memories may also be rewritten by a compatible accessing device equipped with a processor capable of writing and rewriting 21Q786~~
information to the memory of the computer chip 36 on the debit/credit card 34.
The use of the computer chips with memories allows the storage and access of data not limited to user identification;
for example, the computer chips can include user addresses and telephone numbers, credit and debit account histories, and available credit and debit limits.
The existing debit/credit card systems primarily employ debit/credit card readers/writers accessing debit/credit account databases through the existing telephone networks using modems connecting the debit/credit card readers/writers to the telephone networks, for example, as public switched telephone networks i C PSTN) .
In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the wireless debit card system is shown comprising at least one radio unit 80, at least one base station 50, and at least one end station 70.
;Each end station 70 typically has a communications switch, and lithe end station 70 may be embodied as an end office; for example, ' ~:a class 5 office. Each of the radio units 80 typically has means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number stored on a debit card. Each of the radio units 80 also has means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit amount cad the personal access number as a credit signal. The credit signal may further include synchronization data. The base stations 50 receive the credit signal from each of the radio units 80 and 21Q°~8fi5 ' relay the credit signal over a communications channel 60 to the end stations 70. Each end station 70 has a communications switch which is responsive to receiving a plurality of credit signals.
In response to receiving the plurality of credit signals, the communications switch allocates the credit amount for each radio unit, and the communications switch also sets, within the ' communications switch, the personal access number for each debit card for each radio unit 80. A communications channel identified with each personal access number is assigned a path through the base station 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, the base station SO may be embodied as a commercial place of business, for example, a candy store, a bodega, or a department store, with an antenna 52 coupled to the base station 50. The base station SO transmits and receives signals to and from a radio unit 80 of a user 81, respectively, using radio waves 54 over broadcast channel frequencies.
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the wireless debit card system may further include a debit meter 100 operatively coupled ,to the base station 50, as shown in FIG. 3.
: In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the ;wireless debit card system may be embodied as a base station 50, a communications channel 60, an end station 70,. and various radio units, with the radio units embodied as, for example, a radio telephone 82, a Facsimile machine 84, an automobile 86, and a personal computer 88, with each of the radio units 82, 84, 86, 88 2~07~6~
capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequencies. Each of the radio units 82, 84, 86, 88 communicates with the base station 50 via radio waves 54 over broadcast channel frequencies. The wireless debit card system may further include a debit meter 100 operatively coupled to the base station 50. At the time of purchase of the debit card and/or the radio unit 80, the debit card to be used with the radio unit 80 may have an initial credit amount and an initial personal access number stored on the debit card.
ZO As the radio units 80 may be embodied as radio telephones, radio facsimile machines, and the like, and as the base station 50 may be coupled to devices connected through telephone lines, for example, fixed wire telephones, mainframe computers, and the like, the personal access number of the debit card may be used as a telephone number, or the personal access number may encode or incorporate telephone numbers into the personal access number, existing telephone numbers, telephone lines, and telephone accounts may operate in conjunction with the wireless debit card 'system.
Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the base station 50 may further be coupled to other devices, for example, telephone 92 and facsimile machine 94, through a telephone network 90, where davices, which may include a telephone 92 and a facsimile machine 94, are coupled to the telephone network 90 by telephone wires , 2S 98, and where the base station 50 is coupled to the Celephone ~1~~~6~' network by telephone wires 96. The wireless debit card system, as embodied in FIG. 4, allows bath wireless and wired devices to access the base station 50.
As shown in FTG. 5, each radio unit 80 in the wireless debit card system includes a first processing means, means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card, and means for communicating the credit amount and the personal access number as a credit signal. The first processing :neaps may be. embodied as a controller 204 which may perform processing i0 functions as a first processor for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and from the personal access number. The communicating means may be embodied as a transceiver 202, and the reading means may be embodied as reader 208. The transceiver 202 includes an antenna, and the transceiver 202 is operatively coupled to the base station 50 via radio waves over broadcast channels, and the transceiver 202 communicates with the base ,station 50 and with other devices over the broadcast channel ' ! frequencies .
The user accesses the wireless debit card system by ;accessing the radio unit 80 with the debit card by inserting the debit card into a slot in the radio unit 80. The radio unit 80 may also include memory 206 for storing the credit amount and the personal access number after the credit amount and the personal access number are read by the reader 210 of the radio unit 80.

