Abstract:
A Wireless Phone/pager system is modified to allow an owner to have proximity services such as toll tag access, ATM dispensing, gas pump dispensing, store credit card checkout, television remote control, garage door access, and more services using their wireless Phone/pager. The modification is accomplished in such a way that the existing wireless phone/pager/palm computer systems and the proximity device processing units require very little modification but produce a truly Advanced Wireless Phone/pager/palm computer System (AWPS). The AWPS can be appended in a seamless manner to the existing wireless communication and proximity service provider systems in current use. The new system virtually eliminates the need to carry multiple credit cards and access devices such as toll tags. Another feature of the invention is the built-in finger print detector unit which automatically provides unique owner codes which can be used to either replace or supplement the PIN codes usually required with the proximity service providers. The system may also combine multiple proximity billing services with the Phone/pager service provider, i.e., another convenience that would be greatly appreciated by the consumer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/325,500, entitled Advanced Wireless Phone System, and filed on Jun. 3, 1999, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARD FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The wireless phone/pager industry is rapidly changing the way people are starting to communicate. New digital phones, such as the NOKIA 9000 communicator series and the Qualcomm pdQ smartphone, are incorporating into phone computers more and more pager and internet service provider services, along with limited computer capabilities for the customer. The legacy “land line and cable” phone system communication methods are rapidly being replaced or supplemented by these new digital wireless phones. The reason is simple; the mobile phones are both more convenient and, in many cases, becoming less expensive than legacy systems. This is especially true in many other countries that had limited or no legacy phone service, because the cost of the hardwire infrastructure was too great.  
           [0004]    Before long, the new wireless phones may become a necessity for almost all individuals, even as those individuals still use conventional phones at home or in the office. The mobile office is truly becoming a way of life and phone makers are competing with computer makers for the “mobile office” market. However, all of these new, competing “digital wireless phones with built-in computers” and “palm computers with built-in phone/pager” systems are still focusing on bringing the customer a portable unit with longer life, E-Mail delivery capability, onboard phone book capability, more computer functions, roaming and other similar conveniences that used to require a computer and modem connected to a legacy phone system.  
           [0005]    A Mobile Small Office-Home Office (SOHO) market is emerging and it is not at all like the computer industry envisioned several years ago, or the wireless phone/pager industry envisioned. At the same time, the communication bandwidth infrastructure such as Fiber Optics Cables, Low Orbit Satellites, Gigafrequency Microwave systems, is allowing the wireless phone/pager system to grow at a rate it never anticipated and many communication service providers are struggling just to handle new customers.  
           [0006]    While digital technology has been fueling the wireless communication explosion, it also has been fueling rapid advances in other areas, such as credit card systems (debit cards, smart cards, etc.), e-commerce (ATM,s, WWW virtual stores), rapid gas delivery systems, rapid store check out systems, building access systems, and automated toll booth systems. These other areas will be referred to as the “proximity services” since in all cases the user must be close to a terminal (or proximity service provider) of some type to be serviced.  
           [0007]    To date, the advances in the wireless industry, computer industry, and the multiple proximity service industry, have been vertical advances (improvements in the older systems) brought on by the rapid size and cost reductions in digital technology. As with most technology advances, there is normally a price to pay for this convenience. The price to pay with all of these ancillary proximity service systems has been, for the most part, the inconvenience of having to carry multiple cards or other access devices along with the codes required for maintaining a customer&#39;s privacy.  
           [0008]    The inventor thinks it is now time to start replacing the multi-redundant system infrastructure with multiple integrated systems that allow a person to have all the modern rapid access conveniences without having to carry many cards or devices. It is to such a system that the present invention is directed.  
