Communication and proximity authorization systems

Abstract

A proximity service unit for providing at least one predetermined service for use with multiple types of wireless devices. The proximity service unit includes a multiple channel wireless transceiver, a proximity unit validation assembly, and a legacy activation unit. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives at least two signal types, such as infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives a request authorization code from each of a plurality of respective wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver without air time. The proximity unit validation assembly communicates with the multiple channel wireless transceiver and receives and validates the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver. The legacy activation unit receives a service authorization code and provides at least one predetermined service for each wireless device providing the request authorization code resulting in a service authorization code.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A proximity service unit for providing at least one predetermined service for use with multiple types of wireless devices, comprising:

a multiple channel wireless transceiver capable of receiving at least two signal types, the multiple channel wireless transceiver receiving a request authorization code from each of a plurality of respective wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver without air time, each wireless device being capable of communicating the request authorization code when the wireless device is within a predetermined proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver and each request authorization code uniquely identifying the wireless device from which the request authorization code is received;

a proximity unit validation assembly communicating with the multiple channel wireless transceiver receiving and validating the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver and outputting a service authorization code in response to each of the request authorization codes upon validating the respective request authorization code; and

a legacy activation unit receiving the service authorization codes and for providing at least one predetermined service for each wireless device providing the request authorization code resulting in a service authorization code.

2. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service provided by the legacy activation unit includes at least one of audio and visual communication services and wherein the legacy activation unit includes a multiple line bus communicating with a multiplexer unit and the multiple channel wireless transceiver so as to permit communication between the multiple channel wireless transceiver and the multiplexer unit, the multiplexer unit connected to a data connection for permitting simultaneous bidirectional communication between the multiple channel wireless transceiver and the data connection so as to provide the at least one of audio and visual communication services for the plurality of respective wireless devices providing the request authorization code resulting in the service authorization code.

3. The proximity service unit of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

4. The proximity service unit of claim 3, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

5. The proximity service unit of claim 2, further comprising a biometric unit receiving a biometric signal from an individual and outputting the biometric signal to the proximity unit validation assembly, the proximity unit validation assembly utilizing the biometric signal to validate the respective request authorization code.

6. The proximity service unit of claim 5, wherein the biometric unit includes an iris detection element for generating biometric signals indicative of the iris of the individual.

7. The proximity service unit of claim 5, wherein the biometric unit includes a fingerprint detector for generating biometric signals indicative of the fingerprint of the individual.

8. The proximity service unit of claim 5, wherein the biometric unit is provided on the proximity service unit.

9. The proximity service unit of claim 5, wherein the biometric unit is provided on respective ones of the wireless devices.

10. The proximity service unit of claim 2, further comprising a legacy payment interface unit and an interface control unit, the legacy payment interface unit receiving a signal indicative of a valid payment, and outputting a signal to the interface control unit, the interface control unit outputting a signal to the proximity unit validation assembly to output the service authorization code.

11. The proximity service unit of claim 10, wherein the legacy payment interface unit is a legacy coin payment interface unit determining whether the valid payment has been made by coin.

12. The proximity service unit of claim 10, wherein the legacy payment interface unit is a legacy credit card interface unit determining whether the valid payment has been made by credit card.

13. The proximity service unit of claim 2, wherein at least one additional predetermined service is provided.

14. The proximity service unit of claim 13, wherein the at least one additional predetermined service is selected from a group of services comprising automated teller services, garage door opener services, door lock services, vending machine services, television services, checkout services, live entertainment facilities services, and a mobile transportation service.

15. The proximity service unit of claim 13, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver is capable of receiving a second authorization code from the wireless devices for authorizing the additional predetermined service, the second authorization code uniquely identifying the respective wireless device from which the second authorization code was transmitted.

16. The proximity service unit of claim 15, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the signal strength of the wireless device transmitting the second request authorization code and of the wireless device transmitting the request authorization code, and transmits the second request authorization code to the proximity unit validation assembly if the signal strength of the wireless device transmitting the second request authorization code exceeds a first signal strength, and transmits the request authorization code to the proximity unit validation assembly if the signal strength of the wireless device transmitting the request authorization code exceeds a second signal strength.

17. The proximity service unit of claim 16, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

18. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a vehicle toll service.

19. The proximity service unit of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

20. The proximity service unit of claim 19, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

21. The proximity service unit of claim 18, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength from the wireless devices and a second signal strength from the wireless devices, and wherein the proximity unit validation assembly validates the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the first signal strength, and the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the second signal strength.

22. The proximity service unit of claim 21, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

23. The proximity service unit of claim 18, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a vehicle identification number, and a customer identification data.

24. The proximity service unit of claim 18, wherein the request authorization code is automatically transmitted to the multiple channel wireless transceiver by the wireless device.

25. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a transportation gate service.

26. The proximity service unit of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

27. The proximity service unit of claim 26, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

28. The proximity service unit of claim 25, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength from the wireless devices and a second signal strength from the wireless devices, and wherein the proximity unit validation assembly validates the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the first signal strength, and the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the second signal strength.

29. The proximity service unit of claim 28, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and multiple channels wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

30. The proximity service unit of claim 25, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a vehicle identification number, and a customer identification data.

31. The proximity service unit of claim 25, wherein the request authorization code is automatically transmitted to the multiple channel wireless transceiver by the wireless device.

32. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is selected from a group of automated teller services.

33. The proximity service unit of claim 32, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

34. The proximity service unit of claim 32, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

35. The proximity service unit of claim 32, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength from the wireless devices and a second signal strength from the wireless devices, and wherein the proximity unit validation assembly validates the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the first signal strength, and the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the second signal strength.

36. The proximity service unit of claim 35, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

37. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a vehicle services, controlling at least a portion for a vehicle.

38. The proximity service unit of claim 37, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

39. The proximity service unit of claim 38, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

40. The proximity service unit of claim 37, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a vehicle identification number, and a customer identification data.

41. The proximity service unit of claim 37, further comprising an antitheft device deactuating the ignition of the vehicle in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver receiving an antitheft code from a remote wireless transmitter.

42. The proximity service unit of claim 37, wherein the request authorization code is automatically transmitted to the multiple channel wireless transceiver by the wireless device.

43. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is at least two services selected from a group of services comprising activating a garage door opener, activating a doorlock, activating a vending machine, and activating a television set.

44. The proximity service unit of claim 43, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

45. The proximity service unit of claim 44, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

46. The proximity service unit of claim 43, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength from the wireless devices and a second signal strength from the wireless devices, and wherein the proximity unit validation assembly validates the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the first signal strength, and the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the second signal strength.

47. The proximity service unit of claim 46, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

48. The proximity service unit of claim 43, wherein the request authorization code includes a PIN number.

49. The proximity service unit of claim 43, wherein a list of authorized codes for validating the request authorization codes are stored in a remote database.

50. The proximity service unit of claim 49, wherein the remote database is maintained by an Internet service provider.

51. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is at least two services selected from a group of services comprising activating a gate entry system, activating a POS system, activating a vending machine, and activating a kiosk machine.

52. The proximity service unit of claim 51, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

53. The proximity service unit of claim 52, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

54. The proximity service unit of claim 51, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength from the wireless devices and a second signal strength from the wireless devices, and wherein the proximity unit validation assembly validates the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the first signal strength, and the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver detecting the second signal strength.

55. The proximity service unit of claim 54, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

56. The proximity service unit of claim 51, wherein the request authorization code includes a PIN number.

57. The proximity service unit of claim 51, wherein a list of authorized codes for validating the request authorization codes are stored in a remote database.

58. The proximity service unit of claim 57, wherein the remote database is maintained by an Internet service provider.

59. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a gasoline dispensing service.

60. The proximity service unit of claim 59, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

61. The proximity service unit of claim 60, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

62. The proximity service unit of claim 59, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a credit data, and a customer identification data.

63. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a vending machine service for at least one of dispensing goods and providing predetermined services.

64. The proximity service unit of claim 63, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

65. The proximity service unit of claim 64, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

66. The proximity service unit of claim 63, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a credit data, and a customer identification data.

67. The proximity service unit of claim 63, wherein the proximity unit validation assembly includes a predetermined set of service provider identification codes stored therein for which the vending machine service was authorized, and wherein the request authorization code includes a service provider identification number and a customer code, the proximity unit validation assembly storing the customer code and utilizing the service provider identification number and the customer code in the request authorization code, and the predetermined set of service provider identification codes in validating the respective request authorization code.

68. The proximity service unit of claim 67, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver receives an authorization code that authorizes the collection of the customer codes from the proximity unit validation assembly.

69. The proximity service unit of claim 67, further comprising a high power transmitter uploading the customer code and the service provider identification number to a service provider for collection after the vending machine service has been provided.

70. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a checkout service for receiving a customer's payment for at least one of goods and services.

71. The proximity service unit of claim 70, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

72. The proximity service unit of claim 71, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

73. The proximity service unit of claim 70, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a credit data, and a customer identification data.

74. The proximity service unit of claim 70, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver receives a contest notification signal from at least one of the wireless devices so as to notify the proximity unit validation assembly that the wireless device is in a retail store in which the proximity service unit is disposed, the notification signal uniquely identifying the respective wireless device from which the contest notification signal was transmitted.

75. The proximity service unit of claim 74, wherein the proximity unit validation assembly receives the contest notification signal from the multiple channel wireless transceiver and enters the unique identification of the wireless device into a contest.

76. The proximity service unit of claim 74, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver includes a dual distance signaling feature so as to only detect the contest notification signal from the wireless devices within a first proximity distance from the proximity service unit and to only detect the request authorization code from the wireless devices within a second proximity distance from the proximity service unit and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

77. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a mobile transportation service.

