Patent Publication Number: US-2005127158-A1

Title: Control card check

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 July 1983 
                 Atalla, et al. 
                 705/70 
               
               
                   
                 January 2001 
                 Mc George, Jr. 
                 707/6. 
               
               
                   
                 May 1998 
                 Krause 
                 235/492. 
               
               
                   
                 May 1998 
                 Thomas 
                 705/44. 
               
               
                   
                 April 1999 
                 Tramontano 
                 235/380 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The first ATM was installed 1969 by Chemical Bank at it&#39;s branch in Rockville Center, N.Y. America. Now, every bank in the world can do ATM&#39;s, and issue check cards and credit cards to their customers. Still today, no bank or credit card company has offered their clients with a new convenient way to assess their account balance with an accommodating tool. Today, more than ever before, because of the fast paced society and change, people are in need to audit their accounts faster in order to know if they are within or over their budgets, but banks have not satisfied this demand, causing customers to overlook receipts, make inaccurate check book reconciliation&#39;s, and resolving in overdraft charges. Everyone that owns an account card has experienced an inconvenience at one time or another when trying to retrieve his or her account data in the subsequent methods. The existing services that banks offer to check individual accounts are, calling the bank, visiting the institution (bank branch), and going on the Internet, which consumes time in order to retrieve account information. Not to mention, that many customers struggle on the Internet due to interposed unknowledgeable passwords and user ID names. Those systems and methods are past the prime, and discourage the average person. CONTROL CARD CHECK has the features that change all that, and helps you retrieve bank information at a speedy rate, anywhere, anytime.  
      The present invention is a system and a method for auditing financial accounts. This invention is classified under technology and pertains to the bank industry and credit card industry; but not limited to the cell phone communications industry, and PDA industry. CONTROL CARD CHECK is like walking around with your own personal automated teller machine (ATM) without a cash dispenser. CONTROL CARD CHECK is a device that can deliver information with the same speed of that from an ATM, but with the weight of a palm pilot. Both of who haven&#39;t been able to integrate in order to evolve a better personal access system until now. This Invention is an integration of technologies currently in use; Magnetoresistive, Credit card magnetic strip, wireless modem, microprocessor, host processor, and battery. This Idea is in demand by the millions of people that feel that bank services have come up short, and are inadequate when trying to audit personal accounts.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
      Current technologies, such as cell phone and PDA (palm pilots) are practically interrupted; and it&#39;s uncommon that people access their accounts on cell phones via the Internet. Usually when people call their bank institutions, they experience break up problems due to reception disorder and pockets; and sometimes when making a call from a non-mobile connection, customers can wait for up to ten minutes to get a representative on the line, causing usage of free minutes or increasing prices in charged minutes.  
      Not to mention, PDA companies can&#39;t even offer this feature of calling in without the integration of the cell phone, as presented by SIEMENS MOBILE SX56, that&#39;s the latest integration technology. And still, that innovation comes up short as far as bank accessing is concerned. Why? Because people don&#39;t have the option to check each account card they own at the same time from the same device. CONTROL CARD CHECK offers comfort and security. For these reasons CONTROL CARD CHECK is an innovative technology integration that Cell Phone Companies and Palm PDA companies can also benefit from.  
      Banks such as WACHOVIA have a very limited and primitive way of informing their customers about their accounts. They have the use of delivering your account balance to your E-mail, Pager, or wireless pager device that the bank provides. It&#39;s a message device advising you when your account balance goes above or below the amount you specify. The problem with this device is that you would need more than one alerting pager if you bank with more than one bank. Imagine carrying around three pagers to access three different accounts. Not logical. Not to mention, WACHOVIA&#39;S device can&#39;t even access credit card accounts, such as Capital One, Chase, TARGET, Citibank, AT&amp;T, etc. This concludes that WACHOVIA&#39;S new service for accessing account balance still come up short and is old when comparing it to CONTROL CARD CHECK&#39;S dynamic feature that can access all your financial accounts in one system.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A state of the art, transportable, digital wireless invention that relates to the use of a pocket size micro-controller to read data from/to a plurality of tracks contained on a magnetic stripe card; enabling the user to review his or hers personal financial records at a prompt rate, by inserting the card into a card reader that uses DSP, ADC, GSM, and ATM technologies, so people can have the freedom to employ the device from any location. This invention is the short cut to calling in, logging to the Internet, and driving to the bank institution. Now, people don&#39;t have to stress over following the old methods in order retrieve bank information. It&#39;s all in your pocket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings.  
