Abstract:
A method and a system for real time mobile electronic commerce transactions, utilizing smart wireless RF tags, a mobile communication device, and a central server. The method describes utilization of a ubiquitous mobile communication device such as cell phone, PDA, laptop computer and other stationary and mobile devices for enabling execution of electronic commerce transactions in conjunction with items, products and services that are identified by either embedded or attached smart wireless RF tags. The system describes the means for the individual mobile device user and or the store to conduct transactions seamlessly with a mobile device, a central server, a multi-channel multiplexing transmitter/receiver and smart wireless RF tags. The system provides information about prices and transactions involving products and services in real time over a wireless link and enables the user and the vendor to track transactions in real time for customer utility such as price comparison, real time execution of transactions utilizing the mobile device as a point of sale terminal; and further enables the vendor to manage inventory, supply chains, automated checkout, payment, loss prevention and security. The system further teaches a method for mobile commerce transaction in one or more languages utilizing smart wireless RF tagged items. Additionally, a method and system for enhancing the information contained within the smart wireless RF tags is described.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application entitled INTELLIGENT KEYBOARD SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/281,739, filed Jun. 4, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,789, which is a continuation-in-part application of a now abandoned application entitled A SYSTEM LEVEL SCHEME TO CONTROL INTELLIGENT APPLIANCES, Ser. No. 08/764,903 filed Dec. 16, 1996 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Purchasing transactions are an integral part of our way of life, such as in trade and travel, and affect everyone personally. However, in the prior art, purchasing transactions are often hit or miss actions with price as the primary and most often the only determinant factor. Small changes in a price, for example, will often create very large changes in the perceived value of a business transaction, and will strongly influence trade, tourism, and most other facets of life. However, especially with respect to impulse purchases, price comparisons must be fast, accurate and convenient to have maximum effect and often are not adequate in this respect. 
     Ideally, details of a comparison will be transparent to the user, with the user seamlessly having the ability to take advantage of a bargain or to make a price comparison under the exact conditions the user chooses. In the prior art purchasing transactions were susceptible to manipulation. The buyer often received misleading, incomplete or even no information regarding other factors that are as important as price. The fully informed and intelligent selection of a specific merchant, vendor, or service provider requires the customer to evaluate extensive collateral information and reach a timely decision. This collateral information may include choice of color, size, and feel in the environment of expected use, weight, warranty, quality, reliability, and availability. The reputation of the vendor, service, return privileges, manufacturer, make, year of manufacture, product or service attributes, expected features in next year models, sales tax, and shipping costs are also important factors in a purchasing decision. 
     The factors that the customer should consider and weigh are many, and are not always amenable to intelligent processing on the fly. In the prior art the comparison of prices was conducted by a query to an individual web site of the vendor or the vendors belonging to that particular group. The answer was parsed for presentation on a stationary device or a mobile device without prioritizing, categorizing and ranking. Without the aid of comprehensive algorithms and software to fully optimize the individual value proposition, the customer may make a bad decision, generating a return of the merchandise or cancellation of the service. 
     Expeditious, timely and value enhancing transactions are in the best interest of everyone; customers, vendors and governments. Trade and tourism are often adversely affected if users expect more or believe they received less than they are entitled to due to inadequate information and poor communication. 
     Presently comparisons are often made in an ad hoc manner, such as by chance or by advertising forced on the consumer. These methods are inconvenient, annoying, costly, and may provide incomplete information for making a decision, thus dissatisfying consumers and also vendors who must deal with the resulting cost of product returns or the loss of repeat customers. An example is in precious metals, where gold coins are sometimes advertised as weighing a certain number of avoirdupois ounces. Without knowing the ratio of a troy ounce (480 grains) to an avoirdupois ounce (437.5 grains), the consumer would have to guess at the value. 
     Knowledgeable advisors may charge relatively excessive rates, defeating the reason for getting the advice. It is in the best interest of both a government wishing to encourage trade and tourism and of a user desiring trade or tourism to have simple, reliable price comparisons and transactions. 
     Standard methods for making comparisons, rather than providing a benefit to the government and users seeking trade or tourism, create confusion and uncertainty. This is especially true, as stated before, of cases involving ambiguous values, for example, unfamiliar systems of units of weights and measures, currencies, quality standards, cultural standards and so forth. 
     In addition, to foster competition in a free economy it is necessary that vendors not cooperate to set prices. Thus there is a prohibition in having one organization as a standard setter or clearinghouse of prices, if the effect is to restrict competition. Even in a competitive market, the consumer faces a daunting task if he/she has to conduct independent research to secure the best price and value on any given product or service. The consumer generally desires access to an unbiased way of freely and expeditiously conducting a price search based on chosen criteria and optimizing the acquisition cost to obtain a value that meets individual parameters. However, the search must be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     In the prior art items are often tagged with a label that has a bar code attached. This requires the act of scanning by the customer or sales clerk. Some items, like garments, have tags sewn or clipped on that may alert by audible sound if the tag is not removed or if the item is being removed without authorization. These methods are often not satisfactory, since they act only to prevent theft with no direct benefit to the customer. 