78. The proximity service unit of claim 77 further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

79. The proximity service unit of claim 78, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

80. The proximity service unit of claim 77, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a credit data, and a customer identification data.

81. The proximity service unit of claim 1, wherein the predetermined service is a parking meter service for charging for parking.

82. The proximity service unit of claim 81, further comprising a plurality of multiple channel wireless transceivers with at least two of the multiple channel wireless transceivers being adapted to receive different types of wireless signals from the multiple wireless devices.

83. The proximity service unit of claim 82, wherein the different types of wireless signals are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

84. The proximity service unit of claim 83, wherein the request authorization code includes at least one of a credit data, and a customer identification data.

85. The proximity service unit of claim 81, wherein the proximity unit validation assembly includes a predetermined set of service provider identification codes stored therein for which the parking meter service was authorized, and wherein the request authorization code includes a service provider identification number and a customer code, the proximity unit validation assembly storing the customer code and utilizing the service provider identification number and the customer code in the request authorization code, and the predetermined set of service provider identification codes in validating the respective request authorization code.

86. The proximity service unit of claim 85, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver receives a collection authorization code from a mobile interrogator that authorizes the collection of the customer codes from the proximity unit validation assembly to the mobile interrogator.

87. The proximity service unit of claim 86, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver includes a dual distance signaling feature so as to only detect the mobile interrogator within a first proximity distance from the proximity service unit and to only detect the wireless device within a second proximity distance from the proximity service unit and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

88. The proximity service unit of claim 86, wherein the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a first signal strength and transmits the collection authorization code to the proximity unit validation assembly in response to the mobile interrogator being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and the multiple channel wireless transceiver detects a second signal strength and transmits the request authorization code to the proximity unit validation assembly in response to the wireless device being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver, and wherein the first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance.

89. The proximity service unit of claim 85, further comprising a high power transmitter uploading the customer code and the service provider identification number to a service provider for collection after the parking meter service has been provided.

90. A proximity authorization unit for use with proximity service units, some of the proximity service units being capable of receiving information via a first signal and some of the proximity service units being capable of receiving information via a second signal, the second signal being different from the first signal, and each of the proximity service units providing a predetermined service when activated in response to receiving a request authorization code, the proximity authorization unit comprising:

a portable housing;

a computer unit supported by the housing and having the request authorization code stored therein; and

a communication unit supported by the housing, the computer unit retrieving the request authorization code and the communication unit outputting the request authorization code on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and the communication unit outputting the request authorization code via the second signal to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

91. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the communication unit is a low power communication unit not two way connected to a wireless communication network controlled from a central control center.

92. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

93. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number.

94. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, further comprising means for communicating audio and video information in a format perceivable by an individual located adjacent to the portable housing.

95. The proximity authorization unit of claim 94, further comprising means for receiving at least one of audio and video information from the individual, the at least one of audio and video information being transmitted to the communication unit, and wherein the communication unit outputs the audio and video information on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and outputs the audio and video information on the second signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

96. The proximity authorization unit of claim 94, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

97. The proximity authorization unit of claim 94, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number such that the proximity service unit provides local authorization of the request authorization code.

98. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the computer unit stores biometric data indicative of an individual authorized to use the proximity authorization unit and further comprising a biometric unit on the portable housing, the biometric unit receiving a biometric signal from an individual, and outputting the biometric signal to the computer unit such that the computer unit receives the biometric signal and compares the biometric signal with the biometric data for preventing unauthorized usage of the proximity authorization unit.

99. The proximity authorization unit of claim 98, wherein the biometric unit outputs the biometric signal to the communication unit, the communication unit outputting the biometric signal on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and the communication unit outputting the biometric signal via the second signal to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

100. The proximity authorization unit of claim 98, wherein the communication unit is a low power communication unit.

101. The proximity authorization unit of claim 98, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

102. The proximity authorization unit of claim 98, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number.

103. The proximity authorization unit of claim 98, further comprising means for communicating audio and video information in a format perceivable by a user located adjacent to the portable housing.

104. The proximity authorization unit of claim 103, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

105. The proximity authorization unit of claim 103, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number such that the proximity service unit provides local authorization of the request authorization code.

106. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the communication unit is capable of receiving signals indicative of at least one of messages and data, and wherein the proximity authorization unit further comprises means for recording the messages and data and means for playing back the messages and data.

107. The proximity authorization unit of claim 106, wherein the communication unit is a low power communication unit not two way connected to a wireless communication network controlled from a central control center.

108. The proximity authorization unit of claim 106, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

109. The proximity authorization unit of claim 106, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number.

110. The proximity authorization unit of claim 106, further comprising means for communicating audio and video information in a format perceivable by an individual located adjacent to the portable housing.

111. The proximity authorization unit of claim 110, further comprising means for receiving at least one of audio and video information from the individual, the at least one of audio and video information being transmitted to the communication unit, and wherein the communication unit outputs the audio and video information on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and outputs the audio and video information on the second signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

112. The proximity authorization unit of claim 110, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

113. The proximity authorization unit of claim 110, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number such that the proximity service unit provides local authorization of the request authorization code.

114. The proximity authorization unit of claim 106, wherein the computer unit stores biometric data indicative of an individual authorized to use the proximity authorization unit and further comprising a biometric unit on the portable housing, the biometric unit receiving a biometric signal from an individual, and outputting the biometric signal to the computer unit such that the computer unit receives the biometric signal and compares the biometric signal with the biometric data for preventing unauthorized usage of the proximity authorization unit.

115. The proximity authorization unit of claim 114, wherein the biometric unit outputs the biometric signal to the communication unit, the communication unit outputting the biometric signal on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and the communication unit outputting the biometric signal via the second signal to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

116. The proximity authorization unit of claim 114, wherein the communication unit is a low power communication unit not two way connected to a wireless communication network controlled from a central control center.

117. The proximity authorization unit of claim 114, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

118. The proximity authorization unit of claim 114, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number.

119. The proximity authorization unit of claim 114, further comprising means for communicating audio and video information in a format perceivable by a user located adjacent to the portable housing.

120. The proximity authorization unit of claim 119, wherein the first and second signal are selected from a group comprising infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals.

121. The proximity authorization unit of claim 119, wherein the request authorization code includes a customer identification code and a service provider identification number such that the proximity service unit provides local authorization of the request authorization code.

122. The proximity authorization unit of claim 90, wherein the portable housing is configured to be worn by an individual.

123. The proximity authorization unit of claim 122, wherein the portable housing is in the form of a bracelet.

124. The proximity authorization unit of claim 123, further comprising a power reception unit electrically connected to the computer unit and the communication unit, the power reception unit receiving a power signal from at least one of the proximity service units, and in response to receiving the power signal, the power reception unit providing a source of power to the computer unit and the communication unit for a period of time sufficient for the computer unit to retrieve the request authorization code and the communication unit to output the request authorization code on the first signal, and to output the request authorization code on the second signal.

125. The proximity authorization unit of claim 122, further comprising at least one light source positioned on the portable housing, and a light control assembly electrically connected to the light source for selectively actuating and deactuating the light source.

126. The proximity authorization unit of claim 122, further comprising a power reception unit electrically connected to the computer unit and the communication unit, the power reception unit receiving a power signal from at least one of the proximity service units, and in response to receiving the power signal, the power reception unit providing a source of power to the computer unit and the communication unit for a period of time sufficient for the computer unit to retrieve the request authorization code and the communication unit to output the request authorization code on the first signal, and to output the request authorization code on the second signal.

127. The proximity authorization unit of claim 126, wherein the power reception unit is electrically connected to the light control assembly, and wherein upon reception of the power signal by the power reception unit, the power reception unit outputs a signal to the light control assembly to cause the light control assembly to actuate the light source.

128. The proximity authorization unit of claim 126, wherein the communication unit receives a service authorization code from at least one of the proximity service units, the service authorization code indicating that the request authorization code has been validated, and wherein the light control assembly receives a signal from the communication unit in response to the communication unit receiving the service authorization code so as to cause the light control assembly to actuate the light source to indicate to the individual that the request authorization code has been validated.

129. A proximity authorization transaction system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless devices with at least two of the wireless devices being of a different type, at least some of the wireless devices outputting a request authorization code;

a plurality of proximity service units with each of the proximity service units capable of providing a predetermined service, at least two of the proximity service units providing different predetermined services and the at least two of the proximity service units comprising:

a multiple channel wireless transceiver capable of receiving at least two signal types, the multiple channel wireless transceiver receiving the request authorization code from some of the plurality of wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices are capable of communicating simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver without air time, each wireless device being capable of communicating the request authorization code when the wireless device is within a predetermined proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver and each request authorization code uniquely identifying the wireless device from which the request authorization code is received;

a proximity unit validation assembly communicating with the multiple channel wireless transceiver receiving and validating the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver and outputting a service authorization code in response to each of the request authorization codes upon validating the respective request authorization code; and

legacy activation unit and for providing at least one predetermined service for each wireless device providing the request authorization code resulting in a service authorization code.

130. The proximity authorization transaction system of claim 129, wherein some of the proximity service units are capable of receiving information via a first signal and some of the proximity service units are capable of receiving information via a second signal, the second signal being different from the first signal, and wherein at least one of the wireless devices comprises:

a portable housing;

a computer unit supported by the housing and having the request authorization code stored therein; and

a communication unit supported by the housing, the computer unit retrieving the request authorization code and the communication unit outputting the request authorization code on the first signal for communication to the proximity service units capable of receiving the first signal, and the computer unit retrieving the request authorization code and the communication unit outputting the request authorization code via the second signal to the proximity service units capable of receiving the second signal.