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For use with a debit card 30 with a magnetic strip 32, as shown in FIG. Z, the reader 208 of radio unit 80 may include a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 of a debit card 30.
For use With a debit card 34 with a computer chip 36 having a memory, for example, smartcards, as shown in FIG. 2, the reader 208 of radio unit 80 may include a reader processor 210 for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the memory of the computer chip. The operation of the wireless debit card system is not dependent on. the format of the information storage on the debit cards, so magnetic strip cards and ;smartcards may both be used in the wireless debit card system, where magnetic strip cards and smartcards are read by compatible debit card readers included in the radio units.
As shown in FIG. 6, the radio unit 80, in an alternate embodiment, may further include changing means, embodied as ~twriter 21.2 using controller 204 and memory 206, for changing the credit amount of the debit card. The writer 212 may also change :the personal access number of the debit card.
For use with a debit card 30 with a magnetic strip 32, as shown in FIG. 1, the writer 212 of radio unit 80 may include a magnetic writer for writing the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 of a debit card 30.
. .. , 21Qr18(~5 For use with a debit card 34 with a computer chip 36 having a memory, for example, smartcards, as shown in FIG. 2, the writer 208 of radio unit 80 may include a writer processor 214 for writing and/or rewriting the credit amount and the personal S access number to the memory of the computer chip. The operation of the wireless debit card system is not dependent on the format of the information storage on the debit cards, so magnetic strip cards and smartcards may both be used and rewritten in the wireless debit card system, where magnetic strip cards and sma.rtcards are written and/or rewritten by compatible debit card readers included in the radio units, The radio unit 80 includes an antenna, connected to the transceiver, which may be iaternal or external. The radio unit 80 rnay be embodied as a radio telephone 82, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, where each radio telephone 82 includes a swipe slot 601 for swiping the debit card through the reader 208 and through the writer 212 of the radio telephone. In alternate embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11 and 13, each radio telephone 82 includes an insertion slot 602 for inserting the debit card into the reader 208 and into the writer 212 of the radio telephone 82.
The radio units may also include radio facsimile machines, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15, may also include radio personal computers, for example, radio laptop computers, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-17, and may also include automobiles, as illustrated in FIGS. 18-19, with each og the radio personal computers, radio 210'~Sb~~
facsimile machines, and automobiles including an, antenna and slots for the debit cards. FIG. 14 shows a radio facsimile machine 84 with a swipe slot 603 to swipe a debit card with a magnetic strip through a magnetic reader/writer of the radio facsimile machine 84, while FIG. 15 shows a radio facsimile machine 84 with an insertion slot 604 to insert a debit card into the reader/writer of the radio facsimile machine 84. Similarly, FIGS. 16 and 17 show radio laptop computers 86 with a swipe slot 605 and With an insertion slot 606, respectively. Similarly, FIGS. 18 and 19 show the dashboard 87 of an automobile, with the dashboard 87 equipped with a swipe slot 607 and with an insertion slot 608, respectively, for swiping or inserting the debit card into the reader/writer of the automobile.
The debit card stores a credit amount and a personal access 1S number, with the debit card storing the credit amount and the personal access number on a magnetic strip in a magnetic format or in a computer chip with a memory. A user accessing a radio unit 80 with the debit card by inserting the debit card into the ' reader 208 of the radio unit 80. The reader 208 reads the credit v ;amount and the personal access number from the debit card, and the controller 204 generates a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number. The transceiver 202 transmits the credit Signal over broadcast frequencies, using radio waves, to a base station, 50.
_16_ 210'~~6~a Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each radio unit 80 may further include display means for displaying the credit amount of the debit card. The display means may be embodied as a display 216, as shown in FIGS. S and 6, respectively. The display means may also display the personal access number of the debit card. In addition, the first processing means, embodied as controller 204, may also store the credit amount as a count in a counter, and may deduct charges for use of the radio unit 80 by decreasing the count as the charges axe incurred by the user.
The first processing means, embodied as controller 204, may further send the~count to the display means for display to the user to indicate to the user the present amount of credit available as the user incurs charges against the previously purchased credit amount. .
In addition, each radio unit 80 may further include audio means for producing sounds. As shown in FIGS. S and 6, the audio means may be embodied as a speaker 218, since the radio unit 80 'may be embodied as a radio telephone, as a radio facsimile machine, as a radio personal computer, or as an automobile, and ,since telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, and automobiles usually provide audio means embodied as speakers.
The controller 204 may generate a warning signal to indicate when , the count has decreased b~lov~, or crosses, a predetermined threshold; therefore, the warning signal, is produced when the available credit far the debit card has reached a low level and 21~'~~65 requires an increase in the credit amount for further use of the radio unit 80. Alternately, the controller 204 may generate the warning signal to indicate when the count has decreased to zero to indicate that the debit card does not have any available credit for further charges by the user on the radio unit 80.
Tn response to the warning signal from the controller 204, the speaker 218 emits one or more sounds to indicate that the credit of the debit card is low, using a low credit warning sound, or that the credit of the debit card has run out, using a zero credit warning sound. The audio means may further include synthesizer means, embodied as a voice synthesizer, for generating synthesized voice messages, permitting the low credit warning sound and the zero credit warning sound to include synthesized voice messages to convey to the user the amount of iS available credit, the lack of available credit, or other voice messages.
The base station 50 receives the broadcasted.credit signal,.
''and responds to receiving the credit signal by relaying the 'credit signal over a communications channel 60 to an end station 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The communications channel 60 may be embodied as a telephone network, with both the base station 50 and the and station 70 being coupled to the telephone network by telephone lines. Therefore, the wireless debit card system may easily be connected with the existing telephone networks, and also may be easily implemented in conunercial places of business;

