Purchasing aid logistics appliance

Abstract

A purchasing aid logistics appliance that assists a purchaser with a shopping list generation, in-store product location, automated checkout, and financial management. The PAL is in the form of a battery operated PAL with touch screen display and multimedia input/output. The PAL functions as a fiduciary aid and two-way communications device secure for managing money and processing perishable data. The PAL can function as a stand-alone device or synchronized with a user's personal computer via a RF or IR link.

1 . A handheld device comprising: 
 encrypted random access memory (RAM) having a disabled mode; an address decoder;    means for misaligning an address of a memory location in said encrypted RAM by a random number incorporated into said address decoder to encrypt the address to prepare said handheld device for said disabled mode;    an unlocking process capable of performing a multi-step process to access said encrypted RAM in said disabled mode including the steps of: 
 inserting a smart card into a smart card reader of said handheld device;  
 accessing a personal identification number on said smart card;  
 receiving a user entry including a candidate personal identification number; verifying said personal identification number with said candidate personal identification number;  
 comparing a secure data hash on said handheld device with a hash stored on said smart card;  
 unlocking said encrypted RAM if said personal identification number and said secure data hash verify; and  
 accessing said memory location by said address decoder by using said random number when a secure address range is accessed.  
   
   
   
       2 . The handheld device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plurality of antennas for sending and receiving simultaneous signals;    means for receiving said simultaneous signals on a wireless channel;    means for releasing said wireless channel;    means for exchanging information from said simultaneous signals on a full duplex wireless channel after releasing said wireless channel; and    means for transmitting said information using a special purpose short-range link to provide secure transmission of said financial data.    
   
   
       3 . The handheld device of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 means for controlling transmitting power in said full duplex wireless channel.