131. A proximity service unit for providing at least one predetermined service for use with multiple types of wireless devices, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of receiving at least two signal types, the wireless transceiver receiving a request authorization code from each of a plurality of respective wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the wireless transceiver without air time, each wireless device being capable of communicating the request authorization code when the wireless device is within a predetermined proximity distance from the wireless transceiver and each request authorization code uniquely identifying the wireless device from which the request authorization code is received;

a proximity unit validation assembly communicating with the wireless transceiver receiving and validating the plurality of request authorization codes received by the wireless transceiver and outputting a service authorization code in response to each of the request authorization codes upon validating the respective request authorization code;

a legacy activation unit and for providing at least one predetermined service for each wireless device providing the request authorization code resulting in a service authorization code;

an interface control unit; and

a legacy payment interface unit, the legacy payment interface unit receiving a signal indicative of a valid payment, and outputting a signal to the interface control unit, the interface control unit outputting a signal to the proximity unit validation assembly to output the service authorization code.

132. The proximity service unit of claim 131, wherein the proximity unit validation assembly outputs the request authorization code to a third party for validation, and outputs the service authorization code in response to receiving a validation signal from the third party.

133. A method for activating a proximity service unit capable of providing a predetermined service, comprising:

providing a plurality of wireless devices with at least two of the wireless devices being of a different type, each of the wireless devices storing a request authorization code uniquely identifying the wireless device;

providing a plurality of proximity service units with each of the proximity service units capable of providing a predetermined service, at least two of the proximity service units providing different predetermined services;

outputting a request authorization code by at least some of the wireless devices;

receiving, by the proximity service units, the request authorization code from the wireless devices outputting the request authorization code such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the proximity service unit without air time;

validating by the proximity service units receiving the request authorization code to generate a service authorization code; and

outputting the service authorization code for each request authorization code which is validated.

134. A proximity authorization transaction system, comprising:

a wireless device having a request authorization code stored therein, the wireless device being capable of communicating via a wireless link and a physical link, the wireless device outputting the request authorization code by at least one of the wireless link and the physical link; and

a proximity service unit having a physical adapter element receiving at least a portion of the wireless device to establish the physical link, the proximity service unit capable of providing a predetermined service upon validation of the request authorization code, the proximity service unit capable of communicating with the wireless device via the wireless link and the physical link, and receiving the request authorization code by at least one of the wireless link and the physical link, and the proximity service unit and the wireless device establishing communication by both the wireless link and the physical link as a condition of the validation of the request authorization code.

135. A method for providing a predetermined service, comprising:

providing a wireless device having a request authorization code stored therein, the wireless device capable of communicating via a wireless link and a physical link;

providing a proximity service unit capable of providing a predetermined service upon validation of the request authorization code, the proximity service unit capable of communicating with the wireless device via the wireless link and the physical link, the proximity service unit having a physical adapter element receiving at least a portion of the wireless device to establish the physical link;

outputting, by the wireless device, the request authorization code by at least one of the wireless link and the physical link,

receiving, by the proximity service unit, the request authorization code by at least one of the wireless link and the physical link; and

establishing communication between the proximity service unit and the wireless device by the physical link when the request authorization code is output by the wireless link, and establishing communication by the wireless link when the request authorization code is output by the physical link; and thereafter validating the request authorization code by the proximity service unit.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pico pay phone system (PPS). The present invention will allow multiple wireless devices to access a single pay phone or other public kiosk communication unit designed to detect and recognize multiple wireless service providers' signals and protocols at the same time. In particular, the invention is directed to services provided by either public communication companies, such as SWBT or GTE, or kiosk companies, such as Air Touch, located in airports and large hotels along with private company services, such as offered by DirectTV and AT&T Cable (formally TCI). The preferred embodiment has a minimum of four types of wireless signaling detection capabilities such as Infrared, 900 Mhz, 1.8 Ghz and one other FCC-approved signaling detection capability plus the frequency of the original wireless specialty device if the proximity system already has such a design (for example in the case of Digital Cable Systems there is a remote control unit). For each of the distinct communication capabilities, the PPS has an automatic detection system to recognize both the type of service and service provider protocols and wireless device features. The system has wireless base station multiple channel capability on the input side for each of the types of signals (Infrared, 900 Mhz, 1.8 Ghz, etc.) and multiple channel time division multiplex (TDM) capability on the output side using a standard high speed switch connected to, for example, a T1 line (or several T1 lines) such as used in most office buildings or network service provider systems today. Thus, a single unit can easily service several hundred phones simultaneously for, for example, $0.35 cents each. This will potentially bring in several thousand dollars a day per phone or kiosk instead of less than a hundred dollars a day for existing pay phones and kiosks. In addition, the preferred embodiment has a biometrics recognition system for ID and credit transaction services. The PPS can also issue access numbers to people so they do not have to stand in line and wait to access the service when they have to pay real money because they are not recognized by the credit authorization system of the Invention.

The Proximity Authorization Transaction System (PATAS) invention is first directed to a general multiple signal frequency transceiver transaction unit (also referred to herein as a multiple channel wireless transceiver) designed to operate with most of the wireless device frequency signal types approved by the FCC for the digital cell phone, pager, and Infrared devices in use today and that will be in use during the next 10 years that can be used or adapted to most any proximity system. Then descriptions of adapting PATAS for each of the more specific proximity systems (also referred to herein as proximity service units) are provided, along with the inclusion of the cross features shared by some of the systems, such as the incorporation of the PPS invention into an ATM unit along with other ATM features.

The specific improved proximity systems include, but are not limited to, proximity systems such as (1) vehicle toll systems (2) subway and bus systems, (3) vehicle systems, (4) ATM systems, (5) buildings and hotel systems, (6) home access systems (7) garage door systems, (8) parking lot systems (9) parking meter systems, (10) store checkout systems, (11) gas dispensing systems (12) mobile transportation credit systems and (13) vending machine systems, and (14) large public or private facility systems, such as entertainment facilities, that network any combination of the proximity systems (1) through (13) together to have an integrated facility management system. For example, the entertainment facility could be a stadium having ATM systems, store checkout systems, parking lot systems, parking meters systems, and vending machine systems which are networked and integrated together such that a consumer need only use a wireless device as discussed herein to activate and thereby receive each of these services or goods.

The present invention also relates to a master proximity signaling unit MPSU (also referred to herein as a proximity authorization unit). The MPSU is an alternative to having to pay for high power wireless communication devices and/or services, such as a cell phone or pager or hand held computer with wireless communication features just to get the convenience of a single device handling most of the proximity services people use in their daily lives. The MPSU incorporates multiple low power type signaling capability into a low cost device specifically designed to allow all the multiple proximity services authorization devices to be incorporated into a single unit. The single unit can deliver the information to the proximity service provider machine (also referred to herein as a proximity service unit) in a much simpler and more convenient manner than done with existing devices and at less cost. In addition the MPSU can be used to communicate over local pico payphone networks as described in the application (Pico Phone). Thus the Invention described herein allows the consumer to have a very inexpensive proximity authorization unit to replace the 10 to 20 devices and cards now required and that also can serve as an inexpensive communication device without the wireless service provider costs attached. In essence the invention can replace all the cards, keys, signaling devices, and communication devices with a single unit that is lightweight and easy to carry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic elements of the Pico PaySystem (PPS).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the elements for controlling simultaneous multiple wireless inputs and the multiple land line connections.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the multiple signal detection elements and legacy wireless base station units.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the computer interface programs and legacy unit interface elements.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the biometric adapter interface elements.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a wireless device preferred input/output communication capability elements.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing other proximity systems that can be made to operate with wireless or an advanced wireless authorization unit of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a basic interface between the Advanced Wireless Authorization Unit (AWAU) and the Legacy Authorization Transaction Unit (LATU).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local Toll/Subway multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local ATM multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local parking and meter system multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local garage, house, building and hotel multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local gas dispensing system multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local store checkout system multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local vehicle system multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local mobile transportation credit system multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the elements of a local vending machine multiple signal detection and transaction unit.

FIG. 18 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the Pico Pay System.

FIG. 19 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the general PATAS.

FIG. 20a is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the vehicle phone system.

FIG. 20b is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the subway/bus system.

FIG. 21 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the ATM System.

FIG. 22a is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the parking system.

FIG. 22b is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the parking meter system.

FIG. 23a is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the garage access and control system.

FIG. 23b is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the building and hotel system.

FIG. 23c is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the house access and control system.

FIG. 24 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the gas dispensing system.

FIG. 25 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the store checkout system.

FIG. 26 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the vehicle system.

FIG. 27 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the mobile transportation credit system.

FIG. 28 is a table that summarizes the special features and functions of the vending machine system.

FIG. 29 illustrates common proximity services now operated by separate cards or keys or special signaling devices plus the low power proximity phone service (i.e. public communication unit) feature of the Invention.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a proximity authorization unit constructed in accordance with the present invention and for use in the system depicted in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a more detailed view of a transmitter/receiver unit of the proximity authorization unit of FIG. 30 and a more detailed view of a proximity service unit for use in the system depicted in FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a control unit allowing the owner to operate the various functions offered by the proximity authorization unit.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a physical adapter element, constructed in accordance with the present invention, that allows direct readout of code information not requiring wireless signaling to be used.

FIG. 34 shows a wireless signaling diagram for performing multilevel functions incorporating features of the present invention that may be required in the proximity authorization process.

FIG. 35 shows the proximity authorization unit being utilized in combination with the public communication unit shown in FIG. 1 so as to form a pico pay system.

FIG. 36 shows a logic diagram for a biometric unit connecting the proximity authorization unit and the proximity service unit.