      ( FIG. 1 ) is an illustration of the CONTROL CARD CHECK embodiment. A digital, wireless system for accessing individual financial records. Dimensions: 0.37″L×2.37″W×3.68″H. Depicts the top view card reader slot for card insertion with release button. UP and DOWN buttons; ENTER button, battery recharge insert, and on/off switch.  
      ( FIG. 2 ) is an illustration of an embedded CONTROL CARD CHECK into a cell phone embodiment; Hypothetical example.  
      ( FIG. 2A ) is an illustration of an embedded CONTROL CARD CHECK into a pocket PC (PDA) embodiment; Hypothetical example shows the top view integration.  
      ( FIG. 3 ) is an illustration of how the user inserts their card into the portable magnetic stripe card reader slot (magnetoresistive) operatively embedded inside the micro-controller.  
      ( FIG. 4 ) is a picture of how the frequency waves travel to achieve output transmission. Data from the CONTROL CARD CHECK is transmitted to a host processor using cell phone towers to find GSM satellites that send frequency to host processor, that unscrambles data, then sends reply back to satellite; satellite trunks that data to the CONTROL CARD CHECK.  
      ( FIG. 5 ) is an illustration that displays numbers on the touch screen for the user to input their four-digit pin number. Then touches ENTER to continue. If pin number is entered incorrectly, touch CANCEL and start over.  
      ( FIG. 6 ) is an illustration of the device displaying the four options to choose from. Use left bottom button for up and down; or just touch the option, then press on button or touch ENTER to confirm option.  
      ( FIG. 7 ) is an illustration of option A from  FIG. 6 ; CURRENT BALANCE. Touch CANCEL at bottom left of the screen to cancel; touch CONTINUE at bottom right of the screen in order to move forward to choice B.  
      ( FIG. 8 ) is a drawing of option B from  FIG. 6 ; DAILY TRANSACTIONS. Use Up/Down button to move up or down on the display screen, or touch option on screen. Touch CANCEL at the bottom left of the screen to cancel. Touch BACK located at the middle bottom of the screen to move back to option A. Touch CONTINUE at bottom right of the screen to proceed to option C.  
      ( FIG. 9 ) is an illustration of option C from  FIG. 6 ; WEEKLY TRANSACTIONS. Use Up/Down button to move up or down on the display screen, or touch option on screen. Touch CANCEL at the bottom left of the screen to cancel. Touch BACK at middle bottom of the screen to move back to option B. Touch CONTINUE at the bottom left of the screen to move forward to option D.  
      ( FIG. 10 ) is a picture of option D from  FIG. 6 ; PAYMENT INFORMATION. The screen displays the address and phone number of the bank to which the card corresponds. Here also view payment due date. Touch CANCEL at bottom left to cancel program and turn off system. Touch FINISH to end and start over, and check another card. Touch BACK at bottom right to go back to previous options. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a system and method for accessing individual financial records for bank and credit card customers by using a hand held wireless, digital device; much like a PDA device, but consisting of different technology matter which evolves the use of the existing software and hardware. The preferred embodiment consists of magnesium alloy and plastic to house the hardware, and the appropriate dimensions should be 0.37″L×2.37″W×3.68″H, and weighs approximately 5½ to 6 ounces, as shown on ( FIG. 1 ), and mentioned in (claim  2 ).  
      First turn on device by using the on/off switch located on the upper right side, next to the screen; ( FIG. 1 ). Following the maximum insertion of the users magnetic strip card to be inserted in to the portable card reader slot embedded inside the micro-controller; ( FIG. 1 ) illustrates the top view of where the card slot reader is rooted. Also, ( FIG. 3 ) illustrates in actual size, an example of a bankcard being inserted into the card reader slot in a downward motion. Materials inside the card reader consists of guiding rails to guide the edges of the card as it is being pushed inside; magnetic reader sensors, spring coils, and a locking switch that is supplied with a responsive release button; shown on ( FIG. 1 ). Also, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) chip is needed inside the embodiment, so that the analog to digital conversion signal can be enabled and output by process of modulation. Analog to digital conversion is an electronic process in which a continuously variable (Analog) signal is charged, without altering its essential content, into a multi-level digital signal. The input to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) consists of a voltage that varies among a theoretically infinite number of values. Examples are sine waves, the waveforms representing human speech, and the signal from a conventional television camera. The output of the ADC, in contrast, has defined levels or states. The number states is almost always a power of two-that is, 2,4,8,16, etc. The simplest digital signals have only two states, and are called binary. All whole numbers can be represented in binary form as strings of ones and zeros. Digital signals propagate more efficiently than analog signals, largely because digital impulses, which are well-defined and are in order, are easier for the electronic circuit to distinguish from noise, which is chaotic. This is the chief advantage of the digital modes in communications. Computers “talk” in terms of binary digital information; while a microprocessor (DSP) can analyze data, it must be converted into digital form for the computer to make sense of it. Then, a typical phone modem makes use of an ADC to convert the incoming audio from a twisted-pair line into signals the computer can understand. In a digital signal processing system, an ADC is required if the signal input is analog.  
