Abstract:
A telephone with a card reader is disclosed. The telephone includes means for providing a first communication service. The card includes a memory, which stores information, where the telephone reads the information stored in the memory and provides a means for providing a second communication service based on the information. In providing the second communication service, the telephone obtains second communication service information from a datastore, which includes pairs of information and corresponding second communication service information. The telephone may include the datastore. The telephone may alternatively obtain the second communication service information from or a service server in response to a request. Alternatively, the information stored in the memory can be the second communication service information itself.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more specifically to an apparatus and a method for a telephone with a card-reader. 
     2. Related Art 
     With the convergence of voice and data networks and the integration of corresponding services, the usage of a telephone is no longer confined to voice communication. In one scenario, a consumer uses a telephone to pay for a purchase, transfer funds between bank accounts, or receive personal medical information from a doctor during a call. 
     In another scenario, a merchant uses a telephone to complete an electronic fund transfer, send an order fulfillment notice, or provide a shipping tracking number to a customer during a call. 
     In yet another scenario, a corporate employee uses a telephone in a collaboration session with colleagues, share a confidential document in real-time, or send a contract to a client. 
     The availability of these functionalities from a telephone, however, posts an unintended problem for its users. 
     In one example, Jane is a small business owner. She uses a telephone to receive and process contract bids. A salesman visits Jane to discuss business opportunities. When Jane goes to the bathroom, the salesman can see the confidential bidding information of her competing contractors at the telephone. 
     In one example, Tony is a human resource manager. He uses a telephone in his office to handle employee complaints of a recent harassment situation. A fellow employee comes to Tony&#39;s office while Tony is taking a lunch break and sees the highly sensitive information at the telephone. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a mean to activate communication services to intended users. 
     SUMMARY 
     A telephone with a card reader is disclosed. The telephone includes means for providing a first communication service. The card includes a memory, which stores information, where the telephone reads the information stored in the memory and provides a means for providing a second communication service based on the information. In providing the second communication service, the telephone obtains second communication service information from a datastore, which includes pairs of information and corresponding second communication service information. The telephone may include the datastore. The telephone may alternatively obtain the second communication service information from or a service server in response to a request. Alternatively, the information stored in the memory can be the second communication service information itself. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a telephone. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method for a telephone to process a card. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a process of revealing a second communication service based on organizational information stored in a card. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on personal information stored in a card. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on a combined organization information and personal information stored in a card. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on second communication service information stored in a card. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a telephone. 
     Telephone  150  provides a plurality of means to allow a user  110  to use a plurality of communication services over a service network  180 . 
     In one embodiment, service network  180  includes a telephone network, such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a corporate telephone network or a Voice over IP (VoIP) network. In one embodiment, service network  180  includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network. In one embodiment, service network  180  includes the Internet. In one embodiment, service network  180  includes a corporate Virtual Private Network (VPN). In one embodiment, service network  180  includes a wired network, such as an Ethernet. In one embodiment, service network  180  includes a wireless network, such as a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, or a WiFi network. 
     In one embodiment, a communication service includes an outgoing telephone service, a local telephone service or a long distance telephone service. In one embodiment, a communication service includes a voice message service. In one embodiment, a communication service includes a conferencing service. In one embodiment, a communication service includes an Instant Message (IM) based or a Voice over IP based voice service. In one embodiment, a communication service includes a group call service, or a hot-line telephone service. In one embodiment, a communication service is a directory service, or a yellow page service. In one embodiment, a communication service is a reminder service, such as an automatic walkup call service, a conference call reminder, or an appointment reminder service. In one embodiment, a communication service is an information service, such as a news headlines service, a local weather report service, a road condition service, a stock quote service, or an emergency alert service, such as a flood warning service or a child abduction alert service. 
     The plurality of communication services does not include certain services for government regulatory compliance, such as emergency (e.g. 911) calls, or functions that may exist locally, such as calendar, phone book, or games. 