           [0009]    This invention combines the advances in the wireless communication digital devices and infrastructure with the demands of the many proximity service providers, such as rapid access and card systems proliferating the economy, to reduce the number of items which an individual must carry to interface with these systems. This invention relates to a system that incorporates all of the rapid access signaling and card requirements into a portable electronic communication device, such as a wireless phone, wireless pager or a palm computer. With the described invention, a single device may allow both mobile SOHO services to be used in combination with the vast number of proximity services offered by proximity service providers, such as access and credit card services that meet the individual or business needs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The new advanced wireless phone/pager system (AWPS) described herein combines the basic infrastructure and protocols to interface bi-directionally with proximity service providers, such as existing card and signaling access systems into a portable electronic device, such as a digital phone/pager capable of communicating bi-directionally with a communication service provider. The AWPS may also allow the means to decode these features to be placed on top of the legacy proximity service providers, such as the access and credit card reader systems. The new system refers to one key subsystem element as an Advance Wireless Phone/Pager (AWP unit or portable electronic communication device) to distinguish it from the Legacy wireless phone/pager, and the other key subsystem element as an Advanced Proximity Transmitter Receiver Unit (APTRU) to distinguish the portion added by this invention from the existing access and credit card reader systems functions already incorporated into these proximity service providers. The invention allows all of the card and other access device codes (personal information code) to be incorporated or stored in the AWP unit by remote control under the control of the proximity service provider although other suitable methods or apparatus can also be utilized, such as a keyboard.  
           [0011]    The invention modifies the existing proximity service providers in a manner such that the existing proximity service providers can still use the regular access devices such as credit cards and toll tags and also communicate with the AWP unit. The small added cost to modify the existing proximity service units will be quickly paid for by the increase in customer usage. A nice feature of the AWPS is that all of the access signaling to the proximity service provider can be done in a low power mode which does not decrease the life of the SOHO functions provided the AWP unit owner in todays legacy communication services.  
           [0012]    That is, the AWP unit described in this invention may have a dual power capability (or other suitable system of bi-directionally communicating with the proximity service provider and the communication service provider) which can be used to service all of the ancillary access and other close proximity services that can become part of the AWP unit in the future. A notable one is automatic vehicle or individual location monitoring services (note AVM systems currently exist using cell phones but they operate in the high power mode and the resolution is no better than the wireless phone cell location distances). The communication service provider such as Sprint, SWBT, or Nextel could also be the billing company for many of these proximity service providers currently sending out separate bills. This would greatly lower the cost of collections currently being done by Highway Tolling authorities, Airport Tolling authorities, parking lot companies, and the numerous credit card companies. Such a consolidated collection system would greatly increase the convenience to the customer and lower the cost to the various proximity service providers. Thus one embodiment of the AWPS invention allows graceful and convenient conversion into the information age using an approach that allows gradual replacement of the legacy access and proximity signaling systems with a universal multi purpose mobile communication device. Equally important the new system allows a seamless conversion to a universal worldwide system that each country can use to eventually phase out their existing proximity service providers, such as the limited and specialized access and credit systems which will make travelling much more convenient.  
           [0013]    The AWP unit can also incorporate the “alpha-numeric” worldwide communication features described in a co-pending patent application (Ser. No. 60/121,193), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. That is, there will be no need for those who purchase AWP unit&#39;s to learn the various state and country legacy communication and access systems after the AWU&#39;s are incorporated on top of the legacy operating systems. Thus in the future only one customer device will be required to have multiple services (for example, up to 20 services) now requiring separate devices, and customer billing systems. The AWP unit is also suited for a third feature involving the code portion of the operating system. The AWP unit is ideally suited to generate a unique owner code which can be automatically inserted from the AWP unit using a fingerprint converter unit built into the AWP unit. That is, an owner fingerprint code would always be available when the owner was operating the AWP unit and could be used as the only security or additional security to a PIN number to greatly reduce both credit card fraud and illegal entry into buildings. The fingerprint detector unit can also be incorporated into other communication devices, such as legacy non-wireless phones, to provide automated security features. Such automated security features may become necessary to prevent fraud in the many growing number of services, such as used in stock trading by computer (see co-pending application Ser. No. 08/970,769).  