2~.0'~~6~
for example, a base station 50 may be installed in a telephone jack in a candy store, a bodega, or a department store.
In addition, the communications channel 60 may alternately be embodied as a wireless communications system with the base station 50 and the end station 70 broadcasting over radio frequencies.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the base station 50 includes a transceiver 302 and a controller 304. As shown in FIG. 3, the base station 50 may be located at a commercial place of business, for example, a candy store, a bodega, or a department store, with an antenna 52 coupled to the base station 50, and the base station 50 relays the credit signal over a communications channel 60 to an end station 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 52 may be installed on the roof of the commercial place of business.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the end station 70 includes a communications switch 420, a controller 404, and a memory 406.
The communicatians switch 420 is responsive to the credit signal from a radio unit 80 for generating a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit 80, and the first control signal is also used to set a radio unit access number of the radio unit 80 to the personal access number of the debit card. 'the end station 70 establishes and uses a communications path through the base station 50 to send th9 First control signal to the radio unit 80.
_19_ ~~o7ss~' Tn response to the first control signal from the end station 70, the radio unit 80 allacates the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit 80, and radio unit 80 sets a radio unit access number of the radio unit 80 to the personal access number of the debit card.
The wireless debit card system further includes having the end station 70 generate a second control signal for changing the credit amount of the debit card after the credit amount to the debit card has been set. In response to the second control signal, the changing means of the radio unit 80 changes the credit amount of the debit card, In a further embodiment, the changing means of the radio unit 80, in response to the second control signal, changes the personal access number of the debit card. In changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card, the changing means of the radio unit 80, embodied as writer 212 using controller 204 and memory 206, 'using data from the second control signal, revises the credit amount and the personal access number, respectively, stored in memory 206. In revising the credit amount and the personal ,access number, the controller 204 generates an updated credit amount and an updated personal access number, respectively. The changing means then stores the updated credit amount and the updated personal access number, respectively, on the debit card.
For use with a debit card 30 with a magnetic strip 32, as shown in FIG. 1, the writer 212 of radio unit 80 may include a ' . :, .:' , ., .' . .; . , .
:, , ,: ..; : . ;,. . , .
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210'~~36~~
magnetic writer for writing and/or rewriting the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 of a debit card 30.
For use with a debit card 34 with a computer chip 36 having a memory, fox example, smartcards, as shown in FIG. 2, the writer 212 of radio unit 80 may include a writer processor 214 for writing and/or rewriting the credit amount and the personal access number to the memory of the computer chip 36. The operation of the wireless debit card system is not dependent on the format of the inforniation storage on the debit cards, so magnetic strip cards and smartcards may both be used and rewritten in the wireless debit card system, where magnetic strip ~~cards and smartcards are read by compatible debit card readers included in the radio units.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wireless debit card system may include a debit meter 100 coupled to the base station 50.
..FIG. 9 shows the debit meter 100 with storing means for storing a ~~credit amount and a personal access number of the debit card, and ~Ichanging means fox changing the credit amount of the debit card.
,The changing means may also change the personal access number of the debit card. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the storing means is embodied as a memory 506, and the changing means is embodied as a writer 512 using controller 504 and memory 506.
In response to a second control signal from the end station 70, the debit meter 100 changes the credit amount aE the debit i 210"~~65 card using the writer 512. Also, in response to the second control signal from the end station 70, the debit meter 100 may change the personal access number of the debit card using the writer 512.
For use with a debit card 30 With a magnetic strip 32, as shown in FIG. 1, the writer 512 of debit meter 100 may include a magnetic writer for writiag and/or rewriting the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 of the debit card 30. ' For use with a debit card 34 with a computer chip 36 having a memory, for example, smartcards, as shown in FIG. 2, the writer :512 of debit meter 100 may include a writer processor 214 for writing and/or rewriting the credit amount and the personal access number to the memory of the computer chip 36. The ''operation of the wireless debit card system is not dependent on .the format of the infozms.tion storage on the debit cards, so ::magnetic strip cards and smartcards may both be used and ~~rewritten in the wireless debit card system, where~magnetic strip 'cards and smartcards are writtea and/or rewritten by a compatible ;'debit card writer included in the debit meter 100.
The debit meter 100 may further include meter processing means for processing the credit amount and the personal access number of a debit card. The meter processing means is embodied as a controller 504 in FIG. 9, which may perform processing functions as a meter processor. In addition the debit meter 100 f 21~~~6~
may further include reading means, which may be embodied as a reader 508, for reading the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card.
For use with a debit card 30 with a magnetic strip 32 as shown in FIG. 1, the writer 508 of debit meter 100 may include a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 of the debit card 30.
For use with a debit card 34 with a computer chip 3& having a memoxy, for example, smartcards, as shown in FTG. 2, the reader 508 of debit meter 100 may include a reader processor 510 for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the memory of the computer chip 36. The operation of the wireless debit card system is not dependent on the format of the 1S ~infon~ation storage on the debit cards, so magnetic strip cards hand smartcards may both be used in the wireless debit card ;system, Where magnetic strip cards and smartcards are read by compatible debit card readers included in the radio units.
The debit meter 100 may also include a swipe slot for swiping the debit card through the writer 512 of the debit meter 100. In alternate embodiments, the debit meter 100 may include an insertion slot for inserting the debit card into the reader 508 and writer S12 of the debit meter 100.
The wireless debit card system further includes having the end station 70 generate a second control signal Ear changing the 21D~86~ ø
credit amount of the debit card after the credit amount to the debit card has been set. In response to the second control signal, the changing means of the debit meter 100 changes the credit amount of the debit card. In another embodiment, the changing means of the debit meter 100, in response to the second control signal, changes the personal access number of the debit ' card. In changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card, the changing means of the debit meter 100, embodied as writer 512 using controller 504 and memory 506, using data from the second control signal, revises the credit amount and the personal access number, respectively, stored in memory 506. In revising the credit amount and the personal ;access number, the controller 504 generates an updated credit j amount and an updated personal access number, respectively. The .changing means then stores the updated credit amount and the updated personal access number, respectively, on the debit card.
In the preferred embodiment, the debit meter 100 of FIG. 9 ~~is used with the radio units 80 as embodied in FIG. 5, so that ~ , 'the debit meter 100 may perform the functions of changing and writing/rewriting the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card, while the radio units 80 embodied in FTG. 5 of the wireless debit card system need not be equipped with writing means. On the other hand, radio units 80 embodied in FIG. 6, may be equipped with changing means, perform the functions of the debit meter 100, so that the wireless debit card 210'~86~
system need not be equipped with a debit meter 100. Still further, the wireless debit card system may include the radio units SO of FIG. S, the radio units 80 of FIG. 6, and the debit meter 100 of FIG. 9, allowing debits cards to be initially purchased at the base station 50 and then having the debit meter 100 at the base station 50 add to the purchased debit card any credit purchased by the debit card purchaser at the base station 50. The radio units equipped with changing means then may update the credit amount and the personal access number as the debit card purchaser uses the debit card. However, users with radio units unequipped with changing means utilize the debit meter 100 at the base station S0, as shown in FIG. 3, to update the credit amount, i.e. purchase and add credit to the debit card, and also to update the personal access number of the debit card. The positioning of base stations and debit meters in candy stores, ,bodegas, depart~neat stores, and the like, thus permits convenient ~,~local purchases and local transactions.v~ith debit cards to access mobile radio telephone services and other services charged cad 'debited by radio waves, for example, radio facsimile machine ~ services, radio personal computer services, automobile services, and the like. For example, telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, automobiles, etc. capable of communicating service and usage charges and debiting the charges by radio wave, may therefore be leased or rented with greater convenience.