     In the prior art, mobile communication devices such as a cellular telephone/mobile device (CT/MD) do not have spread sheet capabilities, since mobile devices such as a CT/MD have data entry and viewing limitations. There is a longstanding need for providing spreadsheets with a CT/MD. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a price comparison and transaction system for supplying convenient, accurate and reliable information to a user, such as by using a mobile unit, and for simplifying the comparisons of values. This is especially true of ambiguous values, such as the English system short ton, which is 2000 pounds, and the English system long ton, which is 2240 pounds. The English ton can also represent several different units of volume in shipping, so a reference to a ton should cause the comparison system to develop a context to determine the system to use, provide detailed information about these variants, or provide prompting such as &lt;what system do you want?&gt;. Examples of ambiguous values are often found in shipping, where a shipping ton may be 35 cubic feet of material, 40 cubic feet of material, or 100 cubic feet of space, but is seldom 2000 or 2240 pounds. One would want to know that such differences exist, and to know which system for defining a ton is intended. It is an object of the present invention to determine these differences by context, wherever practical, or to provide suggestions if the context is unclear. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile device, such as an Intelligent Keyboard, IK, a hand held computer, lap top computer, cellular phone, or other wireless device, acts as a price comparison/transaction station. These functions may also be implemented on a stationary device (SD), such as a personal computer (PC), even though the primary purpose of the present invention is to allow a high degree of mobility in connection with the desired action and is optimized for mobile devices. The comparison/transaction station provides for the acquisition of comparative pricing information and allows comparisons to be completed using a source of information, such as from web sites, that can be relied on by the consumer, the seller of the desired product or service, and other vendors. Information concerning a desired action may be entered in any language, with the request being forwarded to a central server via a wireless link for processing. At the central server, a matching routine, such as referrals to a lookup table, allows the desired action to be parsed into a more suitable form for processing. One example of a more suitable form is in language conversion, for example, from English to German or vice versa. The information might be in English, but desired in German. This could be translated, for a German speaker, to an equivalent German request, and might be answered in German text or delivered by a synthesized German voice. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the transaction to be used including price comparisons, along with the type of output desired, is first identified or determined for action by the system. The central processor determines the latest information relating to the desired action, such as by interrogating a web site, and calculates, for example, values for a service/product. Other information the user may wish is supplied, such as a price history, or likelihood of a better price from another source. Flags may be set for regularly interrogating a site and notifying the user of an event triggering a need which has been expressed by the user, such as about a sale on desired items meeting criteria the user has set. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a mobile unit used with a price comparison or transaction system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a table for entering the currencies desired to be used in a exchange rate comparison system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a price comparison system illustrating how information is obtained from remote sources, such as travel agencies. 
         FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a price comparison request table of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of a price comparison table of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an embodiment illustrating how the prices of commodities for a specific currency might be parameterized. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a mobile electronic commerce system of the present invention showing how the system would be employed with the shops in a shopping mall. 
         FIG. 8  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system of the present invention illustrating how an intelligent keyboard or CT/MD may be configured with a specialized input device such as an optical bar code reader. 
         FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system of the present invention illustrating how consultation with another individual is facilitated either in a physical store or a virtual store. 
         FIG. 10  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system of the present invention illustrating the use of user configurable lists. 
         FIG. 11  is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating an external monitor or other display for facilitating the input and output of information. 
         FIG. 12  is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a search engine function. 
         FIG. 13  is an embodiment of the present invention for mobile electronic commerce. 
         FIG. 14  is an embodiment of the apparatus for mobile electronic commerce of the present invention, which enables a store to be fitted with a wired or wireless zone controller. 
         FIG. 15  is an embodiment of the present invention implemented in a department store, which has various display tables and shelves fitted with zone controllers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The embodiments that follow relate to a wireless unit for making transactions. Transactions as used herein include comparisons. The embodiments include stationary units as well, such as personal computers (PCs). Further, the price comparison inquiry or request can be in any form of intelligence, such as key entries from a keyboard, voice in any language, graphics such as a key click on a graphic page, mouse clicks on a view, or even depressions of a foot pedal. 