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 shows a diagram depicting the major AWPS Subsystem Elements. Four types of APTRU units are shown representing the most common proximity service providers, such as access and credit card systems in use today. Also the four most common mediums utilized by communication service providers for connecting phones/pagers and data processing centers today are shown including the Internet link. A single AWP unit is shown in FIG. 1 interfacing with all of these systems.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 shows the AWP unit and the signal flow logic in more detail. Those portions required to turn an existing Wireless digital Phone/pager are shown grouped separately from the existing elements available in state of the art digital wireless phone/pager. The existing elements are grouped and referred to as the Existing Legacy phone/pager Capabilities.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 shows a generic conversion process flow diagram example that is at the heart of the APTRU processing unit that interfaces with the existing legacy proximity service processing units of the various types shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows the elements and logic flow diagram for a Toll access system.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 shows the elements and logic flow diagram for an ATM dispensing system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 shows the elements and logic flow diagram for a Gas Pump access system.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 shows the elements and logic flow diagram for a store checkout system.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 shows the elements and logic flow diagram for adding the finger print detector unit to the wireless AWP unit.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a geographical territory which has been characterized as a local area and a roaming area.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 shows the elements of logic flow diagram for a telephone dialing system constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0024]    Referring to the FIG. 1, an AWPS  5  is depicted and is comprised of an AWP unit or portable electronic communication device  10 , connected to communication service providers  45 , via a communication unit  11  supported by the AWP unit  10  and capable of communicating with wireless ground station or satellite links  14  or  16  via a first signal type. The AWP unit  10  includes a portable housing  17 . The portable housing  17  of the AWP unit  10  supports the communication unit  11  and other components of the AWP unit  10 , including the memory of the AWP unit  10 . The links  14  or  16  can be bi-directional communication links. The communication service providers  45  can be telephone communication companies, such as AT&amp;T, SBC Communications, Air Touch Communications, NexTel, or the like. The AWP units  10  are also connected to the various types of proximity service providers  20  by the communication unit  11  and with a second signal type.  
         [0025]    The first signal type can be a high-power radio frequency type signal (which is sometimes referred to herein as a “high power mode”) utilized by wireless telephones and pagers, for example. The second signal type can be a low power radio frequency type signal (which is sometimes referred to herein as a “low power mode”) utilized in communication systems involving relatively short distances of less than one-mile, for example. For example, the second signal type can be low power radio frequency signal, or a light signal generated by an LED, or a communication signal transmitted over a cable, for example. The first and second signal types may be the same or different signal types depending on the particular application of the AWPS  5 .  
         [0026]    The proximity service providers  20  can be access and credit card units such as a toll booth unit  22 , an ATM unit  24 , a gas station pump  26 , and a store checkout station  28 . Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, the proximity service provider  20  can also be a television or other device having a remote control communication system, a garage door opener or other proximity service providers which receive signals transmitted from a relatively short distance away as discussed above.  
         [0027]    The Toll Booth unit  22  is shown being wireless connected to the AWP unit  10  via link  21  and communication unit  11 . The ATM unit  24  is shown being wireless connected to the AWP unit  10  via link  23  and communication unit  11 . The Gas Station Pump  26  is shown being wireless connected to the AWP unit  10  via link  25  and communication unit  11 . The Store check out station  28  is shown being wireless connected to the AWP unit  10  via link  27  and communication unit  11 . The links  21 ,  23 ,  25 , and  27  can be any suitable bi-directional communication link and the communication unit  11  can be any suitable bidirectional communication device, for example. All of these proximity service providers  20  are connected to their respective Data processing Business centers, if any, via link  29  to the communication service provider  45  and then to the business center  50  thereof via link  60 . By way of example an AWP unit owner may be using their AWP unit  10  via link  14  in one of the normal communication modes such as voice or data delivery and at the same time being granted access through a toll booth  22  by the same AWP unit  10  (simultaneous dual signaling mode).  
         [0028]    The wireless cellular network links are shown in  45  and they direct the AWP unit  10  communication call charges to the billing data processing centers  50  via link  60 . The toll booth  22  charges can be directed to this same central billing system  50  via standard phone lines  29  and connection  60  or they can be billed separately using the old legacy toll booth billing system.  
         [0029]    In FIG. 1 the method to automatically insert a unique code generated from the AWP unit  10  owner starts with the fingerprint detector unit  12 . The finger print detector unit  12  generates a unique code that can be automatically used to provide security to the proximity service providers  20  or used as supplemental security to other codes such as PIN numbers currently required by some proximity service providers  20 .  