~~o~ss~
The present invention further includes a method, using a wireless debit card system, comprising the steps of accessing a radio unit 80 with a debit card; reading a credit amount and a personal access number from the debit card; generating a credit S signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
transmitting the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at a base station S0; relaying the credit signal from the base station 50 to the end station 70 aver a communications channel 60; switching the credit signal at the end station 70 using switch 420; allocating the credit amount of ,the debit card to the radio unit 80 with a communication path through the base station 50; and setting a radio unit access ''number of the radio unit 80 to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station 50.
The method may further include the steps of generating a second control signal at the end station 70; and changing the :credit amount of the debit card using the second control signal. i 'In addition, the method may also include the step of changing the personal access number of the debit card using the second control .signal.
The step of changing the credit amount may include the steps , of revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount; and storing the updated credit amount on the debit card. The step of changing the personal access number may include the stegs of revising the personal access number as an updated personal access 21U'~~~~
number; and storing the updated personal access number on the debit card.
For a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in FIG. 1, the step of reading the credit amount and the personal S access number on the debit card 30 may include the step, using a reader 208, embodied as a magnetic reader in the radio unit 80, of reading the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30; and the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card 30 niay include the step of writing, using a writer 212, embodied as a magnetic writer in the radio unit 80~, the credit amount and the personal access number in a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30.
Alternately, for a debit card 34 having a chip 36 as shown in FIG. 2, the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number an the debit card may include the step, using a ;reader ~arocessor 210 in, the radio unit 80, of reading the memory ~~on the chip 36 oa the debit card 34; and the step of storing the ;credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card 34 may include the step of writiag, using a Writer processor 212 in :the radio unit 80, the credit amount and the personal access number in. a memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 34.
For a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in' FIG. 1, the step of revising the credit amount may include the step, using a first processor, embodied as a controller 204, in _27_ 210~86~
the radio unit 80, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the updated credit amount on the debit card may include the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the radio unit 80, the credit amount in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 34.
For a debit card 30 having a chip 36 as shown in FIG. 2, the step of revising the credit amount may include the step, using a first processor, embodied as a controller 204 in the radio unit 80, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the credit amount on the debit 30 card may include the step of writing, using a writer processor 514 in the radio unit 80, the credit amount in a memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 30.
~ Similarly, for a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in FIG. 1, the step of revising the personal access number may include the step, using a first processor, embodied as a 'Icontroller 204 in the radio unit 80, of generating an updated ;personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the updated personal access number on the debit card may include the step of ~writi,ag, using a writer 212, embodied as a magnetic writer, in the radio unit 80, the updated personal access number in a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30.
_2g_ 214'~8~~~
Alternately, for a debit card 34 having a chip 36, as shown in FIG. 2, the step of revising the personal access number may include the step, using a first processor, embodied as a controller 204 in the radio unit 80, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the personal access number on the debit card may include the step of writing, using a writer processor 214 in the radio unit 80, the updated personal access number in a memory on the chip 36 on the debit 'card 34.
In addition, the method of the present invention may also .,include the step of storing the credit amount and the personal 'access number in a debit meter 100 having a meter processor, embodied as a controller 504, and a memory 506. Using the debit meter 100, the method of the present invention may include the ' steps of revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount;
,sand storing the updated credit amount in the memozy S06 of the 'debit meter 100. In addition, the step of changing the personal access number may include the steps of revising the personal access number as an updated personal access number; and storing the updated personal access number in the memory 506 in the debit meter 100.
For a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in FIG. 1, the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on th~ debit card 30 may include the step of 210~~~~
writing, using a writer 512, embodied as a magnetic writer, in the debit meter 100, the credit amount and the personal access number in a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30; and the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card 30 may include the step, using a reader 208, embodied as a magnetic reader in the radio unit 80, of reading the magnetic format of the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30. Alternately, for a debit card 34 having a chip 36 as shown in FIG. 2, the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card 34 may include the step of writing, using a meter processor, embodied as a controller 504 in the debit meter 100, the credit amount and the 'personal access number in a memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 34; and the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card may include the step, using a reader processor 210 in the radio unit 80, of reading the memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 34.
For a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in ;FIG. 1, the step of revising the credit amount may include the step, using the meter processor, embodied as the controller 504 ;
in the debit meter 100, of generating a,n updated credit amount ,from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and the step of staring the updated credit amount on the debit card 100 may include the step of writing, using a writer 512, embodied z5 as a magnetic writer in the debit meter 100, the updated credit _30_ zio7ss~
amount in a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30. .Alternately, for a debit card 34 having a chip 36 as shown in FIG. 2, the step of revising the credit amount may include the step, using the meter processor, embodied as the controller 504 in the debit meter 100, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the updated credit amount on the debit card may include the step of writing, using the writer processor 514 in the debit meter 100, the updated credit amount in a memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 34.
Also, for a debit card 30 having a magnetic strip 32 as shown in FIG. 1, the step of revising the personal access number 'may include the step, using a meter processor, embodied as the controller 504 in the debit meter 100, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and the step of storing the updated " personal access number oa the debit card 30 may include the~ step ~~of writing, using a writer 512, embodied as a magnetic writer in the debit meter 100, the updated personal access number in a magnetic format on the magnetic strip 32 on the debit card 30.
Alternately, for a debit card 34 having a chip 36 as shown in FIG. 2, the step of revising the personal access number may include the step, using the meter processor, embodied as the controller 504 in the debit meter 100, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from 21D~86~
the second control signal; and the step of storing the updated personal access number on the debit card 34 may include the step of writing, using the writer processor 514 in the debit meter 100, the updated personal access number in a memory on the chip 36 on the debit card 34.
In use, a consumer or user may purchase or rent a radio unit 80 and a debit card, preferably at the location of the base station 50, for example, at a candy store, a bodega, or a department store, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The debit card may be a card 30 with a magnetic strip 32, as shown in FIG. 1, or the debit card may be a card 34 with a chip 36 having memory, as shown in FIG. 2. The type of debit card purchased and used is to be compatible with the reader/writer of the radio unit 80. ~ ~ -Similarly, the base station 50 may be connected to a debit meter 100, as shown in FIG. 3, so the debit card purchased by the user may be compatible with the reader/writer of the debit meter 100.
iAt the time of purchase or at the time of renting the debit card, 'the user may purchase an initial amount of credit to the debit :I
;card, and subsequently, the user can purchase further credit to the debit card. Whether by using a magnetic strip or by using a chip with memory, the debit card stores the current credit amount .allocated to the debit card for use as a declining balance.
,Updates to the credit amount, due to decreases in the credit amount from charges to the debit card or due to increases in the credit amount by subsequent purchases of further credit, are f 2~0"18~~
stored on the debit card.
A unique personal access number is allocated to each debit card, with the personal access number being stored on the debit card. However, the personal access number to each debit card may be changed by rewriting the personal access number stored on the debit card.
After purchasing an initial credit amount and/or an increase in the credit amount of a debit card, the user may proceed to any location away from the base station 50, within a range of the broadcast transmissions of the base station 50, and the user may use the radio unit with the debit card.
During use of the debit card, the user inserts the debit card into compatible radio units, for example, radio telephones, radio facsimile machines, radio personal computers, automobiles, and the like, to access the respective radio unit. The radio telephones, radio facsimile machines, radio personal computers, automobiles, and the like. are equipped with debit card readers ~~and/or debit card writers to read and/or update, respectively, :the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit ;card. The personal access number (PAN) may serve as a personal identification number (PIN) or as an account. number for the user, but the personal access number may perform other functions, for example, the encoding of additional user information. In use with radio telephones, radio facsimile machines, and radio personal computers, the personal access number may ser<re as ~~o~~~~ ' telephone numbers allocated to the debit card as opposed to being allocated to a fixed telephone line to a fixed telephone.
Therefore, the personal access number follows the user with the debit card.
Sn use with the radio units, the credit amount may be debited for charges incurred by use of the debit card. The credit amount may be decreased for charges from outgoing telephone calls, for example, from radio telephones, radio facsimile machines, radio personal computers~with modems, and radio telephones connected through an automobile equipped with a debit card reader/writer and the appropriate transceiver instruments.
The credit amount may further be decreased for charges for services, for example, the renting the radio unit in uses, such as renting the automobile having the debit card reader/writer, as well as renting the radio telephone, renting the radio facsimile machine, renting the radio personal computer, and the like. .
' At each time that the credit amount is increased or decreased on the debit card, and at each time that the personal access number of the debit card is changed, the radio unit and/or ,the debit meter which reads and updates the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card sends a credit signal over radio waves to the base station 50 which relays the credit ' signal through a commmunications channel 60 to an end station 70.