     Telephone  150  includes an input module  152  and an output module  153 . Input module  152  and output module  153  provide means to user  110  in order to use a communication service. 
     Telephone  150  sends outputs of a communication service via output module  153 . In one embodiment, output module  153  includes a display screen, such as a graphical display screen or a character-based display screen. In one embodiment, output module  153  includes a speaker. 
     Telephone  150  processes inputs destined for a communication service via input module  152 . In one embodiment, input module  152  includes a keyboard, a dialpad, a touchscreen or navigation buttons. In one embodiment, input module  152  includes a microphone. In one embodiment, input module  152  includes a mouse, a stylus, a pointing device, or a remote control device. In one embodiment, input module  152  includes a video camera. 
     Telephone  150  includes the functionality of reading a card  120 . In one embodiment, card  120  is an employee card, a hotel guest card or a service subscription card. In one embodiment, card  120  includes a magnetic stripe. In one embodiment, card  120  includes a visually readable linear barcode, such as Universal Product Code (UPC) code; or a two-dimensional barcode, such as Portable Data File  417  (PDF 417 ) matrix code. In one embodiment, card  120  includes physical characteristics, such as punch holes. In one embodiment, card  120  includes a memory, such as a flash memory. In one embodiment, card  120  includes a processor and associated memory. In one embodiment, card  120  includes a radio frequency (RF) module. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method for a telephone to process a card. 
     The method for telephone  250  to process card  220  includes step  201 , step  202  and step  203 . 
     In step  201 , telephone  250  reveals a first communication service. Telephone  250  reveals the first communication service by providing means for user  210  to use the first communication service. 
     In one embodiment, the first communication service is an incoming telephone service. In one embodiment, telephone  250  connects to the incoming telephone service over service network  280 . In one embodiment, telephone  250  enables a microphone in input module  252 , and a speaker in output module  253  to allow user  210  to receive incoming calls. 
     In one embodiment, the first communication service is a local telephone service. In one embodiment, telephone  250  connects to the local telephone service over service network  280 . In one embodiment, telephone  250  enables a dialpad and a microphone in input module  252 , and a speaker in output module  253  to allow user  210  to make and receive local telephone calls. In one embodiment, telephone  250  accepts digit inputs from the dialpad that corresponds to local telephone numbers. 
     In step  202 , telephone  250  reads card  220 . 
     In one embodiment, telephone  250  includes a card holder. User  210  places card  220  in the card holder. Telephone  250  reads card  220  via the card holder. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  250  includes a card swipe slot. User  210  swipes card  220  through the card swipe slot. Telephone  250  reads card  220  via the card swipe slot. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  250  includes an optical mean, such as an infrared reader. User  210  places card  220  in an operational vicinity of the optical mean. Telephone  250  reads card  220  via the optical mean. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  250  includes a Radio Frequency (RF) module, such as a Bluetooth module. User  210  places card  220  within an operational distance from the RF module. Telephone  250  reads card  220  via the RF module. 
     After step  202 , telephone  250  proceeds to step  203 . In step  203 , telephone  250  reveals a second communication service. Revealing the second communication service is different from revealing the first communication service. 
     In one embodiment, the second communication service is the same as the first communication service. In step  201 , telephone  250  provides means for user  210  to use the first communication service. In step  203 , telephone  250  provides additional means for user  210  to use the first communication service. For example, the communication service is a conferencing service. In step  201 , telephone  250  reveals the communication service by enabling a speaker in output module  253  and a microphone in input module  252 . In step  203 , telephone  250  reveals the communication service by further enabling a display screen in output module  253  and a keyboard in input module  252 . 
     In another embodiment, the second communication service is different from the first communication service. In one embodiment, the first communication service is a basic telephone service allowing user  210  to make a simple telephone call, and the second communication service is an Instant Message based voice service. In one embodiment, telephone  250  enables a display screen in output module  253  and a keyboard in input module  252  to allow user  210  to use the Instant Message based voice service. In another embodiment, the second communication service is a video conferencing service over a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Telephone  250  enables a video camera in input module  252 . 