     In the present invention, the price comparison of a product, such as a book, uses special software and algorithms resident on a local server or Internet Server. The servers in turn scour the available web sites for the data and present it in rank order, such as least price first. There is no bias given to any site. The CT/MD user can determine the search algorithm used. The same is done for services, such as plumbers, dentists, doctors, etc. The access to the Internet by the CT/MD may be through a wireless service provider (WSP) or through a Multi-channel Multiplexing Transmitter Receiver (MMTR). 
     In the present invention, a user desiring to make a comparison or request a transaction including transactions relating to a comparison makes a wireless call to the central server of the present invention. The central server receives the request for the action, and parses the necessary information to service the call. Any information may be parsed, but will normally include an identification (ID) of the user, information about the language, the type of action forming the basis of the action, the number of actions desired, and any parameters that may be pertinent. The parameters involved may include, for example, inputting a limit on the values for a comparison, such as not more than a certain amount in US dollars. In another example of a parameter, an action might depend on a value being greater than or lesser than a preset amount of money, goods, or services for a transaction to be authorized. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a user with a cellular telephone/mobile device (CT/MD)  102  communicates with a central server  104  through, for example, wireless service provider  106 . Server  104  uses lookup tables  108  and a user profile in stored user profiles  118  to set an environment for the specific action. The environment set includes the ID of the user, the language being used, the type of action, and the value expected from a transaction or comparison, along with flags for any limits desired by the user. With the environment set, the central server obtains the desired information from vendor web sites  110  over the interne  114  or directly from the vendors  112 , such as by automatic email  116 . The information gathered is then inserted into the environment set up for the user, and further processed, such as by converting to the language of the user or adjusting the format as desired by the user. Depending on the results obtained and the urgency, the user is notified by phone, email, or other means, such as the US postal service. 
       FIG. 2  is an embodiment of the comparison and transaction system of the present invention showing how a table  200  of values is used to identify the source and value of actions being inquired about or required by the user. In  FIG. 2 , a template for the table  200  has been created, either from the central server or from software in the mobile device being used for inputting a request. As shown, the template allows entry of a requirement  202  for an action whose type has been determined, in this case a currency, and also allows entry of parameters as targets  204 ,  206 , and  208 . As an example, US dollars are to be compared to British pounds  204 , French francs  206 , and Indian rupees  208 . While the table shows only three targets, it will be understood that any number of targets could be involved. 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the comparison and transaction system  300  of the present invention. In  FIG. 3  shows a user with a mobile device (MD)  302 . This could also be a stationary device (SD) such as a personal computer  320  as shown. The user with the mobile device  302  communicates a price comparison request or a request for a desired transaction to a central server  304  through a wireless service provider (WSP)  306 . As described above, the central server  304  sets a user environment, such as the user ID, language being used, field of the comparisons desired, in this case currencies, and the mode of communication from lookup table  308  and user profiles  318 . Answers will be sent back to the mobile device or returned by email or otherwise, as indicated by the environment. The central server interrogates vendor locations  310  for the information desired over a network connection  314  such as the Internet, or directly communicates with sources such as travel agency  312  over a communication link  316 . Locations  310  or  312  respond with the desired information, or with some other information, such as a location with more current or pertinent information. The central server  304  processes the information received from the locations  310  and  312 , such as by parsing the information to determine the language used, and determines how to communicate the information to the user, such as through MD  302 . If new information relating to the user has been developed in the environment, it is used to update the user profile in the user profiles  318 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a price comparison system of the present invention showing an alternative version of the table  200  of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 4 , a template for building table  400  of comparison parameters  402  allows data to be assembled such as prices  404 , transaction  406  and information source  408 , such as the name of a vendor supplying a price. In the example of this embodiment, gardening equipment  402  comparisons are desired, with the specific items being hoes and rakes  404 . Transaction  406  for 1000 units is requested, and the information source is to be a distributor  408 . 
       FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the comparison system of the present invention showing a table  500  for entry of information, such as product information or a transaction. In  FIG. 5 , table  500  relates an action  502  to a user input in the form of a parameter  504 . Table  500  also allows the entry of a limit  506  above which (or below which, in other cases) an action is not desired or is not to be completed, and the date  508  on which the action is completed. Here, an Italian dinner for six is specified as the action  502 , with hearty being the parameter  504 ; that is, hearty portions. A limit  506  of $50.00 per person is imposed, and the date  508  desired is July 4. 
       FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the price comparison and transaction system of the present invention showing a table  600 . In  FIG. 6 , table  600  allows, for example, entries for a price comparison  602 , currency to be compared  604  with the units  606 . Clearly, as shown in  FIG. 2  and again in  FIG. 4 , entries, such as in table  600 , could be expanded to include other desired information, such as the current date, time at which a comparison or transaction is desired, and so on. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a mobile electronic commerce system  700  of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , the shops in a shopping mall, such as Store  1   702  and Store N  704 , may have their own individual MMTR such as MMTR  708  in Store  1   702  or MMTR  710  in Store  2  communicating over a network  706  such as the Internet. The network  706  may also be a local network with communication to the Internet through, for example, Internet Server  712 . The shops may also share a common MMTR such as MMTR  718  for Mall Central  714  of the shopping mall. When in the mall, the CT/MD such as the CT/MD held by user  1   720  or the CT/MD held by user  2   722  operates on one or more channels in a local mode. The CT/MD may use one or more MMTR  708 ,  710 , or  716  as shown by the multiple antennas on the CT/MD of user  1   720  or the CT/MD of user  2   722 . At the same time the CT/MD such as with user  1   720  or user  2   722  may operate on one or more channels using a WSP  306  in  FIG. 3 , and have multiple antennas, as mentioned, to enable this mode. Individual web sites of shops are auto tunable and selectable for easy browsing either through MMTR,  708 ,  710 ,  718  or a WSP  306  in  FIG. 3 . Products and services may be viewed on, for example, the CT/MD held by user  720 . Selections may be made, auto checkout is possible and record keeping is enabled. This combines virtual browsing of the aisles with online shopping convenience. Comparison to the goods or services of other vendors is enabled in the context of this invention. 
     When the CT/MD of, for example, user  720  is operating in the remote mode, access and transactions are enabled by the present invention through a WSP  306  in  FIG. 3 . In each case the software and protocols reside either on a local server  716  or Internet server  712 . A customer may input his own value optimization factors to generate an algorithm to drive individual satisfaction on all factors. 
       FIG. 8  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system  800  of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , an intelligent keyboard or CT/MD  802  may be configured with a specialized input device  804  such as an optical bar code reader. The specialized device  804  may be used for product identification entry/scanning and uses the essential features of the present invention as described above. This is valuable for grocery shopping and other shopping. Check out and payment may be automatic. Monthly, weekly tracking of purchases, analysis of purchases, pattern, inventory tracking and replenishment through the supply chain etc., may be automatic for the user and the vendor and supplier. Also, instead of the CT/MD  802 , a stand alone specialized input device such as a wireless bar code reader  806  may be supplied to each shopper to perform these functions, such as by using the MMTR  810  and local server  812  or network server  814 . The wireless bar code reader  806  is returned at checkout where it transfers the information on purchases to a server  812 ,  814  through the MMTR  810  and enables features such as automatic checkout and billing. Video and still images of products/services may be presented by a vendor on the CT/MD  802  on one or more channels while voice and data is on other channels of the CT/MD  802 . The MMTR  810  function may be embedded in the CT/MD  802 . In this embodiment of the present invention, customer profiles and photos may be supplied to, for example, a sales clerk for greeting, enhanced shopping and security using the CT/MD  802 , the MMTR  810 , server  812 ,  814  and software resident on the local server  812  or network server  814 . A photo of a customer may be acquired real time and compared against a database, such as on local server  812 . The sales clerk may access the data on an Intelligent Keyboard or CT/MD  802  for enhanced service and reduced fraud. 
       FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system  900  of the present invention. In  FIG. 9 , shopping is often done in consultation with another individual  916  either in a physical store or a virtual store. The other person  916  whose input is needed may not be present. A CT/MD  904  used by a sales person  902  may acquire images, such as video photos of customer  908  or goods  910 , using a built in camera or attachment  906 . The CT/MD may send the photos by wired or wireless means with appropriate data and comments (text and verbal) to the other person  906  by way of, for example, CT/MD  918  to help in the purchasing process. An MMTR  912  and local server  914  or network server such as an Internet server  922  may be in the loop with or without a WSP  920 . Thus the present invention enables decision makers  902 ,  908 ,  916  to fully compare all attributes and price in aiding the purchase decision. 
       FIG. 10  is an embodiment of the mobile electronic commerce system  1000  of the present invention. In  FIG. 10 , an important feature of the present invention is user configurable lists. The present invention enables configurable lists, and especially user configurable lists, with or without codes, on a CT/MD  1002 . Shopping lists, grocery lists, To Do lists, address lists, cost lists, inventory lists, medication lists and other types of lists are needed by individuals and businesses. While the viewing these lists may be more convenient on a CT/MD  1002 , data entry on a CT/MD  1002  poses a problem due to input limitations, such as the small keyboard. The present invention overcomes these limitations with individual customizable lists in the form of a configurable list. A configurable list of the present invention allows the user to input data on a PC  1004  or other device using a convenient input means, such as a large keyboard  1006 . The number of columns and number of rows in the list are defined and named by the user such as on the PC monitor  1008 . The user having defined one or more lists and named them appropriately may define numerical or alphanumeric codes to define the data in various fields. As an example the user might define a grocery list to track food shopping activity. This list may be defined, for example, with 5 columns and 20 rows. Column  1  may have the date, column  2  an item code, column  3  an item description, column  4  a quantity and column  5  may be a cost. Each row is a new entry. In addition, the user defines a list, and in this embodiment the defined list is called a code list. The code list cross references between the item description and its unique user defined code. The lists are then down loaded  1010  into the CT/MD  1002 . 
     An example of this embodiment of the invention is shown in table 1, 2 and 3 of  FIG. 10 : 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Code List 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Code 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 Milk 
               