FIG. 37 shows a side elevational view of a proximity authorization unit incorporating features of the present invention with a computer unit, a power reception unit, a light control assembly and a transmifter/receiver unit shown in phantom.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a wrist of an individual, having the proximity authorization unit of FIG. 37 disposed thereon, extended through a power antenna for providing a power signal to the power reception unit of the proximity authorization unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Pico Pay System

The terms "no air time", "do not require air time", "no air time costs", "no customer air time charges", "without air time" or similar terms, as used herein mean that when a communication is made between a wireless device and some type of service provider, such as a pay phone system, vending machine system, toll collection system, credit card system, ATM (automated teller machine) system, vehicle system, subway or toll booth system, checkout station system, parking meter system, mobile credit system, or the like, a commercial communication service provider, such as Air Touch Communications, Sprint or the like, is not activated and the user or customer is not charged air time. Thus, the terms "no air time", "do not require air time", "no air time costs", "no customer air time charges", "without air time" or similar terms refer to the communication being made between the wireless device and the service provider without using commercial airwave communication channels.

The various aspects of a pico pay system (PPS) 6 invention can be described with the aid of FIGS. 1 through 6. The general operation will be described with the aid of FIG. 1 in which an airport and trade show scenario 10b and building/hotel/apartment scenario 10a are depicted. In both cases, public communication units 8a and 8b (functionally shown as public communication unit 50) are shown that takes both the conventional single pay phone caller in the conventional fashion but also connects multiple wireless devices 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d (functionally shown as wireless devices 40) to their respectively requested telephone numbers via lines 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d (functionally shown as 45) and via lines 15a, and 15b (functionally shown as 55) using the public communication system 60 that functionally represents connections through the required public communication switches 20, last mile connections 25 and ultimately to the requested parties 30 during the same time period. During the remainder of the description it will be understood that multiple wireless devices 40 are connected to the public communication units 50 and the public communication system 60 during the same time period. Also it will be understood that the wireless devices such as 5a, 5b, and 5d can be made by different suppliers and can be operating at least on one of three different signaling frequencies such as an Infrared region, 900 Mhz region and 1.8 Ghz region and different protocols as designed by the manufacturer in their different models.

For example the public communication unit 50 can detect and service a simple wireless home phone (wireless device 40) and simultaneously a sophisticated portable computer (wireless device 40) or PDA (wireless device 40) that has an infrared modem with multimedia capability. The public communication unit 50 also can detect the popular analog and digital cell and pager phones made by Motorola, Nokia, Ericsson, NEC and others. In addition the public communication unit 50 anticipates advanced wireless devices such as those described in co-pending applications (09/325,500), which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference, and a MPSU (i.e., a proximity authorization unit described hereinafter) that have fingerprint authorization features and capability built in to interface with pay phones of the type described herein.

With the aid of FIG. 2 the elements for interfacing with these multiple type wireless devices 40 in a simultaneous manner are described where the wireless devices 40 and the public communication unit 50 are shown in greater detail.

Four wireless devices 40 are shown and designated by the reference numerals 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d. The public communication unit 50 has multiple channels, and thus can have several wireless devices 40 connected represented by 40ap40aq, 40cr and 40ds where p, q, r, and s each can be any number up to several hundred. The wireless devices 40 are connected to the public communication unit 50 via wireless links 45ap, 45aq, 45cr and 45ds where as a conventional pay phone caller is physically connected to public communication unit 50 via line 201 using the legacy pay phone equipment represented by 200. The conventional caller is connected to the requested party in the conventional manner via line 202 connected to the public communication system 60 via line 551.

The wireless device callers are connected to their respective requested parties via a wireless device front end unit 210 described in more detail in FIG. 3 via a multiple line bus 250 controlled by a computer unit 220 (such as a Motorola 68000 series communication computer chip) and a legacy line multiplex unit 230 such as a using Multiplex unit out of a MGX 8800 series unit made by Cisco Inc. that can map up to 10,000 lines to a single port. The legacy line multiplex unit 230 connects each of the wireless devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d to their respective parties over a single wide bandwidth line 55 using different TDM channels represented by the group 55ap for the wireless devices connected via 45ap connections, 55bq for the wireless devices connected via connections 45bq, etc. Thus up to several hundred wireless callers can each use the same pay phone/Kiosk (public communication unit 50) at the same time as a single conventional caller uses the phone in a physical manner. In addition, the public communication unit 50 can have a biometric unit 240 controlled by the PPS computer unit 220 in which an available legacy fingerprint unit installed in the biometric unit 240 (such as a Veriprint 2100 model from Biometric Inc.) is used for additional authorization means when requested by the service provider before supplying the requested service data such as bank records or money transfers. The heart of the computer unit 220 can be any of a number of DSP Motorola computers like a MC68230 easily programmable by those skilled in the art or in the case of a Kiosk unit a low cost network dual purpose computer such as a Dell 1300 series using a Linux operating system can be used to control the PPS elements as well as other customer service features that might be provided by the Kiosk unit. The computer unit 220 has all of the other normal computer elements (not shown) required to operate such as RAM and permanent memory elements.

The functions to be programmed are described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and except for the various payment methods described in connection with FIG. 4. The computer unit 220 programs are primarily interface programs to the communication operating systems available with the legacy equipment. The computer unit 220 interfaces via line 208 with the legacy pay phone or Kiosk existing physical equipment and functions 200 via a PPS interface unit 207 (and described in more detail in connection with FIG. 4).

The legacy pay phone equipment 200 has equipment such as the keyboard input unit, coin payment unit, credit card reader equipment, and audio/video customer interface units available in most public communication payment units in use today and is connected to the PPS interface unit 207 via line 205 to ensure that all of the added PPS equipment and control circuits have the proper electrical, mechanical and timing interface matches with the existing legacy pay phone equipment 200. In the case of a completely new unit that incorporates the PPS features the manufacturer can integrate all of the features described herein with the legacy features of single connect physical connect payphones and Kiosks.

The computer unit 220 controls the timing and connection administration via line 215 connected to the wireless device front end unit 210 described in connection with FIG. 3 and the legacy line multiplex unit 230 via line 225 described earlier.

The communication heart of the PPS is the wireless device front end unit 210 of FIG. 2 that is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. The wireless device front end unit 210 is the basis for the independent claims involving a multiple signal type transaction authorization unit (also referred to herein as a multiple channel wireless transceiver).

In general, the wireless device front end unit 210 includes a multiple channel wireless transceiver 212 capable of receiving at least two signal types. The multiple channel wireless transceiver 212 receives a request authorization code from each of a plurality of the wireless devices 40 such that the plurality of wireless devices 40 communicate simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver 212 without air time. Each wireless device 40 is capable of communicating the request authorization code when the wireless device 40 is within a predetermined proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver 212 and each request authorization code uniquely identifies the wireless device 40 from which the request authorization code is received.

In FIG. 3 the elements of the preferred embodiment of the wireless device front end unit 210 (which may or may not be located in the same housing as the other PPS elements) are shown where for example the wireless devices 40ap use Infrared signaling and are connected to Infrared transceiver units 310ap via lines 45ap. The infrared transceiver units 310ap are connected to a multiple channel Infrared antenna capable of communicating with multiple wireless devices 40ap up to at least a predetermined proximity distance such as a hundred feet. The infrared transceiver units 310ap can be obtained from Texas Instruments, for example.

The infrared transceivers 310ap (these might be separate units or a single multiplexed unit) are connected to a legacy Infrared Base station unit 320a via line 315ap that can handle several hundred channels simultaneously. Each authorized channel 250ap is connected to the multiple line Bus 250 when an authorization signal is provided to the legacy infrared base station unit 320a from the computer unit 220 via line 215.

The connection authorization is made either by obtaining authorization from a credit card or entering a request authorization code provided by physical pay numbering described in more detail in connection with FIG. 4. The request authorization code described above is for the access to the public communication system 60 and does not authorize long distance or other services wherein payment fees depend on the service provided.

For example when a wireless (or physical caller) dials a 1-800 number authorization would most likely be automatically given as soon as the 1-800 was decoded by the legacy infrared base station unit 320a and sent to the computer unit 220 via line 215 for processing as is currently the case with most public pay phone systems.

The other type of wireless devices 40aq, 40cr and 40ds are described to operate in a manner similar to that just described. The 900 Mhz devices connection procedure are described by repeating the above description and replacing elements 45ap, 310ap 315ap, 320a, 255ap above with 45bq, 310bq, 315bq, 320b and 255bq respectively along with replacing the word "Infrared" with "900 Mhz". The 1.8 Ghz device group and other frequency wireless device group are similarly described by substituting the elements 45cr, 310cr, 15cr, 20c and 255cr for 1.8 Ghz devices and 45ds, 310ds, 315ds, 315d, and 255ds for other wireless frequency groups approved by the FCC. Base station capability for the 900 Mhz and 1.8 Ghz are readily available from suppliers such as the GSN dual mode model 900/1800 from Nokia.

In summary, the heart of the PPS communication operation is the ability to handle many types of wireless devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, (or 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d) both in terms of device signaling frequencies and in terms of device protocols. The device protocol capability is discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 6.

As discussed in connection with the prior art there has been very little done to service multiple wireless devices even in the private market because there is very little incentive for a wireless LAN (WLAN) vendor to have multiple capability within the same customer complex. It is much easier to tell the customer to use the same type of WLAN than trying to anticipate the different types of wireless devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d a customer might purchase. Thus the advantage of designing a multiple wireless signal type interface (WLAN) unit for the public market is that the consumer has already demonstrated the willingness to pay for wireless interconnect convenience.