         [0030]    In FIG. 2 the AWP unit  10  of FIG. 1 is further described in terms of various proximity service features  100  that utilize the existing legacy wireless phone/pager capabilities  180  when the AWP unit  10  is embodied in a wireless telephone (which includes a telephone transmitter unit, a telephone receiver unit, a microphone for receiving voice or data, and a speaker or display for outputting information received from the telephone transmitter unit from the communication service provider) or pager (which includes a portable housing supporting a receiver unit for receiving information from the communication service provider). The making and using of the existing legacy phone capabilities  180  are well known in the art. The existing capabilities  180  include the ability to insert names and phone numbers into the phone/pager computer memory following menu instruction shown on the display. This same process may be used in the new invention as one means to insert personal information codes, such as credit card numbers, Personal Identification numbers and access codes into the AWP unit  10  for use with the various proximity services offered by the proximity service provider  20 . Another means to insert personal information codes into the AWP unit  10  is by letting the proximity service provider  20  insert the personal information codes in a secure fashion with the encryption means the proximity service provider  20  chooses. Thus in some cases the user can insert the personal information codes, such as proximity service codes, and in other cases the proximity service provider  20  inserts the personal information codes, such as proximity service codes.  
         [0031]    Examples of uses of the present invention where it may be desirable to permit the proximity service provider  20  to insert the personal identification codes into the AWP unit  10  are security access codes, smart cards holding money, debit cards, and maybe even credit cards, except for the PIN numbers which may be inserted by the user via an input unit such as the alphanumeric keyboard included in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180 .  
         [0032]    The new services  100  include a proximity services mode switch  110  which can be activated manually or automatically via an auto activate mode unit  115  which would be turned on via link  116  when a signal was received by a T/R available signal detector unit located in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180 . Once the Advanced Proximity Transmitter Receiver Unit (APTRU) of one of the proximity service providers  20  is detected by the AWP unit  10  via one of the lines  21 ,  23 ,  25 , or  27  while in the auto activate mode, the unit  115  turns on the unit  110  via link  118  and a proximity service unit  140  then selects the correct proximity service automatically.  
         [0033]    The selection of the manual or automatic mode can be one of the menu setup options available in a proximity menu unit  130  and can be accomplished by the user manipulating the alphanumeric keyboard included in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180 . The proximity menu unit  130  represents a new service capability added to the main macro setup menu of the legacy computer menu functions shown in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180 . Once the proximity services mode switch  110  is activated either manually or automatically as just described, the switch  110  causes a mode of operation for communicating with the proximity service provider  20  to be activated by a unit  120  via line  122  sent to the transmitter/receiver located in  180 . The unit  120 , for causing the mode of operation for communicating with the proximity service provider  20  to be activated, is shown in FIG. 2 as a “low power transmitter mode” by way of example.  
         [0034]    Also the desired proximity service is selected either automatically or manually via a unit  140  and then a selected service signaling unit  150  is activated via link  144 , and the legacy unit  180  is notified via link  142 . In turn the unit  150  notifies the legacy unit  180  or the type of service signaling to expect and simultaneously notifies the selected service protocol unit  170  via line  154 .  
         [0035]    The fingerprint detector unit  12  can be activated in all selected service modes and feeds the users fingerprint code into the protocol unit  170  via line  162  as described more fully in connection with FIG. 8.  
         [0036]    Finally all of the proper protocol information associated with the selected service such as Toll Tag, parking lot entry, ATM dispensing, Gas pump dispensing, automatic vehicle monitoring, and others that may be provided by the AWP unit  10  to the proximity service provider  20  is stored in unit  170 . The predetermined protocols associated with the selected service is sent over to the legacy computer system in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180  via link  172  for proper processing of the security and other validation functions prior to transmission to one of the proximity service providers  20  via one of the lines  21 ,  23 ,  25  or  27 .  