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21o7ss~
At the end station 70, a communications switch 420, in response to receiving the credit signal, generates a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit 80 accessed by the debit card, and the first control signal also sets a radio unit access number of the radio unit 80 to the personal access number of the debit card, using a communication path to the specific radio unit 80 through the base station 50, and for generating a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card. In response to the first control signal, the radio unit 80 allocates the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit 80, and sets the radio unit access number of the radio unit 80 to the personal access number of the debit card.
The end station 70 stores and tracks the credit amounts and the personal access numbers of each debit card, and When the credit amount of a given debit card decreases to zero or less, the end station 70 does not allocate a positive credit amount to the debit card until the user purchases additional credit at the base station 50. The controller 204 of the radio unit 80 will ,not operate the radio unit 80 for the user unless the credit .amount of the debit card is a positive amount.
A base station 50 may be wired or may be wirelessly connected to the end station 70, and the base station 50 may use sectional antennae to increase the capacity of the base station 50 to approximately 1000 users. A plurality of base stations may -35_ 21078~~
be located approximately one block apart in dense urban areas.
The modulation of the radio wave broadcasts between the radio units and the base stations is irrelevant to the operation of the wireless debit card system, although different methods of modulation offer different advantages. For example, spread spectrum modulation and demodulation may be used to minimized interference between radio units.
For changing the credit amount and for changing the personal access number of the debit card, the end station 70 generates a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the ,personal access number of the debit card. In response to the 'second control signal, the radio unit 80 or the debit meter ioo ,'changes the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card inserted into the radio unit 80 or the debit meter 100, respectively.
As the personal access number follows the debit card and as ;the personal access number may be changed and may be used as a :'telephone number, each radio unit, for example, a radio ;telephone, may receive telephone calls to the personal access ;number as opposed to a fixed telephone number specifically assigned to the radio unit. In addition, each radio unit is assigned a radio unit access number which allows the radio unit to be accessed by other radio units or by other broadcast communications, for example, mobile cellular telephone broadcasts. The radio unit access number of the radio unit may 2~07$fi~ r be changed to the personal access number of the debit card inserted into the radio unit, so that each radio unit serves the personal access number of the inserted debit card at any given time. The wireless debit card system also allows a radio unit to serve more than one telephone number and/or personal access number.
Since the personal access number, used as a telephone number, for example, follows the debit card, a user A can insert the debit card of user A into person B's radio telephone for user A to receive calls and to make calls at person B's radio telephone, since.the end station 70 instructs person B's radio telephone to change the telephone number of the person B's radio telephone to user A's telephone-number stored as a personal access number on user A's debit card. As user A uses person B's radio telephone, user A's telephone calls are charged to user A's debit card, as opposed to having user A's telephone calls being .charged to person H.
In other embodiments, the insertion of user A's debit card pinto person B's radio telephone, for example, may initiate the :end station 70 to instruct person B's radio telephone to receive calls to both user A's telephone number and also to person B's telephone number, Appropriate instructions to the controller of person H's telephone may be used to erase user A's telephone number as an accessible telephone number for incoming calls at a later time.