The public communication unit 50 is also provided with a proximity unit validation assembly 214 communicating with the multiple channel wireless transceiver 212. The proximity unit validation assembly 214 receives and validates the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver 212 and outputs a service authorization code in response to each of the request authorization codes upon validating the respective request authorization code.

To provide for both coin and credit transactions special types of access numbering methods must be utilized so several hundred customers do not have to stand in line waiting for access to a single unit. One such system can be described with the aid of FIG. 4. The PPS interface unit 207 is provided with a customer authorization memory unit 410 that keeps track of what wireless customer is assigned what active number. The active numbers range from 0001 to 9999 for example so that up to 10,000 wireless devices 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d can be serviced simultaneously if required for example in a large building such as a hotel during a large trade show such as COMDEX. The purpose of keeping track of the wireless customers is two fold. One reason is to control the legacy line multiplex unit 230 connecting the Public communication system party to the respective wireless device 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d. The second reason is that if the wireless device owner pays by coin then a request authorization code is given to the wireless device owner (say number 0026) so that the wireless device owner can enter the request authorization code at his convenience as long as the request authorization code is entered before some predetermined time later (say 15 minutes) and the owners wireless device 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d will be connected to an outside line.

This is similar to taking a number when entering a service office so that you do not have to stand in line while waiting for the service. Only this is better because as soon as the wireless device owner is ready for the service after getting the request authorization code, they can have the service. The request authorization codes are assigned by the computer unit 220 either after a signal via line 215 that is generated each time a request by one of the wireless transceiver units 310, such as the infrared transceiver units 310ap signals it needs a new number because a new customer device 40 is trying to get service.

The computer unit 220 then generates a number not currently in use and starts a timer that will run a predetermined time unless turned off because time has expired or a public communication connection is made via line 55.

If the timer expires before a connection is made the customer number is released in the available customer number pool and the wireless device 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d must be reconnected by the same process. In cases where the wireless device customer 40 wants to pay by coin, voice (and/or display) instructions are given to the customer via line 215 to the wireless device front end unit 210 and to the wireless device 40 via 45 that are derived from a legacy communication unit 440 that is activated by an interface controller 405 via line 445 once the computer unit 220 signals that the wireless customer wants to pay by coin.

This option is always available to the wireless device owner and is given to him each time he tries to makes a connection. Once the customer notifies they want to pay by coin the legacy pay phone equipment 200 is told what money to expect by the interface controller 405 via line 435 to a legacy coin payment interface unit 430. The legacy coin payment interface unit 430 sends a signal to the legacy pay phone equipment 200 via line 205 and the legacy pay phone equipment 200 then notifies the legacy coin payment interface unit 430 via line 205 that a valid payment has been made. Then the service authorization code is sent to the interface controller 405 via line 435 which in turn notifies the computer unit 220 via line 208 that a connection is authorized by coin payment.

In anticipation that credit card and other sensitive monetary e-commerce transactions will require Biometric identification in the future the biometric unit 240 is incorporated into the PPS housing and the elements are shown in greater detail in FIG. 5. The biometric unit 240 has a legacy fingerprint detector 506 and an Iris detection element 504 (such as incorporated in the model 2100 from Biometerics Inc. and a Quickcam video element) connected to a biometrics adapter unit 510 via lines 502 and 505 whose function is to convert the legacy detector signals into the electrical and format for the interface controller 405 via the print code converter unit 520. The converted detector signals are transmitted to a buffer unit 530 via line 525. The buffer unit 530 outputs the detector signals to the computer unit 220 via line 245. It might be noted that the print code converter unit 520 and the buffer unit 530 might well be incorporated into the computer unit 220 but are shown here as separate for the sake of clarity. Any instructions required to be given the customer regarding when and how to use the legacy finger print detector 506 or iris detection element 504 are stored in the computer unit 220 memory unit and delivered to the customer in a manner similar to that described in connection with the payment methods associated with FIG. 4. With the functions discussed for both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the customer will have to have physical contact or very close proximity (less than two feet) with the PPS unit to perform the coin payment and fingerprint or video identification functions respectively.

However, the finger print or video authorization functions may be performed using the customers wireless device 40 as discussed in connection with FIG. 6 along with other services requested by a customer. In future wireless devices such as those described in Co-pending applications 09/325,500 and the Master PASS system a fingerprint and or video unit is housed on or with the wireless device 40 such as the FPU element 625 shown in FIG. 6. The rest of the elements shown in FIG. 6 represent those currently available in most mobile computers with wireless capability such as the Palm Pilot VII wireless note book computer or Nokia 9000 series digital phones. Elements 650 and 660 represent the audio and video (display) functions currently available and element 680 represents the menu select able control functions along with special function elements 630 and 640. The menu select able control functions for example might be a macro for requesting e-mail once the customer is connected to their e-mail service provider. Another control function for example maybe controlled by one of the special function elements 630 and control a customer bank balance request after the customer is connected to their bank. The keyboard elements 610 are shown and are available on every wireless device contemplated to be used with the PPS along with element 650 or 660 or both 650 and 660. That is, every wireless device 40 that can operate with the PPS must have at least a keyboard capability and one form of audio or visual customer communication capability.

The special features and functions of the Pico Pay System are summarized in the table of FIG. 18 that lists both the common and the special unique features of the system from those associated with the other Proximity systems

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROXIMITY AUTHORIZATION TRANSACTION SYSTEM INVENTION

In addition to the PPS 6 just described, a PATAS system 700 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown. In general, other proximity systems that can be improved and made operative using an Advanced Wireless Authorization Unit (AWAU) 719 portion of the PPS invention with the appropriate interface modifications are shown in FIGS. 7 to 17 along with a general proximity system case identified as 720 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The terms "proximity system" and "proximity service unit" can be used interchangeably herein.

The specific proximity systems identified in FIG. 7 and in FIGS. 9 through 17 are referred to as, 722 for the toll/subway systems, as 724 for the ATM systems, as 726 for the gas station systems, as 728 for the store checkout systems, as 730 for the vehicle systems, as a 732 for the parking systems (including parking meters), as 734 for the mobile transportation credit systems such as used in taxis and buses, as 736 for the house and building systems, as 738 for the vending machine systems that also can be made to work with wireless devices operating on different frequencies.

In FIG. 7 the basic operation of the proximity systems improved by the AWAU 719 can be described by starting with multiple wireless devices 710 shown in FIG. 7 where five different type wireless devices 710 such as a digital cell phone, pager, computer, PDA or a specialty device are shown. For the sake of clarity let each of the wireless devices 710 not designed for the proximity system operate on a different frequency or have a different protocol and or both. These wireless devices 710 that will activate existing Proximity systems will be denoted by 710a, 710b, 710c and 710n for purposes of clarity. A proximity device 710L is also shown in FIG. 7. The proximity device 710L is already designed to operate with proximity systems 720, 722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736 and 738 (it may or may not be wireless). For example, the proximity device 710L is a wireless device for a legacy garage door system and for most Toll Tag systems for yet another example. However there are many proximity systems 720 that do not have wireless devices that operate them but only use cards, keys, biometrics, or coins in some combination as was the case of the PPS proximity systems described in connection with FIGS. 1-6 before a system similar to the AWAU 719 was incorporated.

However for the sake of clarity, all legacy (where legacy is defined to mean "not designed to operate with at least one of the wireless devices 710a, 710b, 710c, or 710n") proximity systems will have a legacy authorization transaction unit 830 along with an original device 710L of some nature that operates the original system. The 710L device is generally described along with the additional 710 wireless device elements 710a, 710b, 710c and 710n that are allowed to operate the modified proximity system after the AWAU 719 elements that are operated by 710a, 710b, 710c, 710n via 717 are connected to the general proximity system 720 via 716, and described in more detail with the aid of FIG. 8.

The purpose of the current invention is to extend the customer base for these existing proximity systems 720 that only operate with the 710L device to the customers operating the wireless devices 710a through n. The character n is chosen to make it clear that the general proximity system 720 having the AWAU 719 may be designed to accommodate up to n different device signal types where n will depend on how many different signal frequencies devices are made to operate in the future by the various wireless device manufacturers such as, Motorola, Nokia, NEC, Ercisson, Overhead Door, 3Com, Automobile manufacturers, security companies and others. The number n, also heavily depends on the number of wireless device frequencies approved by the FCC for use in the proximity service business.

For the sake of clarity it will be assumed during the remainder of the description that the wireless device 710a operates in the infrared frequency region approved by the FCC for wireless device operation, the wireless device 710b will operate in the 900 Mhz region approved by the FCC for wireless device operation, the wireless device 710c will operate in the 1.8 Ghz region approved by the FCC for wireless device operation and the wireless device 710n will represent those that are made to operate in any of the other regions approved by the FCC for wireless device operation. Also the operation of the legacy 710L device(s) in connection with the general proximity system 720 (that represents the proximity system before the AWAU is appended) for each of the specific proximity systems 722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 736 and 738 is omitted from the discussion of FIGS. 9 through 17 since in all cases these are existing legacy systems and the proximity device 710L and general proximity systems 720 operations are well known to those skilled in the art.

When needed specialty considerations and/or the benefits afforded by the invention are discussed in each particular proximity system described with the aid of FIGS. 9-17. However the legacy proximity device 710L and the general proximity system 720 is discussed with the aid of FIGS. 7 and 8 in the general case where any of the wireless devices 710 can operate any type of general proximity system when 720 when the AWAU 719 and the general proximity systems 720 are combined as described.

In the general proximity system 720 and the specific proximity systems (722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736 and 738) the signaling between the wireless devices 710 and the AWAU proximity system transaction units is denoted by 717 as shown of FIG. 7 in order to simplify the drawings with out sacrificing the clarity of the description.