         [0037]    The actual data processing is performed by a proximity service program selected by signal  142  and stored in the legacy digital communication computer located in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180  while the AWP unit  10  is in communication with one of the proximity service providers  20  more fully described in FIGS.  3  to  8 . In accordance with the present invention, a proximity service program is stored in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180  of the AWP unit  10 . The proximity service program is associated with each of the proximity services offered by the proximity service provider  20 .  
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the low power signaling (or other type of communication with the proximity service provider  20 ) via one of the links  21 ,  23 ,  25  or  27  can operate while the existing legacy phone capabilities  180  of the AWP unit  10  operates in the normal high power communication mode (or other suitable type of communication mode) via one of the links  14  or  16  in between the AWP unit  10  and legacy unit  180  high power signal bursts. This is referred to as the simultaneous dual power mode. In the simultaneous dual power mode, the user can be receiving messages (voice or data) on the AWP unit  10  from the communication service provider  45  while the AWP unit  10  is communicating with one of the proximity service providers  20  to effect a transaction, such as when the user is driving through a toll gate or paying for groceries at a checkout counter or utilizing some other proximity service provider  20 .  
         [0039]    The additional security provided by a built in finger print detector unit  12 , provides a system that is secure and practical in the 21 st  century. However this feature could just be an option.  
         [0040]    The description provided above will allow any one skilled in the art to quickly design a modification to an existing legacy Wireless phone/pager or palm top computer such as a Nokia 9000 wireless phone/pager, or an advanced 3com palm pilot III mobile computer respectively (these do not have phone/pager capability but may in the near future).  
         [0041]    One of the more important benefits of the invention is that the modifications required to add the AWP unit  10  capability to the existing proximity service providers  20  such as mentioned above is even simpler than the modifications required to the existing digital wireless phone/pager or palm top computers. All that is required is a very simple rf, or LED Proximity Transmitter and Receiver Unit or other bi-directional communication device, such as a physical docking or plug-in station for the AWP unit  10 , that includes a proximity converter unit that interfaces the AWP unit T/R signals with the existing legacy proximity service provider communication unit with the correct protocols. In FIG. 3 such a generic APTRU  20  is shown in terms of the AWP adapter unit  200  and the existing generic legacy system functions  280 . The legacy system functions  280  include an input unit (not shown) for reading at least one personal information code from a hard copy (e.g. credit card, debit card or the like) capable of being carried by an individual. The AWP adapter unit  200  has an AWP unit signal receiver unit  210  that receives the AWP unit  10  signals via one of the links  21 ,  23 ,  25  or  27 .  
         [0042]    The receiver detected signals are sent to the demodulator unit  220  via line  212 . The demodulated signals are then sent to the proximity converter unit  230  via line  221  for interfacing with the legacy system unit  280  via line  232 . Signals going back to the AWP unit  10  are first sent from the legacy unit  280  via line  232  to the proximity converter unit  230 . The signal is then converted into the proper form for transmission and sent to the AWP modulator unit  240  via line  231 . The modulated signal is then sent to the low power AWP signal transmitter unit  250  which transmits back to the AWP unit  10  via one of the links  21 , 23 , 25 , or  27 .  
         [0043]    In FIGS.  4  through FIG. 7 the APTRU units for the four proximity service providers  20  used in the invention description are presented. The numbering systems have been changed to distinguish each of the four proximity service providers  20  and the legacy function for each type proximity service provider  20  are given in each of the figures legacy unit. Also the specific communication link  21 ,  23 ,  25  or  27  is shown corresponding to the service center depicted in FIG. 1. The description of signal and logic flow is similar to that described in connection with the generic unit of FIG. 3 and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 8 depicts how the finger print detector unit  12  signals are generated and flow between the AWP unit  10  and the proximity service provider  20  of the AWPS  5 . When the finger print detector unit  12  is activated by the proximity services mode switch  110  via line  112  then a finger print system  780  (these are predetermined functions available with any existing finger print sensor reader unit) generates a finger print code characterizing the users finger print and sends them over via line  785  to the AWP finger print adapter unit  700  located in finger print detector unit  12 . The finger print system  780  is supported by the housing  17  and is positioned to receive at least a portion of an individual&#39;s finger. The AWP finger print adapter unit  700  has a print code converter  710  that converts the users finger prints into the predetermined codes using predetermined algorithms selected by the proximity service provider  20  and sends these codes to the print code unit  720  via line  715 . The print code unit  720  provides these signals to the protocol unit  170  via line  725  which in turn sends them to the existing legacy unit  180  via line  172 . The legacy unit  180  then transmits these codes to the various proximity service providers  20  via transmissions  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27  or other service centers not shown. The finger print coded information is thus made available to the proximity service providers  20  for validation and authorization purposes.  