~~o7~s~
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the wireless debit card system and method of the instant invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, and it is intended that the wireless debit card system and method of the instant invention cover modifications and variations of the provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wireless debit card system comprising:
a radio telephone including:
means for reading a credit amount and a telephone number from a debit card;
memory means for storing the credit amount and the telephone number from the debit card;
first processing means for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and from the telephone number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal; and changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card;
a base station, responsive to receiving the credit signal for relaying the credit signal over a communications channel;
an end station having a telephone switch, responsive to receiving the credit signal, for generating a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to said radio telephone, and to set a telephone number of said radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card with a communication path through said base station, and for generating a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the telephone number of the debit card;
wherein said radio telephone is responsive to the first control signal for allocating the credit amount of the debit card to said radio telephones, and for setting a telephone number of said radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card; and wherein the changing means of said radio telephone is responsive to the second control signal for changing the credit amount and the telephone number of the debit card.

2. A wireless debit card system comprising: a plurality of radio telephones, with each radio telephone including:
means for reading from a debit card a credit amount and a telephone number;
memory means for storing the credit amount and the telephone number from the debit card;
first processing means for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and from the telephone number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal;
changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card;
a base station, responsive to receiving each of the credit signals from said plurality of radio telephones, for relaying each of the credit signals over a communications channel;
an end station having a telephone switch, responsive to receiving the plurality of credit signals, for generating a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to one of said plurality of radio telephones, and to set a telephone number of said one radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card with a communication path through said base station, and for generating a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the telephone number of the debit card; and wherein said one radio telephone is responsive to the first control signal for allocating the credit amount of the debit card to said one radio telephone, and for setting a telephone number of said one radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card of said one radio telephone; and wherein the changing means of said one radio telephone is responsive to the second control signal for changing the credit amount and the telephone number of the debit card of said one radio telephone.

3. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the debit card includes a magnetic strip;
wherein the reading means of each radio telephone includes a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the telephone number from the magnetic strip; and wherein the changing means of each radio telephone includes a magnetic writer for rewriting the magnetic strip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

4. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the debit card includes a chip having a memory;
wherein the reading means of each radio telephone includes a reader processor for reading the credit amount and the telephone number from the memory of the chip; and wherein the changing means of each radio telephone includes a writer processor for rewriting the memory of the chip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

5. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:
a debit meter, operatively coupled to said base station, including:
meter processing means;
storing means for storing the credit amount and telephone number of the debit card; and changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card;
wherein said end station generates a third control signal for changing the credit amount of the debit card; and wherein the changing means of said debit meter, responsive to the third control signal, changes the credit amount of the debit card.

6. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said end station generates the third control signal for changing the telephone number of the debit card;
and wherein the changing means of said debit meter, responsive to the third control signal, changes the telephone number of the debit card.

7. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the debit card includes a magnetic strip;
wherein the reading means of each radio telephone includes a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the telephone number from the magnetic strip; and wherein the changing means of the debit meter includes a magnetic writer for rewriting the magnetic strip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

8. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the debit card includes a chip having a memory;
wherein the reading means of each radio telephone includes a reader processor for reading the credit amount and the telephone number from the memory of the chip; and wherein the changing means of said debit meter includes a writer processor for rewriting the memory of the chip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

9. A wireless debit card system comprising: at least one radio unit, each radio unit including:
means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
memory means for storing the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card;
first processing means for generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal; and changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card; and at least one base station, responsive to receiving the credit signal, for relaying the credit signal over a communications channel;
at least one end station, each end station having a communications switch, responsive to the credit signal, for generating a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to one of the said at least one radio unit, and to set the radio unit access number of the one of said at least one radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communications path through said base station and for generating a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card of the one of said at least one radio unit;
wherein the one of said at least one radio unit is responsive to the first control signal for allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the one of said at least one radio unit, and for setting a personal access number of the one of said at least one radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card of the one of said at least one radio unit; and wherein the changing means of the one of said at least one radio unit is responsive to the second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card of the one of said at least one radio unit.

10. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 9, wherein each radio unit, responsive to the first control signal, allocates the credit amount of the debit card to a respective radio unit, and sets a radio unit access number of the respective radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card.

11. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said radio units include at least one radio telephone.

12. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the personal access number is used as a telephone number to access said radio telephones.

13. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the debit card includes a magnetic strip;
wherein the reading means of each radio unit includes a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic strip; and wherein the changing means of each radio unit includes a magnetic writer for rewriting the magnetic strip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

14. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the debit card includes a chip having memory;
wherein the reading means of each radio telephone includes a reader processor for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the memory of the chip;
and wherein the changing means of each radio telephone includes a writer processor for rewriting the memory of the chip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

15. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 10, further comprising:
at least one debit meter, operatively coupled to a respective one of said base stations, each debit meter including:
storing means for storing the credit amount and personal access number of the debit card; and wherein each of said end stations generates a third control signal for changing the credit amount of the debit card; and wherein each of said debit meters, responsive to the third control signal, changes the credit amount of the debit card.

16. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the debit card includes a magnetic strip;
wherein the reading means of each radio unit includes a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic strip; and wherein the changing means of said debit meters includes a magnetic writer for rewriting the magnetic strip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

17. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the debit card includes a chip having a memory;
wherein the reading means of each radio unit includes a reader processor for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the memory of the chip; and wherein the changing means of said debit meters includes a writer processor for rewriting the memory of the chip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

18. A method, using a wireless debit card system including a plurality of radio telephones, a base station, and an end station, comprising the steps of:
accessing a radio telephone with a debit card;
reading a credit amount and a telephone number from the debit card;
storing the credit amount and the telephone number in a memory;
generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the telephone number;
transmitting, using radio waves, the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over a communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station;

generating a first control signal at the end station;
allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio telephone with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal; and setting a telephone number of the radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal.

19. A method, using a wireless debit card system including a radio unit, a base station, and an end station, comprising the steps of:
accessing the radio unit with a debit card;
reading a credit amount and a personal access number from the debit card;
generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
transmitting the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over a communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station;
allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit with a communication path through the base station; and setting a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station.

20. A method, using a wireless debit card system including a plurality of radio units, a base station, and an end station, comprising the steps of:
storing a credit amount and a personal access number on a debit card, accessing a radio unit with the debit card;
reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card;
generating a credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
transmitting the credit signal over a broadcast channel;
receiving the credit signal at the base station;
relaying the credit signal from the base station to the end station over a communications channel;
switching the credit signal at the end station;
generating a first control signal at the end station;
allocating the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal;
setting a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communication path through the base station using the first control signal;
generating a second control signal at the end station;

and changing the credit amount of the debit card using the second control signal.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of changing the personal access number of the debit card using the second control signal.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the step of the credit amount includes the steps of:
revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount;
and storing the updated credit amount on the debit card.

23. The method as set forth in claim 21 wherein the step of changing the amount includes the steps of:
revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount;
and storing the updated credit amount on the debit card.

24. The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein the step of changing the personal access number includes the steps of:
revising the personal access number as an updated access number; and storing the updated personal access number on the debit card.

25. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step, using a magnetic reader in the radio unit, of reading the magnetic format of the magnetic strip on the debit card; and wherein the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the radio unit, the credit amount and the personal access number in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card.

26. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step, using a reader processor in the radio unit, of reading a memory on a chip on the debit card; and wherein the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a writer processor in the radio unit, the credit amount and the personal access number in the memory on the chip on a debit card.

27. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the step of revising the credit amount includes the step, using a first processor in the radio unit, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated credit amount on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the radio unit, the credit amount in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card.

28. The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein the step of revising the credit amount includes the step, using a first processor in the radio unit, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the credit amount on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a writer processor in the radio unit, the credit amount in a memory on a chip on the debit card.

29. The method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the step of revising the personal access number includes the step, using a first processor in the radio unit, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the radio unit, the updated personal access number in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card.

30. The method as set forth in claim 24, wherein the step of revising the personal access number includes the step, using a first processor in the radio unit, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a writer processor in the radio unit, the updated personal access number in a memory on a chip on the debit card.

31. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number in a debit meter having a meter processor and a memory.

32. The method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the step of changing the personal access number of the debit card using the second control signal.

33. The method as set forth in claim 31 wherein the step of changing the credit amount includes the steps of:
revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount;
and storing the updated credit amount in the memory of the debit meter.