The AWAU 719 is provided with a multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 capable of receiving at least two signal types, i.e. different frequency signal types or protocols. The multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 receives a request authorization code from each of a plurality of the wireless devices 710a-n such that the plurality of wireless devices 710a-n are capable of communicating simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 without air time. Each wireless device 710a -n is capable of communicating the request authorization code when the wireless device is within a predetermined proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 and each request authorization code uniquely identifying the wireless device 710a-n from which the request authorization code is received.

For the general case any one of the wireless devices 710, say for example the wireless device 710a which operates using Infrared frequency signals communicates to the AWAU 719 via line 717 that is connected to the general proximity system 720 via a line 716 housed therein and described in further detail in connection with FIG. 8.

The legacy proximity device 710L is shown connected to the general proximity system 720 via a line 712 and a description of the operation for this general case is described in FIG. 8 where 712 is connected to a legacy activation unit 820L which might be something as simple as a coin payment box if the proximity device 710L for example is a coin. If the proximity device 710L is a credit card, then the legacy activation unit 820L would be a credit card reader for example. In the case where the legacy activation unit 820L, such as the credit card reader, needed to be connected to a remote data base 750 for authorization, a request for authorization along with the credit card information would be sent by the legacy activation unit 820L to a legacy authorization transaction unit 830 via a line 825 where upon the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 would make the request to the remote database 750 via lines 729L and 760 to the remote database 750.

In some cases, the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 authorization unit might be required to communicate via the line 729L with the remote database 750 via line 760 where lines 729L and 760 might be connected together through any number of private and public communication networks 745, including the Internet prior to making a final connection to the remote database 750, for example. Once the requested proximity service or action authorization, i.e. a service authorization code, is received by the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 the legacy activation unit 820L is notified and the service is delivered to the customer. The above description of the legacy proximity device 710L made to operate the general proximity system 720 will not be repeated for all the special cases and the legacy activation unit 820L in the general proximity system 720 is omitted from FIGS. 9 through 17 since the essence of the invention is to allow activation using the legacy activation unit 820L but allow the request for service, i.e. the request authorization code, to be also made by customers through the Advanced Wireless Authorization Unit or AWAU 719 for activating the general proximity system 720. However, the equivalent of the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 is shown in each of the FIGS. 9-17 since the authorization might require remote communication the cases depending on the owner of the general proximity system 720.

The general AWAU 719 that will work with the general proximity systems 720 other than pay phones or communication Kiosks as described earlier in connection with FIGS. 1-6 is described in further detail with the aid of FIG. 8 but the in depth workings of the general proximity system 720 are not repeated here for the sake of brevity with out sacrificing clarity of operation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, shown therein in more detail is the AWAU 719. The multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 of the AWAU is provided with a plurality of wireless transceivers 810an1, 810bn2, 810cn3 , and 810nn4. In FIG. 8, the possible wireless signals going to the general proximity system 720 from any of the wireless devices 710a, 710b, 710c and 710n are shown going to the AWAU 719 via the line 717 and are connected to operate distinct sets of the wireless transceivers 810an, 810bn2, 810cn3 , and 810nn4 where for example the wireless transceivers 810 for infrared devices are represented by 810an1. N1 represents the different number of infrared transceivers in 810an1 that are available to accommodate more than one infrared wireless device 710.

The number n1 may be determined because the designer allows different transceivers 810an1 to have the ability to detect the same type infrared signal frequency and protocols but allows for more than one user to be connected at the same time or they may be because the transceivers 810an1 are able to detect several different type signal frequencies and/or protocols of infrared devices but not does not allow users to be connected at the same time. The detection of a signal from the devices 710b is done by 810bn2, devices 710c is done by 810cn3 and devices 710n is detected by 810nn4 respectively. The numbers n1, n2, n3, and n4 associated with a, b, c, and n can be different for each case depending upon which type wireless transceiver is shown. That is, the number n1 of transceivers 810an1 does not have to be the same as n2 for 810bn2. Also, the AWAU 719 might only have two types of wireless transceivers say 810an1 type and 810bn2, type. The number of type signals a, b, c, or n and the number of transceiver channels n1, n2. etc. for each signal type will depend on the proximity system designer and will increase the more customers the proximity system owner wants to accommodate.

For example a parking garage, parking meter system, or retail store credit system will tend to want as many type wireless transceivers 810 and as many channels as possible since the one time cost is amortized very quickly as the number of users increase.

Once one of the wireless transceivers 810an1 not in operation detects a signal from the wireless devices 710a when a user gets within a predetermined distance and causes their wireless device 710a signal, i.e. request authorization code, to exceed a predetermined transceiver threshold, say normally less that 200 feet for example, a legacy interface unit 820a is notified via line 815an1.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a detector system for detecting the distance from the wireless transceiver 810an1 to the wireless device 710a is provided in the wireless transceiver 810an1, 810bn2, 810cn3 and 810nn1 of the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740. For example, when the AWAU 710 is utilized with the toll/subway systems 722, the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 is programmed to detect a first signal strength from the wireless device 710a and a second signal strength from the wireless device 710a. A signal is transmitted to the legacy interface unit 820a and/or the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 so as to validate the plurality of request authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 detecting the first signal strength. A signal is transmitted to the legacy interface unit 820a and/or the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 detecting the second signal strength so as to cause the legacy interface unit 820a and/or the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 to output the service authorization codes in response to the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 detecting the second signal strength. The toll/subway system 722 then provides the predetermined toll service, such as activating the gate or red/green light, for example, to pass the wireless device owner through the toll/subway system 722.

In one preferred embodiment, the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 detects the first signal strength in response to the wireless devices 710a being within a first proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver. The multiple channel wireless transceiver 740 detects the second signal strength in response to the wireless devices 710a being within a second proximity distance from the multiple channel wireless transceiver 740. The first proximity distance is greater than the second proximity distance. For example, the first proximity distance can be 500 feet and the second proximity distance can be set close in say 20 feet. Thus, authorization can preferably be obtained before the wireless device owner is close to the gate or red/green light to speed up the passage of people through the toll/subway system 722, for example.

The legacy interface unit 820a is connected to the specific transceiver 810an1 that made the detection of the signal from the specific wireless device 710a. The legacy authorization transaction unit 830 in the proximity system 720 is notified via line 716 and the legacy authorization process described in connection with 710L is completed so as to receive a service authorization code upon validation of the request authorization code. While this process is being completed the signal connection is maintained between the wireless device 710a and the wireless transceiver 810an1 units by the legacy interface unit 820a during the remainder of the transaction process by assigning a temporary number that correlates the specific wireless transceiver 810an1 with the wireless device 710a using identifying parameters received from the specific wireless device 710a detected. It should be understood that the legacy authorization transaction unit 803 can be referred to herein as a "proximity unit validation assembly".

Also two way communication capability is always assumed to be unavailable or in effect unless otherwise specified. In some cases, the wireless device 710a is automatically activated when reaching a predetermined proximity distance from the AWAU 719 and in others cases, the wireless device 710a is all ways activated by the customer when a service is desired. Cases where automatic activation takes place are in moving vehicles such as toll gates and parking lots for example. Most other cases the services is manually requested by activation of the wireless device 710 to provide the request authorization code. Identifying parameters are used to develop a queue for delivering the requested service in the correct order and to the correct wireless device 710a. The identifying parameters as a minimum includes a unique device ID, such as the manufacturers identification number (MIN) or service provider identification number (SID) normally transmitted with cell phones or pagers and the time the wireless device 710a is detected. However other proximity information and user ID such as fingerprint or credit card # or a PIN number might be required or requested as part of the authorization process.

The legacy interface units 820a, 820b, 820c and 820n of the AWAU 719 handle all of these administrative items along with staying in connection with 820L, via line 716, responsible for delivering the service requested and collecting the payment information. If remote communication is required the legacy activation unit 820L will connect the legacy interface unit 820a communication channel line 716a to the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 connected to the remote database 750 via line 729a and 760. Again, as in the case of the 710L device description 729a might be connected to 760 via many communication networks 745 including the Internet.

It should be noted that multiple channel capability might be required to handle each wireless device 710 similar to that described in connection with the Pico Pay system 6 but double subscripts are omitted on the out put side in FIGS. 9-17 since in most cases multiple simultaneous authorization is not required like it was with the Pico Pay system 6. Also in many cases such as the house and building system 736, one line would be used at a time even if remote communication was needed. In those cases the legacy interface units 820a, 820b, 820c, 820n of the AWAU 719 along with the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 and lines 729a, 729b, 729c and 729n would all be reduced to a single authorization unit interfacing with the multiple transceiver devices 810an1, 810bn2, 810cn3 and 810nn4 where every transceiver device was unique and only represented one type of wireless signal device 710.

Once authorization is approved by the legacy authorization transaction unit 830 the service authorization code is output to the legacy activation unit 820L via the line 825 and the requested service, i.e. checkout services, toll services, garage door opening services and the like, is provided to the device user by the legacy activation unit 820L and the specific 810an1 that was connected to the specific wireless device 710a is released by the legacy interface unit 820a. The legacy interface unit 820a, for example, then waits to detect the next wireless device 710 coming within the predetermined proximity distance.

The term "legacy activation unit", as used herein, broadly refers to a device for providing predetermined services, such as pay telephone services, checkout services, toll services, garage door opening services and the like.

Also the temporary number can be erased from memory unless the proximity service provided requires that unique numbers be generated each time a specific wireless device 710 is connected to a specific wireless transceiver 810a. This would probably be a rare requirement since normally the user ID along with the time tag information is all that is required by a service provider billing system.