         [0045]    The AWPS  5  can be utilized as follows. The proximity service provider  20  can be the store checkout station  28  located at a point of use such as a grocery store for example. In this embodiment, the user carries the AWP unit  10  into the grocery store and then selects at least one product for purchase. The user transports the AWP unit  10  and the products to the store checkout station  28 . The UPC code on the product is entered into the store checkout station  28 , such as by scanning the UPC code with a suitable scanner. The UPC or unique code identifying the product can be batched in the store checkout station  28  while the UPC codes of other products are entered into the store checkout station or otherwise until the user&#39;s transaction is complete. A product checkout price is requested from the user for payment. The user then actuates the proximity services mode switch  110  (FIG. 2) to cause the AWP unit  10  to download the personal information code and predetermined protocols to the AWP store checkout adapter unit  600  of the checkout station  28  as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. If additional security is desired, the user can place one of his fingers on the finger print system  780  (FIG. 8) to generate the unique codes which are indicative of the user&#39;s fingerprint. The unique codes can then be downloaded or transmitted to the AWP store checkout adapter unit  600  as discussed above. The operation of the AWP unit  10  and the store checkout station  28  has been discussed above and will not be repeated for sake of brevity.  
         [0046]    In any event, the personal information code, predetermined protocols, and possibly the unique fingerprint code, are transmitted from the store checkout station  28  to a third party, such as a credit card company, for automated payment verification as indicated by the line  29 . If the personal information code and unique fingerprint code are valid and the transaction is authorized, the third party transmits a signal to this effect to the store checkout station  28  via the link  29  and the transaction will be effected.  
         [0047]    As discussed above, the proximity service provider  20  can be the ATM unit  24 . In this embodiment, the AWPS  5  can be utilized as follows. The user transports the AWP unit  10  to the ATM unit  24 . The user then actuates the proximity services mode switch  110  (FIG. 2) to cause the AWP unit  10  to download the personal information code and other predetermined protocols to the AWP ATM adapter unit  400  of the ATM unit  24  as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. If additional security is desired, the user can place one of his fingers on the finger print system  780  (FIG. 8) to generate the unique codes which are indicative of the user&#39;s fingerprint. The unique codes can then be downloaded or transmitted to the AWP store checkout adapter unit  400  as discussed above. The operation of the AWP unit  10  and the ATM unit  24  has been discussed above and will not be repeated for sake of brevity. The user then enters in a withdrawal amount into the ATM keyboard unit and a pin number, if desired. The personal information code, withdrawal amount, and possibly the unique fingerprint code or the pin number, are transmitted from the ATM unit  24  to a third party, such as a bank, for automated payment verification as indicated by the line  29 .  
         [0048]    The processes for utilizing the AWP unit  10  with the toll booth  22 , and the gas station pump  26  are similar to the processes for utilizing the AWP unit  10  with the ATM unit  24  and the store checkout station  28 , except as described hereinafter. When the AWP unit  10  is being utilized with the toll booth  22 , the auto activate mode unit  115  in the AWP unit  10  is turned on via link  1   16  when a signal is received by a T/R available signal detector unit located in the existing legacy phone capabilities  180 . The personal information code and predetermined protocols are then transmitted to the toll booth unit  22  for automatic accounting of the toll booth charges, as discussed above. When the AWP unit  10  is being utilized with the gas station pump  26 , the user transmits the personal information codes and predetermined protocols to the gas station pump  26  via the link  25  as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The gas station pump  26  then transmits the personal information codes and predetermined protocols to a third party, such as a credit card company, via the link  29  for payment authorization prior to the pumping of the gas. When authorization is received, the gas station pump  26  is actuated to permit the user to pump the gas into his gas tank.  