     As is known in the art, a conventional cellular telephone uses a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The identity stored in the SIM card can then be used to determine the services available to the user of the cellular telephone. However, in contrast to the telephone  250  of the present invention, before the SIM card is read by the conventional cellular telephone, no first communication service is revealed to the cellular telephone. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a process of revealing a second communication service based on organizational information stored in a card. 
     Card  320  includes a card storage  329 . In one embodiment, card storage  329  is a magnetic tape, a flash random access memory, a mini drive. In one embodiment, card storage  329  is a random access memory powered by an associated battery. In one embodiment, card storage  329  is a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), such as a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) or a carbon nanotubes memory. In one embodiment, card storage  329  is a plurality of punch holes. 
     Card  320  includes organization information  321  stored in card storage  329 . Organization information  321  identifies an organization. 
     Telephone  350  reads card  320  by obtaining organization information  321  from card storage  329 . Telephone  350  reveals a second communication service based on organization information  321 . 
     In one embodiment, organization information  321  includes a company identity. Telephone  350  reveals a second communication service based on the company identity. In one embodiment, the company identity identifies a trading company. In one example, the second communication service is a Voice over IP conference service over a corporate virtual private network (VPN) of the trading company. In another example, the second communication service is a voice message service provided by a voice message system of the trading company. 
     In one embodiment, organization information  321  includes a department identity. Telephone  350  reveals a second communication service based on the department identity. In one embodiment, the department identity identifies an engineering department. In one example, the second communication service is an Instant Message based voice service for members of the engineering department. In another example, the second communication service is a directory service for members of the engineering department. The telephone directory service provides telephone directory of material suppliers, field trial customers and lab support personnel for the engineering department. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  350  connects to a datastore  360 . In one embodiment, datastore  360  includes a hard disk, a memory, a flash memory or a database. In one embodiment, telephone  350  includes the datastore  360 . 
     Datastore  360  includes organization information and communication service information. Telephone  350  determines a second communication service by matching organization information  321  with datastore  360 . In one embodiment, datastore  360  includes a plurality of organization information and communication service information pairs. Telephone  350  matches organization information  321  with datastore  360 . In one embodiment, telephone  350  finds a matched pair, and reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information in the matched pair. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  350  connects to a service server  370 . Service server  370  includes the functionality of receiving a request and responding with a communication service information. Telephone  350  determines a second communication service in conjunction with service server  370 . 
     In one embodiment, telephone  350  sends a request to service server  370 . The request includes organization information  321 . Telephone  350  receives a response from service server  370 . Telephone  350  reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information of the response. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on personal information stored in a card. 
     Card  420  includes a card storage  429 . Card  420  includes personal information  422  stored in card storage  429 . Personal information  422  identifies a person. 
     Telephone  450  reads card  420  by obtaining personal information  422  from card storage  429 . Telephone  450  reveals a second communication service based on personal information  422 . 
     In one embodiment, personal information  422  includes an employee number. Telephone  450  reveals a second communication service based on the employee number. In one example, the second communication service is a personal schedule reminder service for the employee, such as an alert service of scheduled conference calls for the employee. In another example, the second communication service is a remote call forward service that forwards phone calls destined for the employee to telephone  450 . 
     In one embodiment, information  422  includes a hospital patient identity. Telephone  450  reveals a second communication service based on the hospital patient identity. In one example, the second communication service is a direct call service to a surgeon who has operated on the patient. In another example, the second communication service is a personal directory service that provides telephone directory information of friends and family of the patient. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  450  connects to a datastore  460 . In one embodiment, telephone  450  includes the datastore  460 . Datastore  460  includes personal information and communication service information. Telephone  450  determines a second communication service by matching personal information  422  with datastore  460 . In one embodiment, datastore  460  includes a plurality of personal information and communication service information pairs. Telephone  450  matched personal information  422  with the plurality of personal information and communication service information pairs in datastore  460 . In one embodiment, telephone  450  finds a matched pair, and reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information in the matched pair. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  450  connects to a service server  470 . Service server  470  includes the functionality of receiving a request and responding with a communication service information. Telephone  450  determines a second communication service in conjunction with service server  470 . Telephone  450  sends a request to service server  470 . The request includes personal information  422 . Telephone  450  receives a response from service server  470 . Telephone  450  reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information in the response. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on a combined organization information and personal information stored in a card. 