The above description for the general case, omitted a discussion of the Biometric systems and authorizations that might be required or the possible advanced digital wireless service communication capability for the 710a, 710b, 710c or 710n wireless devices as done in connection with the Pico Pay System 6. These features were discussed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 and are preferably utilized by the wireless device 710a, 710b, 710c or 710n. Thus, the same discussion would apply in connection with fully describing and repeating those features in connection with FIG. 8 (the general case) and FIGS. 9-17 associated with each of the specific proximity systems. For the sake of brevity, these description are expressly incorporated herein by reference and will not repeated since no new features are contemplated in connection with the claims associated with FIGS. 8-17.

The specific cases for the more notable proximity systems are described with the aid of FIGS. 9-17 where the AWAU 719 is described to operate with each specific type of proximity system so that after incorporating this invention, they will also operate with wireless devices 710 operating on frequencies not originally designed for their service. In the specific cases shown in FIGS. 9-17, the legacy activation unit 820L ranges from units that only accept physical keys, cards or coins such as ATM's, House and building locks, parking meters and gates, vending machines and retail store check out counters, to those that have specialized wireless activation devices such as toll tags, entry gates and garages. Some of the specific cases shown have both a card, key, or coin activation means and a wireless means such as vehicles, security access systems, and gas station systems.

However, prior to this invention, it is believed the systems 722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736 and 738 in FIGS. 9 through 17 have not been able to operate with digital wireless devices 710 that operate on different frequencies and have a communication capability other than to effect the proximity system activation function described herein. In summary the systems have not been capable of operating to operate with either modified (see application #9/325,500 the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference) or unmodified devices such as cell phones, pagers, notebook computers, or an all in one wireless activation and communication devices such as Master PASS.

The general features and functions of the general case PATAS system 700 are shown in the table of FIG. 19 that lists both the common and the special unique features of the PATAS system 700 for use with the general proximity system 720 from those associated with the Pico Pay system 6 described in connection with FIGS. 1-6.

In FIG. 9 the toll/subway system 722 is shown where the AWAU 719 is incorporated into the toll/subway system 722.

For purposes of brevity, the legacy interface units 920a, 920b, 920c, and 920n are similar in construction and function to the legacy activation elements 820a, 820b, 820c and 820n, except that the authorization portion of the legacy activation unit 820L has been incorporated into respective legacy interface units 920a, 920b, 920c, and 920n and the activation portion of the legacy activation unit 820L is omitted for the reasons discussed earlier (i.e. no changes in the service activation elements of the toll/subway system 722 are contemplated in this invention). The activation by devices 710a through 710n via 717 to elements 910an1 through 910nn4 along with their connections to the legacy interface units 920a, 920b, 920c, and 920n and respectively via lines 915an1, through 915nn4 respectively is identical in operation as 810an1 through 810nn4 and 815an1 through 815nn4 in FIG. 8 discussed previously.

Most toll systems now have lanes that only pass vehicles with a mountable electronic tags (e.g. TIRIS made by Texas Instruments series 5000 reader systems) plus all systems have lanes that only use coins and some have lanes that allow vehicles to pass using either type activation device. Unfortunately both of these activation devices (tags and coins) are usually different in every state and city and controlled by a local transportation authority. Cross country trucks for example might have to have ten devices if they wanted to use toll tags and travelers using rent cars are simply out of luck.

It is estimated that all the toll tags lumped together in the USA market number less than 10 million units for over a 100 million cars (approximately 10%). In any one market the number is less that 1% of the vehicles have tags because they are not portable to other cities, states, or countries. However, 40% of the vehicles that use toll systems now have a cell phone or pager and the number is expected to reach 75% within three years. Consequently a system such as described herein would move the customer base in each area from less than 1% to 75% of the vehicles in three years with very little investment. The proximity and correct gate activation functions would have to be properly implemented. Although these can be handled in a number of ways by those skilled in the art a preferred method which improves the existing methods is as follows. A two activation signal strength system is incorporated into units 910an1 through 910nn4 and 920a through 920n wherein the first signal strength level activates the authorization computer and the second activation level activates the gate or red/green light. The current toll tag systems mostly have very expensive systems because mostly operate with special purpose transponders for the purpose of both authorization and activation and the detection distance is short less than 50 feet in most cases. This means that gates speeds have to be kept low which requires more gates to be added to increase the vehicle count per unit of time. With the toll/subway system 722, authorization distance can be set out to 500 feet and red/green light distance set close in say 20 feet. Consequently gate speeds can be doubled in order to handle the increase in customers caused by allowing cell phone and pager customers to use the toll systems. Clearly, the old systems would eventually be phased out when it so easy to give a customer an account by just knowing their pager or cell phone number. Note that this same modification would be used in parking lots, airport gates, subway and bus systems with slight parameter modifications to tailor the activation distances and the authorization distances to match the speed and signal type of the 710a through 710n device to the proximity system reliability requirements.

The special features and functions of the vehicle Toll 722 PATAS system are shown in the table of FIG. 20a that lists both the common and the special unique features of the 722 PATAS from those associated with the other Proximity systems

The activation devices for the subway/toll system shown in FIG. 9 have similar devices but they are mostly cards and coins that people carry and they also suffer from the lack of portability between communities. However, portability is not the main problem with subways or buses as much as convenience. People keep having to get more coins or get their subway debit cards refilled and again visitors are always greatly inconvenienced when in a new city especially in other countries. A cell phone or pager unique number capability and the built in billing system associated with them would allow local authorities to greatly reduce their service costs by incorporating the system described herein. Also, the one billion customer base (counting cell phones and pagers) world wide is not insignificant. Thus, in the case of toll systems, the customer base would increase dramatically with the adoption of this system.

In the case of public transportation systems the operating cost would decrease dramatically and allow people to use the public transportation systems world wide with out having to learn a new system in each city. Also there would be a noticeable increase in riders just due to the convenience for visitors and travelers. In those cases where the transportation carrier had access to the public communication system a PPS unit could be offered riders so they could be using their cell phones while riding the subway or train and only paying the $0.35 cents and no air time costs. Special activation considerations would be added to the activation portion of the 910an1 and 920a units for example in addition to the Customer ID authorization features already discussed in connection with the general case of FIG. 8. The special features and functions of the toll/subway system 722 are shown in the table of FIG. 20b that lists both the common and the special unique features of the toll/subway system 722 from those associated with the other Proximity systems

In FIG. 10, the ATM system 724 is shown in more detail. The ATM system 724 includes the AWAU 719 elements and the legacy activation transaction unit 830 elements both incorporated into the ATM system 724. In other words, the ATM system 724 includes a plurality of wireless transceivers 1010an1, 1010bn2, 1010cn3 and 1010nn4, a plurality of legacy interface units 1020a, 1020b, 1020c, and 1020n, and a legacy authorization transaction unit 1030.

The wireless transceivers 1010an1, 1010bn2, 1010cn3 and 1010nn4 are similar in construction and function to the wireless transceivers 810an1, 810bn2, 810cn3 and 810nn4, which were described hereinbefore with reference to FIG. 8 except as discussed hereinafter. For purposes of brevity, the legacy interface units 1020a, 1020b, 1020c, and 1020n are similar in construction and function to the legacy activation units 820a, 820b, 820c and 820n, except that the authorization portion of unit 820L has been incorporated into the legacy interface units 1020a, 1020b, 1020c, and 1020n and the activation portion of 820L is omitted for the reasons discussed earlier (i.e. no changes in the service activation elements are contemplated in this invention). The legacy activation transaction unit 1030 is similar in construction and function as the legacy activation transaction unit 830, except as discussed hereinafter.

The activation by devices 710a through 710n via 717 to the wireless transceivers 1010an1 through 1010nn4 along with their connections to the legacy interface units 1020a, 1020b, 1020c, and 1020n respectively via lines 1015an1, through 1015nn4 respectively is identical in operation as 810an1 through 810nn4 and 815an1 through 815nn4 in FIG. 8 discussed previously.

Most prior art ATM systems only allow operation using credit or debit or smart cards plus all systems require PIN numbers to be inserted. Both of these activation devices (cards and PIN numbers) are usually different but normally the instruction are easy to follow. However because money is involved more Biometric information is the growing trend. Especially at ATM's that have had cameras installed for years to record the person requesting and making the transaction. Also, it has always been a problem for example a person waiting in line might see the PIN number entered and steal the persons card. A cell phone or pager unique number capability and the built in billing system associated with them would allow ATM companies to immediately expand their customer base by allowing users to enter all of their credit card information from their cell phone or pager unit in a more convenient and safe manner. The number of reduced manual re-entries alone because of normal data entry mistakes would unload the on line network system by 20% it has been estimated. Also expanded service fee's could be generated if the Pico Pay feature was added to each ATM unit.

For example if each ATM collected and additional $0.35 and hour (this would be 100 customers using the machines $0.35 cent phone service at once and talking one hour or 10 customers using the ATM at once but talking only 6 minutes) a machine would generate an additional $25,000 a month. Also other services such as e-mail, stock quotes, etc could be provided to customers for very nominal fees over their cell phones devices because no customer air time charges are involved, while the legacy customers used their credit cards with the old physical manual method.

Again, special authorization and activation considerations would be added to the activation portion of the 1010an1 and 1020a units for example in addition to the Customer ID authorization features already discussed. The proximity and service activation functions have to be properly implemented. Although these can be handled in a number of ways by those skilled in the art a preferred method which improves the existing methods is as follows. A two activation signal strength system is incorporated into units 1010an1 through 1010nn4 and 1020a through 1020n wherein a first signal strength and/or protocol activates the authorization computer for ATM services other than those that require the menu screen of the ATM to be used. These might be for the Pico Pay or e-mail and other communication services that do not require close physical proximity to the ATM system 724. The second activation level activates the ATM menu screen when the customer is very close say less than one foot and allows the existing legacy ATM services to be provided but the credit card and PIN numbers can be pulled from the cell phone, wireless computer device, or pager or put in on command from the wireless device depending on the selected mode of the menu.