         [0049]    While the AWP unit  10  is communicating with the toll booth  22 , the ATM unit  24 , the gas station pump  26 , or the store checkout station  28  (proximity service providers  20 ) the AWP unit  10  may also be communicating with the communication service provider  45  to permit the user to place telephone calls, receive pages, or receive and respond to e-mail, for example.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 9, a geographical territory  800  has been characterized as having a local area  802  and a roaming area  804 . The roaming area  804  is located outside the local area  802 . Conventionally, communication service providers  45  require or do not require the use of dialing prefix codes, such as billing (“1” or “0”) or area codes, based upon the location of the telephone within the geographical territory  800 . For example, if the telephone is located in the local area  802  and the telephone is being used to call a number associated with the local area  802 , a prefix, such as “1” or “0” preceding the number, may not be required. However, when the telephone is located outside the local area  802  (i.e. the roaming area  804 ) and the telephone code or number being dialed is associated with the local area, a prefix such as “1” or “0” and an area code preceding the telephone code number may be necessary.  
         [0051]    In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the AWP unit  10  includes the legacy digital computer  180 . The digital computer  180  is adapted to determine whether the AWP unit  10  is positioned in the roaming area  804  or the local area  802 . In accordance with the present invention, the digital computer  180  is programmed to add a predetermined prefix, such as the number one plus the area code, to a local telephone code stored in the memory unit of the AWP unit  10 , in response to the determination that the AWP unit  10  is currently positioned in the roaming area  804 . The digital computer  180  may also be adapted to determine whether the AWP unit  10  is positioned in the roaming area  804  and to remove the predetermined prefix, such as the number one plus the area code, the predetermined prefix being stored in the memory unit and running on the digital computer  180 , from the long-distance telephone code responsive to the determination that the AWP unit  10  is positioned in the roaming area  804 .  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIG. 10, the logic flow diagram for the computer program telephone dialing system  820  is shown. After the individual selects the local telephone code for dialing, the first step  822  is to determine the location of the AWP unit  10 . Where the AWP unit  10  is located within the local area  802 , the process branches  824  to the dialing step  826  and the local telephone code is dialed. Where it is determined that the AWP unit  10  is located in the roaming area  804 , the process branches to a step  830  as indicated by the line  828 . At the step  830 , the characteristics of the stored number are determined. The determination that the stored number is a local telephone code causes the process to branch to step  834  as indicated by the line  832 . At the step  834 , the digital computer  180  adds a predetermined prefix, such as the number one and the area code associated with the local telephone code, to the local telephone code. The corresponding prefix, such as the area code, may have been previously entered and stored within the digital computer  180 . Thereafter, the program branches to the step  826  to dial the local telephone code with the prefix added. However, where the characteristics of the stored number  830  result in the determination that the stored number is non-local, the process branches to a step  838  as indicated by the line  836 .  
         [0053]    The step  838  determines whether the predetermined prefix for the long-distance telephone code, such as the area code, matches the prefix for the long-distance telephone code applicable to the roaming area  804  where the AWP unit  10  is currently located. This may be accomplished, for example, by the digital computer  180  communicating with the communication service provider  45  during the communication session when determining the location of the AWP unit  10 . Where the codes are equivalent, such as where the area code prefix of the stored long-distance telephone code matches the area code of the current location of the AWP unit  10 , the process branches to a step  842  as indicated by the line  840 . At the step  842 , the prefix, such as the number one and the area code, is removed from the long-distance telephone code. Then, the modified long-distance telephone code is dialed at the step  826  as indicated by the line  844 .  
         [0054]    Where the step  838  determines that the predetermined prefix for the long-distance telephone code of the stored number, such as the area code, does not match the prefix for the long-distance telephone code applicable to the roaming area  804  where the AWP unit  10  is currently located, the process branches to the step  826  to dial the long-distance telephone code as it was stored in the digital computer  180  of the AWP unit  10 , as indicated by the line  846 .  
         [0055]    Changes may be made in the steps or sequence of steps or the construction or operation or mode methods described herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.