               
                 2 
                 Butter 
               
               
                 3 
                 Cheese 
               
               
                 4 
                 Toilet Paper 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The resulting Grocery List is shown below: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Grocery List 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Date 
                 Code 
                 Description 
                 Quantity 
                 Cost 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Sep. 12, 2000 
                 1 
                 Milk 
                  1 gallon 
                 3.50 
               
               
                   
                 Sep. 12, 2000 
                 2 
                 Butter 
                  1 pound 
                 4.25 
               
               
                   
                 Sep. 13, 2000 
                 3 
                 Cheese 
                  2 pound 
                 2.79 
               
               
                   
                 Sep. 14, 2000 
                 4 
                 Toilet Paper 
                 12 rolls 
                 4.95 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In a cell phone browser this data may be presented in one or more formats depending on screen size. One format may be: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Grocery List 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Date: Sep. 12, 2000 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Code 1: 
                 Milk 
               
               
                   
                 Qty: 
                 1 gallon 
               
               
                   
                 Cost: 
                 $3.50 
               
               
                   
                 Code 2: 
                 Butter 
               
               
                   
                 Qty: 
                 1 pound 
               
               
                   
                 Cost: 
                 $4.25 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Date: Sep. 13, 2000 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Code 3: 
                 Cheese 
               
               
                   
                 Qty: 
                 2 lbs 
               
               
                   
                 Cost: 
                 $2.79 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Date: Sep. 14, 2000 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Code 4: 
                 Toilet Paper 
               
               
                   
                 Qty: 
                 12 rolls 
               
               
                   
                 Cost: 
                 $4.95 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Month to date Expense: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Milk: 
                  $3.50 
               
               
                   
                 Butter: 
                  $4.25 
               
               
                   
                 Cheese: 
                  $2.79 
               
               
                   
                 Toilet Paper: 
                  $4.95 
               
               
                   
