Wireless telephony for collecting tolls, conducting financial transactions, and authorizing other activities

Abstract

The following procedures describe the use of cellular telephones and other analog or digital wireless communication devices to conduct transactions and activities. These procedures effectively allow such devices to function as an electronic wallet, a wireless PIN Pad, and a contactless Smart Card.

1. A method of transferring funds between different accounts comprising the steps of expanding the function of a service provider's central processing unit to include account and authorization information, identifying the user by sending the user identification information on the subchannel of a cellular phone or other wireless communication device, entering the function code on the keypad of the cellular phone or other wireless communication device, sending the function code to the central processing unit of the provider which identifies the desired transaction, determining at the central processing unit whether a personal identification number is needed, and supplying the central processing unit with the personal identification number if needed, authorizing the desired transaction, determining the different accounts involved in the transaction, and confirming completion of the transaction. 
     
     
       2. A method of transferring funds between different accounts as in  claim 1  wherein the desired transaction involves a default amount at a pre-set price. 
     
     
       3. A method of transferring funds between different accounts as in  claim 1  wherein the desired transaction involves a variable amount, identifying the variable amount, and sending it to the central processing unit. 
     
     
       4. A method of verifying identity and authorizing access to a secured location comprising the steps of expanding the function of a service provider's central processing unit to include secure independent verification of a user's identity by sending the user identification information on the subchannel of a cellular phone or other wireless communication device, entering the function code on the keypad of the cellular phone or other wireless communication device, sending the function code to the central processing unit of the provider which identifies the desired transaction as access to the secured location, determining at the central processing unit whether a personal identification number is needed, and supplying the central processing unit with the personal identification number if needed, authorizing the desired transaction, and confirming completion of the transaction. 
     
     
       5. A method of verifying identity and authorizing access to a secured location as in  claim 4  wherein the step of authorizing the desired transaction includes communication with the secured location, and activation of the secured location to grant or deny access thereto. 
     
     
       6. A method transferring funds between different accounts comprising the steps of expanding the function of a service provider's central processing unit to include account and authorization information, receiving at the site of a transaction user identification information on the subchannel of a cellular phone or other wireless telecommunication device, transmitting a function code of a cellular phone or other wireless communication device  the user identification information to the central processing unit of the provider which identifies the desired transaction, determining at the central processing unit whether a personal identification number is needed, and supplying the central processing unit with the personal identification number if needed, authorizing the desired transaction, determining the different accounts involved in the transaction, and confirming completion of the transaction. 
     
     
       7. A method of transferring funds between different accounts as in  claim 6  wherein the desired transaction involves a default amount at a pre-set price. 
     
     
       8. A method of transferring funds between different accounts as in  claim 6  wherein the desired transaction involves a variable amount, identifying the variable amount, and sending it to the central processing unit. 
     