      Once the data has been read from the back of the card (magnetic stripe), the DSP chip converts the analog to digital data that then transmits an identification code to the bank network (host processor) that recognizes the identification of the card; (Claim  2 A. &amp;  3 ). This is all possible by a modem that works together with and that would be ideal for satellite Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) that is an international standard for backhaul and ISP trunking.  
      ( FIG. 4 ) illustrates the flow of frequency waves that transmit the data back and forth using the same cell towers as cell phones use in order to find the GSM satellites that send frequency to host processor, that reads the data, then sends reply back to satellite, that then sends data directly to the initial controller (CONTROL CARD CHECK), but uses a different compressed WAV format (ADPCM) Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation that is an audio compression scheme which compresses from 16 bit to 4 bit for a 4:1 compression ratio, as mentioned in (Claim  7  &amp;  7 A); making CONTROL CARD CHECK the evolution to personal financial auditing that is a feature no other pocket hand held device offers. In addition, cell phones and palm pilots can benefit from the present invention integration as shown in ( FIGS. 2 &amp; 2A ), hypothetical examples. This micro- controller also needs and uses (FSK) frequency shift keys to send data back and forth over (AMPS) Advanced Mobile Phone Systems which make up part of the (GSM); also mentioned in (claim  6  &amp;  6 A). Frequency shift keys use the (ADPCM) WAV format scheme while modulation takes place.  
      A simple process called modulation makes this all possible with the use of a modem that is installed into the preferred embodiment. The interior wireless modem that (modulates &amp; demodulates) conducts a communications process in which some characteristics of a wave is made to vary in accordance with an information-bearing signal wave. The demodulation process is when the original signal is recovered from the wave modulation; (Claim  8 ). Modulation achieved by the transfer of energy by oscillatory motion, preferred embodiment needs micro-oscillators, that is an electronic circuit that produces an output signal of a specific frequency, capable with quartz crystal oscillators generally consisting of micro-amplifiers having part of its output returned to the input by means of the feed back loop; (Claim  8 A,  8 B,  8 C). The above mentioned is part of the modulation process that needs to work together with an integrated micro-mixer to translate signals upward or down ward in frequency; (Claim. 9 ). In this case an integrated Polymer lithium battery would be ideal, because of its long duration of about 14 to 20 hrs depending on usage. These batteries are the same ones cell phone and PDA&#39;s use. In illustration ( FIG. 1 ) the battery AC adapter recharge insert is evident underneath the embodiment.  
      The use of an integrated micro-potentiometer makes an exact determination of electromagnetic force that is derived from the battery; (Claim.  10 ). An interior antenna is also needed to facilitate the transmission or receiving of electromagnetic waves. The system operates on a high-speed processor, preferably supplied by an integrated Intel&#39;s® Strong Arm model.  
      After instant automatic modulation has been achieved, CONTROL CARD CHECK asks you to input your four-digit pin number for security purposes. This is to verify that the card is in the possession of the appropriate owner. ( FIG. 5 ) is an illustration of a touch screen pad, (160×160) black and white transflective set-up, with the number arrangements alike to a telephone and ATM. Just touch your four-digit pin number, and then touch ENTER to continue. The ENTER button can also be used to continue. Touch CANCEL if a mistake is made. The process of modulation takes place again and grants you access to your account. In ( FIG. 6 .) a drawing of the four options are listed. Using the left bottom button to move you UP/DOWN, or touch the desired option on the screen, then touch ENTER to continue; or press the ENTER button.  
      ( FIG. 7 .) Depicts is the first option. Current balance. Here you can see your most recent Balance on the card. It may be possible to also view available balance, which may be different from current balance. Touch on the CANCEL to cancel, or CONTINUE to move to the second choice. ( FIG. 8 .) is the second choice, daily transactions made. Touch CONTINUE to move forward, BACK to choice one, or CANCEL to end audit. Bottom left button can move you up/down. ( FIG. 9 .) is similar to  FIG. 8 ; the difference is that  FIG. 9  is Weekly Transactions. Use the same steps as  FIG. 8 . to move you through. ( FIG. 10 .) is the last option. Payment Information with bank address and telephone number. Due date also listed. Touch CANCEL to finish and turn off system. Touch FINISH to end and start over, and check another card, or touch BACK to move to the previous option(s). The tools used to manufacture such a device are the same and similar to that used to build a Cell Phone and a handheld PDA.  
      It should be stated that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, principally, any “preferred” embodiments, are simply possible examples of the implementations, simply set forth for a clear understanding of the idea of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above embodiment of the invention without leaving significantly any forms and ideas of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the range of this disclosure and the present invention, and protected by the subsequent claims.