                 Total: 
                 $15.49 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The data inputs may be auto filled by cross reference to the Code list. The quantity units may have a default auto fill unit or be selectable. The grocery list and the completed grocery purchases data may be tracked to determine spending patterns or for archival or other reasons by software that is resident on a local server or an Internet server. 
     This concept may be extended to other applications, for example, “To Do” lists, homework lists, “Action Item” lists, sales management, inventory, stock transactions to enable easy data entry or viewing with a CT/MD  1002 . With the present invention, the CT/MD  1002  is extendable to tables and spreadsheets to, for example, generate customer defined spreadsheets. 
     The present invention also covers calculator functions, both standard and scientific, accessible using the software resident on the local server or Internet server. The calculator function in a CT/MD  1002  is needed in mobile e-commerce. The data entry task is simplified by having menu choices that define the function to be performed, such as addition or subtraction, and the data to be entered in sequence such that the mathematical operation is performed with only numerical key entries. 
     Spreadsheets require more complex manipulation and presentation of processed numbers. The present invention provides configurable spreadsheets, requiring the mathematical manipulation of various data in a field and for the results to be input into various fields, with field identification. A table of X rows and Y columns is generated forming individual cells in which data may be entered and operations such as addition, subtraction, and other mathematical functions performed on one or more cells. Each cell may be accessed first by selecting a row or column and then using the up and down function on the CT/MD  1002 . Some cells may have a text header or content and other cells may have numbers only. The text may be entered as numerical codes by having a preset text to code number cross reference table. The value displayed in each cell is auto filled by the software on the server to show the number code and the corresponding text. This allows for easy data entry in numbers only. At the same time the separate code list may be viewed as needed to have the textual equivalent displayed. The CT/MD  1002  along with the software resident on a local server  914  in  FIG. 9  and the MMTR  912  in  FIG. 9  is thus enabled to execute spreadsheets and have it accessible from a CT/MD  1002 . The CT/MD  1002  may also use an Internet server  922  in  FIG. 9  and a WSP  920  in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating an external monitor or other display  1100  for facilitating the input and output of information. In  FIG. 11 , a CT/MD  1102  has a grocery list, which is transmitted by a wireless or other link  1110  to a display elsewhere such as on a PC  1104  with conventional keyboard  1106  and full size display  1108 . 
       FIG. 12  is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a search engine function  1200 . In  FIG. 12 , the search engine function  1200  uses search engine tables  1202  to find relevant data. This search is done, as an example, in the following manner:
         a. User sets up his own search engine table  1202  of key words, subjects, sources or other parameters or combination of parameters. The search engine table  1202  is set up using a PC  1204  or some other entry device with a full function keyboard  1106  in  FIG. 11 . The PC  1204  has a display  1206 , and uses one or more web sites  310  of  FIG. 3  providing functionality, which may be later accessed by the CT/MD  1208 .   b. Each search engine table is now accessible and viewable on the CT/MD  1208  to conduct one or more parametric searches by simply selecting up and down scroll function on the CT/MD  1208 . There may be a search engine table  1202  for key words and a search engine table  1202  for subjects and similar search engine tables. There can be a search engine table  1202  that is customized to the individual user needs that has a combination of parameters.   c. User selects the parameter of interest from the appropriate table and launches a search engine function  1200  by selecting a “SEARCH” function in a browser in the CT/MD  1208  on the CT/MD display  1210 .   d. The software and protocols resident on the local server  914  in  FIG. 9  or Internet server  922  in  FIG. 9  are available through wireless service provider (WSP)  1212  to launch the search function on, for example, the world wide web on web sites  310  of  FIG. 3 .       

     Method 2: Requiring No Text but Using Numerical Input for the Search Tables  1202 . 
     This search is done, as an example, in the following manner: 
     
         
         
           
             a. User sets up his own search engine table  1202  of key words, subjects, sources or other parameters or combinations of parameters and assigns numbers to each parametric value. As an example the word “money” may be assigned the number 1, the word “books” may be assigned number 2 and so on. The search engine table  1202  has a parametric value in text and a corresponding unique numerical value. There is a look up table relationship set up to automatically map parametric words to numbers and the reverse. The search engine tables  1202  are set up using a personal computer  1204  or some other device with a full function keyboard  1106  on  FIG. 11  and using one or more web sites  310  of  FIG. 3  that provide the functionality to be later accessed by the CT/MD  1208 . 
             b. Each search engine table  1202  and its associated mapping of text to numbers is now accessible and viewable on the CT/MD  1208 . The user may conduct one or more parametric searches by simply selecting up and down scroll functions on the CT/MD  1208  and inputting unique numerical values. There may be search engine tables  1202  for key words and search engine tables  1202  for subjects or similar search engine tables  1202  with associated mapped numerical values. There can be a search engine table  1202  that is customized to the individual users needs with a combination of parameters and numbers. 
             c. User selects the parameter of interest from the appropriate table, inputting a numerical value, and launches the search engine function  1200  by selecting the “SEARCH” function in the CT/MD  1208  browser in display  1206 . 
             d. The software and protocols resident on a local server  914  of  FIG. 9  or Internet server  922  of  FIG. 9  launch the search function on, for example, the world wide web on web sites  310  of  FIG. 3 . 
           
         
       
    
     In the present invention two distinct methods of conducting web based searches use limited or no textual inputs on a CT/MD  1208  or only numerical inputs. The present invention enables the user to set up a customized search engine  1200  for a CT/MD  1208  or other computing device to enhance mobile e-commerce or for related applications. 
     In addition, the software and protocols resident on a local server  914  or Internet server  922  may be programmed to learn the search needs and patterns to artificially learn the user&#39;s search behavior, preferences and search patterns. This feature will generate a customized and dynamically responsive artificial intelligence search engine function  1200  for various applications. 
     Method 3. Search by Deciphering Numerical Entries into Possible Word Associations:
         a. The input of numbers is preferable on a cellular or PCS telephone such as a CT/MD  1208  as opposed to words, since words require that more data be entered.   b. The word SEARCH, as an example, requires the input of only numbers in the present invention, and is accomplished as below:       