34. The method as set forth in claim 32 wherein the step of changing the credit amount includes the steps of:
revising the credit amount as an updated credit amount;
and storing the updated credit amount in the memory of the debit meter.

35. The method as set forth in claim 34 wherein the step of changing the personal access number includes the steps of:
revising the personal access number as an updated personal access number; and storing the updated personal access number in the memory in the debit meter.

36. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the debit meter, the credit amount and the personal access number in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card; and wherein the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step, using a magnetic reader in the radio unit, of reading the magnetic format of the magnetic strip on the debit card.

37. The method as set forth in claim 31, wherein the step of storing the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using the meter processor in the debit meter, the credit amount and the personal access number in a memory on a chip on the debit card; and wherein the step of reading the credit amount and the personal access number on the debit card includes the step, using a reader processor in the radio unit, of reading the memory on the chip on the debit card.

38. The method as set forth in claim 34, wherein the step of revising the credit amount includes the step, using the meter processor in the debit meter, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated credit amount on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the debit meter, the updated credit amount in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card.

39. The method as set forth in claim 34, wherein the step of revising the credit amount includes the step, using the meter processor in the debit meter, of generating an updated credit amount from the credit amount and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated credit amount on the debit card includes the step of writing, using the writer processor in the debit meter, the updated credit amount in a memory on a chip on the debit card.

40. The method as set forth in claim 35, wherein the step of revising the personal access number includes the step, using the meter processor in the debit meter, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using a magnetic writer in the debit meter, the updated personal access number in a magnetic format on a magnetic strip on the debit card.

41. The method as set forth in claim 35, wherein the step of revising the personal access number includes the step, using the meter processor in the debit meter, of generating an updated personal access number from the personal access number and from the second control signal; and wherein the step of storing the updated personal access number on the debit card includes the step of writing, using the writer processor in the debit meter, the updated personal access number in a memory on a chip on the debit card.

42. A radio unit for use in a wireless debit card system, the system having a base station for relaying signals between said radio unit and an end station over a communications channel, the end station sending to the radio unit a first and a second control signal in response to receiving a credit signal from the radio unit, the radio unit comprising:

means for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card;
memory means for storing the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card;
first processing means for generating the credit signal from the credit amount and the personal access number;
means for communicating, using radio waves, the credit signal and for receiving the first and second control signals; and changing means for changing the credit amount of the debit card; and wherein said radio unit is responsive to a first control signal for allocating the credit amount of the debit card to said radio unit, and for setting a telephone number of said radio telephone to the telephone number of the debit card; and wherein the changing means of said radio unit is responsive to a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card.

43. The radio unit as set forth in claim 42, wherein the debit card includes a magnetic strip;
wherein said reading means includes a magnetic reader for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the magnetic strip; and wherein said changing means includes a magnetic writer for rewriting the magnetic strip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

44. The radio unit as set forth in claim 42, wherein the debit card includes a chip having a memory;
wherein said reading means includes a reader processor for reading the credit amount and the personal access number from the memory of the chip; and wherein said changing means includes a writer processor for rewriting the memory of the chip to change the credit amount of the debit card.

45. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43, wherein the changing means, responsive to the second control signal, rewrites the magnetic strip to change the personal access number of the debit card.

46. The radio unit as set forth in claim 44, wherein the changing means, responsive to the second control signal, rewrites the memory of the chip to change the personal access number of the debit card.

47. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43, wherein said reading means further includes an elongated slot for passing a debit card there through to read the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card.

48. The radio unit as set forth in claim 44, wherein said reading means further includes an insertion slot for inserting a debit card to read the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card.

49. The radio unit as set forth in claim 45, wherein said reading means further includes an elongated slot for passing a debit card therethrough to read the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card.

50. The radio unit as set forth in claim 46, wherein said reading means further includes an insertion slot for inserting a debit card to read the credit amount and the personal access number from the debit card.

51. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43 wherein the radio unit is a radio telephone.

52. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43 wherein the radio unit is a facsimile machine.

53. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43 wherein the radio unit is a component of a computer.

54. The radio unit as set forth in claim 43 wherein the radio unit is a component of an automobile.

55. The radio unit as set forth in claim 51, wherein the personal access number is used as a telephone number to access the radio telephone.

56. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said radio telephone further includes display means for displaying the credit amount of the debit card.

57. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 56, wherein said radio telephone further includes display means for displaying the telephone number of the debit card.

58. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 56, wherein the first processing means of said radio telephone stores the credit amount as a count in a counter, decreases the count by an amount corresponding to a charge incurred by a user, and sends the count to said display means; and wherein said display means displays the count to the user.

59. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 9, wherein each radio unit further includes display means for displaying the credit amount of the debit card.

60. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 59, wherein each radio unit further includes display means for displaying the personal access number of the debit card.

61. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 59, wherein the first processing means of each radio unit stores the credit amount as a count in a counter, decreases the count by an amount corresponding to a charge incurred by a user, and sends the count to said display means; and wherein said display means displays the count to the user.

62. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 58, wherein said radio telephone further includes audio means for producing sounds.

63. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 62, wherein the first processing means of said radio telephone, responsive to the count passing a predetermined threshold, generates a warning signal; and wherein the audio means, responsive to the warning signal, generates a low credit warning sound.

64. The wireless debit card system as set forth in claim 62, wherein the first processing means of said radio telephone, responsive to the count equaling zero, generates a warning signal; and wherein the audio means, responsive to the warning signal, generates a zero credit warning sound.