     Card  520  includes card storage  529 . Card  520  includes organization information  521  and personal information  522  stored in card storage  529 . 
     Telephone  550  reads card  520  by obtaining organization information  521  and personal information  522  from card storage  529 . Telephone  550  reveals a second communication service based on the combined organization information  521  and personal information  522 . 
     In one embodiment, organization information  521  includes a company identity and personal information  522  includes an employee number. The company identity identifies a company and the employee number identifies an employee. Telephone  550  reveals a second communication service based the company identity and the employee number. In one embodiment, the second communication service is a personalized directory service provided by the company, and the personalized directory service provides telephone numbers for friends and family, or frequently dialed business telephone numbers for the employee. In one embodiment, the second communication service is a video conferencing service provided by the company, and the video conferencing service provides personalized conferencing functionalities for the employee. In one embodiment, the video conference service sends alert signals according to the employee&#39;s personal conference schedule. In another embodiment, the video conferencing service tailors conference experience, such as audio and video parameters according to personal preference of the employee. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  550  connects to a datastore  560 . In one embodiment, telephone  550  includes the datastore  560 . Datastore  560  stores organization information, personal information, and communication service information. Telephone  550  determines a second communication service by matching organization information  521  and personal information  522  with datastore  560 . In one embodiment, datastore  560  includes a plurality of organization information, personal information and communication service information triplets. Telephone  550  matched organization information  521  and personal information  522  with the plurality of organization information, personal information and communication service information triplets in datastore  560 . In one embodiment, telephone  550  finds a matched triplet, and reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information in the matched triplet. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  550  connects to a service server  570 . Service server  570  includes the functionality of receiving a request and responding with a communication service information. Telephone  550  determines a second communication service in conjunction with service server  570 . 
     In one embodiment, telephone  550  sends a request to service server  570 . The request includes organization information  521  and personal information  522 . Telephone  550  receives a response from service server  570 . Telephone  550  reveals the second communication service based on the communication service information in the response. 
     In one embodiment, telephone  550  reveals a second communication service after authenticating organization information  521 . In one embodiment, telephone  550  reveals a second communication service after authenticating personal information  522 . In one embodiment, telephone  550  reveals a second communication service after authentication the combined organization information  521  and personal information  522 . In one embodiment, telephone  550  conducts the authentication with service server  570 . In another embodiment, telephone  550  conducts the authentication with a different server. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a process to reveal a second communication service based on second communication service information stored in a card. 
     Card  620  includes a card storage  629 . Card  620  includes second communication service information  623  stored in card storage  629 . 
     Telephone  650  reads card  620  by obtaining second communication service information  623  from card storage  629 . Telephone  650  reveals the second communication service based on the second communication service information  623 . 
     The telephone can be used to reveal residential phone services, business phone services, industrial phone services such as hospital phone services and hotel/motel services, or campus phone services such as college dormitory phone services. In one embodiment, residential phone services include services for working parents, house wives, or students, such as consumer commercial services, local traffic and weather reports, school activities notification, or community group call communication services. In one embodiment, business phone services include business transaction services, such as electronic fund transfer, supply ordering, contract bidding or shipment confirmation. In one embodiment, hospital phone services include medical information services, treatment or medication administration services for hospital professionals or personal directory services for patients. In one embodiment, hotel/motel services include facility, show or restaurant reservation services, group call service for traveling companions, business conference scheduling and information services, or Voice over IP service over corporate VPN access. In one embodiment, campus phone services include study group communication services, dormitory activity notification services, or course registration services.