     S would normally require a depression of the 7 key three times. 
     E would require the depression of the 3 key two times. 
     A would require the depression of the 2 key one time. 
     R would require the depression of the 7 key two times. 
     C would require the depression of the 2 key three times. 
     H would require the depression of the 4 key two times. 
     A search engine table  1202  of possible desired words is generated if the keys are pressed only once for a chosen letter on the numerical key. In the case of SEARCH by pressing the key only once there are a number of possible words, or, if preferred, the number 7 might be pressed three times to bring up a lookup table of words beginning with “S”. The software and protocols resident on a local server  914  of  FIG. 9  or Internet server  922  of  FIG. 9  will generate a search engine table  1202  of possible words. A separate software algorithm resident on a local server  914  of  FIG. 9  or Internet server  922  of  FIG. 9  parses the search engine table  1202  data to generate intelligent choices of words that best suit the intention of the user. These choices are based on the profile of the user and generally accepted intentions of most users. The set of words is presented on the cell phone browser such as CT/MD  1208  display  1210  or by voice prompt. The user then makes a choice. The software is also set to make a default choice for the user. 
     The search is initiated automatically based on the default choice or by selection of the up and down menu bar in the manual mode. The search results are then presented to the CT/MD  1208  without having to type in a word and using only numerical inputs. 
       FIG. 13  is an embodiment of the present invention illustrating an apparatus for mobile electronic commerce  1300 . In  FIG. 13 , the shopping experience requires that the user take a number of proactive steps in the process of selection of items on shelf or table  1302  for payment and checkout. There is a need to seamlessly automate these steps using a CT/MD  904  in  FIG. 9 . The present invention includes a smart wireless tag  1304  that may be attached or clipped or hidden in the item  1306  or made inconspicuous or prominent depending on the application, value of the item and type of item itself. The smart wireless tag  1304  is continuously on, or may go selectively into a power down mode (for example, when the store is closed), and transmits using low power consumption circuitry. The smart wireless tag  1304  may have only a transmitter, only a receiver or both depending on need. In addition the smart wireless tag  1304  may be line powered for certain applications. The shrinking size of radio frequency and other electronic functions and integrated circuits allows a small smart wireless tag  1304  that will fit into a number of applications. Each smart wireless tag  1304  has a unique identification (ID)  1310 . The ID  1310  defines the type of item  1306  and other factors as required. 
     Any attempt to remove the item  1306  by the customer, from a predefined control zone  1308  under the supervision of a zone controller  1318  will result in audible or other notification to the sales clerk or vendor  902  in  FIG. 9 . The control zone  1308  may be defined to be either very small or very large. Each control zone  1308  has an area of coverage. In a control zone  1308  with a small area of coverage, the power used by the smart wireless tag  1304  is small and battery size may be small. The electronics and battery for a smart wireless tag may be designed to fit various applications and needs. Within the range of one or more control zones  1308  are located one or more MMTRs  1312  and a local server  1314 , though an Internet server  1316  connected through Internet connection  1320  may also be used. The software and protocols resident on the server  1314 ,  1316  keeps track of the one way or two way communications from a number of smart wireless tags  1304  in a store. 
     Having smart wireless tags  1304  allows for continuous tracking of inventory and physical assets that are tagged, and has other applications in the home environment, shopping, industry and generally. In addition, when the item  1306  is removed intentionally or otherwise, it is easy to track the movement and have alerts set. As an example when the item  1306  is sold, it may be auto checked and payment received directly, inventory adjusted, new orders placed for restocking and for other purposes. The smart wireless tag  1304  may be deactivated or removed when the item  1306  leaves the control zone  1308 . 
     The smart wireless tag  1304  in conjunction with the CT/MD  1302  may obviate the need for barcode attachments and other checkout scanners. When the customer is within the control zone and transmitting using a smart wireless tag, the item specific data may be received by the CT/MD  1302  to access all attributes, including price. The item may be auto added to a shopping list. The CT/MD  1302 , when in the physical location, will query the store inventory using an MMTR  1312  and servers  1314 ,  1316  to find out where certain items are located, price and other factors and to do an auto check out. When the CT/MD  1302  is not in the store the CT/MD  1302  user may access the store database and check inventory or make on line purchases. 
     In some cases the customer may wish to use a smart wireless tag  1304  to have that particular item programmed into his own control zone  1306 , such as a home, to include the item in an inventory/asset database. This can be done wherever the home, office or industry has its own MMTR  1312  and access to a server  1314 ,  1316 . 
     Thus in the present invention the MMTR  1312  in association with the smart wireless tag  1304  and a local server  1314  or an Internet server  1316  may be used for various applications to deter theft, to track items and assets, and for other purposes. 
       FIG. 14  is an embodiment of the apparatus for mobile electronic commerce  1400  of the present invention.  FIG. 14  enables each display shelf or table  1402  and checkout counter or cash register  1404  in a store  1406  to be fitted with a wired or wireless zone controller  1408 , which may be line or battery powered. The purpose of the zone controller  1408  is to track items and other parameters existing in its zone of influence  1410 , such as a zone in the store  1412  shown as the “Pay-Easy” Department Store. The zone controller  1408  is able to communicate with various items in its zone  1410 , such as smart wireless tags  1404  affixed to the items  1406 . The zone controller  1408  may have an MMTR  1416  function built-in to allow it to be part of a larger network in the store  1412 . The larger network in the store  1412  may have a central MMTR  1414  that communicates and controls the local zone controllers such as zone controller  1408 . Customer  902  of  FIG. 9  or sales clerk  908  of  FIG. 9  may make inputs on the zone controller  1408  to conduct various transactions including automatic purchases and payment. The zone controller  1408  may work in association with the customer&#39;s CT/MD such as CT/MD  904  of  FIG. 9  to conduct various automatic transactions or is capable of being used directly via a keyboard. An example of such a keyboard is intelligent keyboard  1006  of  FIG. 10  or the user may use other types of input and output methods. The central MMTR  1414  in conjunction with a local server  1418  and/or Internet server  1420  communicates and controls all functions in the store  1412 . These functions of the store  1412  include the various zone controllers such as zone controller  1408  and enables communication outside the store  1412  to CT/MDs such as CT/MD  904  of  FIG. 9  or other networks. 
       FIG. 15  is an embodiment of the present invention implemented in a department store  1500 . In  FIG. 15 , the store  1500 , which is shown as “Pay-Easy” Department Store  1510 , has various display tables  1502  and shelves fitted with zone controllers  1504 . The store  1500  has items  1506  on the display table  1502  or shelf. The items  1506  are affixed with smart wireless tags  1508 . Each item  1506  is under the control of a local zone controller  1504 . Each zone controller  1504  is in wireless communication and is under the control of a central MMTR  1414  of  FIG. 14  and a local server  1512  or network server such as an Internet server  1514 . 
     The software resident on the servers  1512 ,  1514  enables the items  1506  and other parameters to be tracked and analyzed automatically. Full wireless control down to every individual item  1506  exists within the store  1500 . The store  1500  MMTR  1504  is in an outside-the-store communication loop. The ability to track every individual item  1506  exists both within and outside the store  1500  if required, including items such as shopping cart  1516 . 
     HOW Mobile Purchasing May be Done: 
     Case 1: When in the store model. The buyer walks into the store and looks at the display table or display shelf. Each display has items with smart wireless tags affixed. Each smart wireless tag has a unique identification (ID) associated with it describing the product, attributes and price.
 