The special features and functions of the ATM system 724 are shown in the table of FIG. 21 that lists both the common and the special unique features of the ATM system 724 from those associated with the other Proximity systems

In FIG. 11, the parking system 732 is shown in more detail. The parking system 732 can be provided on or adjacent to a parking lot (both public and private such as an apartment complex) or a municipal parking meter. The parking system 732 includes the AWAU 719 elements and the legacy activation transaction unit 830 elements both incorporated into the 736 elements. In other words, the parking system 732 includes a plurality of wireless transceivers 1110an1, 1110bn2, 1110cn3 and 1110nn4, a plurality of legacy interface units 1120a, 1120b, 1120c, and 1120n, and a legacy authorization transaction unit 1130.

The wireless transceivers 1110an1, 1110bn2, 1110cn3 and 1110nn4 are similar in construction and function to the wireless transceivers 810an1, 810bn2, 810cn3 and 810nn4, which were described hereinbefore with reference to FIG. 8 except as discussed hereinafter. For purposes of brevity, the legacy interface units 1120a, 1120b, 1120c, and 1120n are similar in construction and function to the legacy activation units 820a, 820b, 820c and 820n, except that the authorization portion of unit 820L has been incorporated into the legacy interface units 1120a, 1120b, 1120c, and 1120n and the activation portion of 820L is omitted for the reasons discussed earlier (i.e. no changes in the service activation elements are contemplated in this invention). The legacy activation transaction unit 1130 is similar in construction and function as the legacy activation transaction unit 830, except as discussed hereinafter.

The activation by devices 710a through 710n via 717 to elements 1110an1 through 1110nn4 along with their connections to 1120a, 1120b, 1120c, and 1120n respectively via lines 1115an1, through 1115nn4 respectively is identical in operation as 810an1 through 810nn4 and 815an1 through 815nn4 in FIG. 8 discussed previously.

Most parking systems that are accessed controlled only pass vehicles in with a card, or ticket issued when magnetic loop senses the vehicle, electronic thumb unit such as used for cars plus. Unfortunately all of these activation devices (cards, tickets, and beepers) are usually different in every location, city, state and country. Also the collection on exit still requires and attendant operating a money system for both cash and credit cards for parking lots and garages that are in business to make money. Those systems designed for the convenience of the employee or resident can use an automated loop activated gate opener for exiting. However this does not tell the management who is leaving so that although one could determine when a person entered they would not know when they left. In other words, the current controlled employee parking systems are not functional as time card systems unless the employee has to use their entry access device to control the exit gate. By way of example involving the parking systems that now require and attendant for 7 by 24 hour operation the monthly costs would be in the range of $200,000 per parking lot/garage that only had one 7 by 24 hour gate. If more gates were in operation, say during the day 3 gates were in operation then the collection costs for personnel would be nearer to $500,000 per month per garage.

Consequently, the incorporation of the house and building system 736 would bring large savings if some of the parking lots where converted to cell phone or pager operation only. In addition the collection would be done as a service by the cell phone or pager provider similar to 900 service are collected by the phone companies for the private companies. The incorporation of the house and building system 736 into apartment or employee systems would provide a much more secure and low cost method for providing the service to the administrators. The cost would be greatly lowered because the special relative unreliable devices such as cards or gate beepers could be eliminated in favor of entering the persons cell phone number (or deleting the cell phone number when the employee or resident left) or providing the resident a pager if they do not have a cell phone. The employee's or residents would welcome the gas station system 726 in order to eliminate having to carry a special device to use maybe four time a day.

The special features and functions of the parking system 732 for parking access are shown in the table of FIG. 22a that lists both the common and the special unique features of the parking system 732 for parking access from those associated with the other Proximity systems In FIG. 11 the parking system 732 for parking meters is shown and is discussed here separately since they only use coins at present although some people have advocated debit cards. The incorporation of the AWAU 719 unit would be much less expensive than a coin collecting or card system and the collection of revenues would be much less costly and safe than the current meter systems. The cost of daily collections including the counting and banking of coins is quite large and would be greatly reduced with the present invention. The battery required for operation would last several years between changes and the roving data base collector (described in more detail later) would be notified each time a meter was out of order. Also, the parking system 732 as described would quickly spread to world acceptance and be a great convenience to travelers not familiar with the local coin systems. The wide acceptance would greatly reduce the cost of the meters so that portable and temporary wireless activated meters would become very practical for both cities and wireless device service providers. Since there are no parking meter systems using a wireless activation device at present, the following method of operation is described as follows in order to cover the special claims associated with the parking system 732.

When the parking system 732 is incorporated into a parking meter, a two way manual activation signal system is incorporated into wireless transceiver units 110an1 through 1110nn4 and the legacy activation units 1120a through 1120n instead of automatic two way activation as before (the first ones would probably only work with Infrared and possibly one other cell/pager frequency) wherein the unit 710a would request the parking meter to be activated. The wireless transceiver 110an1 and the legacy interface unit 1120a would detect this request and ask for the customer ID and Service Providers Identification Number (SPIN) and possibly other information via line 1115an1 and 717 back to the wireless device 710a to be used to authorize and eventually charge the customers account (in the future the meter might ask for the customers Biometrics code for further identification purposes). The legacy interface unit 1120a would already have a predetermined set of SPIN codes for which the meter service was authorized.

The meter collection could be done from a roving vehicle using a special authorization code that authorized the collection of the meter user data base from each meter it interrogated. An alternative method of collection is afforded with this system which would be polling interrogation but this would require up link high power capability (albeit for a very short period). This alternative method is recommended for small towns but the mobile interrogator is preferred in the larger cities where meter maintenance duties are combined with collection duties. This data base in turn could be combined with all other meter data bases for the day and the various SPIN would be separated and the meter usage data for each customer would be sent to authorized device 710a Service Providers for collection.

Note that the collector would also be notified when at the meter if a meter had a low battery or was out of order and/or the daily collected data base could automatically send maintenance data to the maintenance department for scheduled meter maintenance. The battery life would typically be on the order of three to five years because of the low power requirements caused by only having to transmit a short distance upon activation several times a day for very short periods. The city would be paid the same day collection data was received by the service provider, and the monthly meter usage for each unit 710a would show up on the 710a customers bill received from a cell phone, pager or other Service provider that administered the system.

Note, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) could administer the service world wide for a number of customers and cities using e-commerce systems that most cities are connected to now). Another interesting feature of the design described above is that users would not have to worry about traffic tickets because they forgot to go put more money in the parking meter. The preferred embodiment design would allow the charges to accumulate until the owner returned to the car and turned the meter off. This would be an option offered by the meter before the meter was activated. In other words the customer with device 710a would have the choice to put in a fixed time amount say down to 5 minutes or leave the meter running until they return. Also the convenience of always having money for the meter to the customer would make all people sign up for such a service.

The special features and functions of the parking system 732 for use with parking meters are shown in the table of FIG. 22b that lists both the common and the special unique features of the parking system 732 for use with parking meters from those associated with the other Proximity systems.

In FIG. 12, the house and building system 736 for operating garage doors, building doors, hotel doors or house doors and the like is shown in more detail. The house and building system 736 includes the AWAU 719 elements and the legacy activation transaction unit 830 elements both incorporated into the house and building system 736. In other words, the house and building system 736 includes a plurality of wireless transceivers 1210an1, 1210bn2, 1210cn3 and 1210nn4, a plurality of legacy interface units 1220a, 1220b, 1220c, and 1220n, and a legacy authorization transaction unit 1230.

The wireless transceivers 1210an1, 1210bn2, 1210cn3 and 1210nn4 are similar in construction and function to the wireless transceivers 810an, 810bn2, 810cn3 and 810nn4, which were described hereinbefore with reference to FIG. 8 except as discussed hereinafter. For purposes of brevity, the legacy interface units 1220a, 1220b, 1220c, and 1220n are similar in construction and function to the legacy activation units 820a, 820b, 820c and 820n, except that the authorization portion of unit 820L has been incorporated into the legacy interface units 1220a, 1220b, 1220c, and 1220n and the activation portion of 820L is omitted for the reasons discussed earlier (i.e. no changes in the service activation elements are contemplated in this invention). The legacy activation transaction unit 1230 is similar in construction and function as the legacy activation transaction unit 830, except as discussed hereinafter.

The activation by devices 710a through 710n via 717 to the wireless transceivers 1210an1 through 1210nn4 along with their connections to the legacy interface units 1220a, 1220b, 1220c, and 1220n respectively via lines 1215an1, through 1215nn4 respectively is identical in operation as 810an1 through 810nn4 and 815an1 through 815nn4 in FIG. 8 discussed previously.

Garage door opener wireless activation systems have been around for years and incorporation of the AWAU 719 to obtain the house and building system 736 only requires that the wireless transceivers 1210an1 through 1210nn4 and the legacy interface units 1220a through 1220n elements for one way (or two way for the more expensive models) communication Transceivers be appended to the existing radio receiver unit so that the home owner does not have to carry a separate garage door opener. The added security features and ability to change door opener PIN codes for each authorized person affords the same security as a good building access code systems. The Biometrics features built in the to the AWPS wireless devices (application Ser. No. 09/325,500) can also be required by 1220a before the 820L activation unit is allowed to operate. A two way system for example might be connected to the home security system that mi