The display may have a zone controller associated with it.
 
Customer may choose an item using the CT/MD or manual entry on the zone controller to add the item to a shopping cart. The CT/MD is recognized as being preapproved to make purchases. The pertinent data relating to the CT/MD such as account number, credit card information and other factors are set once in the customer profile and are available on a server which is accessible via the MMTR. The customer account is auto charged. The item is entered into the database as having been sold allowing the permission to be set for removal from the store. The store inventory is auto adjusted and decreased for that item, the supplier is automatically notified and orders placed for that item and the delivery is scheduled. In turn the manufacturer may automatically schedule production. The entire sales and supply process may be fully automatic in accordance with the present invention, and may be fully or partially wireless. The software and protocols resident on local servers or Internet servers enable the total management of the complete supply chain and delivery chain.
 
Out of Store Model:
 
In a similar fashion the CT/MD or a stationary device may be used from outside the store to query the availability of items in one or more stores or sites. This query may go down to the individual item level. The connection of the CT/MD to the individual item is through the store MMTR and servers and the software resident on these servers. The query of the CT/MD results in polling each store for pricing and availability and computing the optimal acquisition, including such factors as color, size, shipping, delivery, order placement and order fulfillment based on the preset or dynamic user defined value algorithms. The software and user defined algorithms reside on one or more servers. Store transactions delivering the full range of customer satisfaction may be conducted by wired or wireless means using a device such as the IK/CT/MD, a central MMTR, servers and the software, protocols and value optimizing algorithms resident on various servers.
 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it should be understood that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.