     
       9. A method of using a wireless telephone to transfer funds between different accounts comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in funds transfer,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        entering a function code which identifies the desired funds transfer on the keypad of the wireless telephone,        sending the function code to a central processing unit,        authorizing the desired funds transfer,        determining the different accounts involved in the funds transfer, and        confirming completion of the funds transfer.      
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the funds transfer involves a default amount at a pre-set price.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein the funds transfer involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       17. A method for realizing a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a vendor for goods or services, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        receiving, at the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the payment transaction,        sending payment transaction instruction information a central processing unit to identify the payment transaction,        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the payment transaction, and        confirming completion of the transaction.      
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein the payment involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  wherein the payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the payment.  
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification form the user identification.  
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 20  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       26. A method realizing a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a highway toll, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the toll payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        receiving at the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the highway toll payment transaction,        sending highway toll payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the highway toll payment transaction,        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the highway toll payment transaction, and        confirming completion of the highway toll payment transaction.      
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26  wherein the highway toll payment involves a default amount of a pre- set price.    
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 26  wherein the highway toll payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 26  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the payment.  
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 32  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       35. A method realizing a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone to pay a public transit fare, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the transit fare payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        receiving, at the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the transit fare payment transaction,        sending transit fare payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the transit fare payment transaction,        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the transit fare payment transaction, and        confirming completion of the transit fare payment transaction.      
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35  wherein the transit fare payment involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 35  wherein the transit fare payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 35  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the transit fare payment.  
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 38  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 38  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 41  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       44. A method realizing a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a parking garage fee, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the parking garage fee payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        receiving, at the wireless telephone an instruction identifying the parking garage fee payment transaction,        sending parking garage fee payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the parking garage fee payment transaction,        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the parking garage fee transaction, and        confirming completion of the parking garage fee transaction.      
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44  wherein the parking garage fee payment transaction involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 44  wherein the parking garage fee payment transaction involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 44  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the parking garage fee payment transaction.  
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 47  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 47  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 47  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 50  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 50  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       53. A method realizing an account inquiry transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to obtain account balance information, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in account balance inquiry transaction,        receiving user identification information by receiving wireless telephone identification information transmitted by the wireless telephone,        receiving, at the wireless telephone, an account inquiry instruction identifying the account inquiry transaction,        sending account inquiry instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the account inquiry transaction,        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the account inquiry transaction, and        completing the account inquiry transaction.      
     
     
       54. A method allowing a user of a wireless telephone to transfer funds between different accounts comprising the steps of:
   preparing the wireless telephone engage in the funds transfer,        receiving user identification information receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving from the wireless telephone identification of a function corresponding to funds transfer,        operating on the funds transfer function at a central processing unit,        determining the different accounts involved in the funds transfer, and        authorizing the desired funds transfer.      
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 54  wherein the funds transfer involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 54  wherein the funds transfer involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 54  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 54  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 54  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 59  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 59  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       62. A method allowing realization of a payment transaction by a user, operating a wireless telephone, paying a vendor for goods or services, the method comprising the steps of:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving, from the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the payment transaction,        sending payment transaction instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the payment transaction, and        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the payment transaction.      
     
     
       63. The method of  claim 62  wherein the payment involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       64. The method of  claim 62  wherein the payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       65. The method of  claim 62  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the payment.  
     
     
       66. The method of  claim 65  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       67. The method of  claim 66  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 66  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       69. The method of  claim 68  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       70. The method of  claim 68  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       71. A method allowing the realization of a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a highway toll, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the toll payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving, from the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the highway toll payment transaction,        sending highway toll payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the highway toll payment transaction, and        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the highway toll payment transaction.      
     
     
       72. The method of  claim 71  wherein the highway toll payment involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       73. The method of  claim 71  wherein the highway toll payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       74. The method of  claim 71  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the payment.  
     
     
       75. The method of  claim 74  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       76. The method of  claim 74  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       77. The method of  claim 74  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       78. The method of  claim 77  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       79. The method of  claim 77  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       80. A method allowing the realization of a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a public transit fare, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the transit fare payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving from the wireless telephone, an instruction relating to the transit fare payment transaction,        sending transit fare payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the transit fare payment transaction, and        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the transit fare payment transaction.      
     
     
       81. The method of  claim 80  wherein the transit fare payment involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       82. The method of  claim 80  wherein the transit fare payment involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       83. The method of  claim 80  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the transit fare payment.  
     
     
       84. The method of  claim 83  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       85. The method of  claim 83  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       86. The method of  claim 83  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       87. The method of  claim 86  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       88. The method of  claim 86  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       89. A method allowing the realization of a payment transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to pay a parking garage fee, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the parking garage fee payment transaction,        receiving user identification information by receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving, from the wireless telephone an instruction identifying the parking garage fee payment transaction,        sending parking garage fee payment instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the parking garage fee payment transaction, and        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the parking garage fee transaction.      
     
     
       90. The method of  claim 89  wherein the parking garage fee payment transaction involves a default amount at a pre- set price.    
     
     
       91. The method of  claim 89  wherein the parking garage fee payment transaction involves a variable amount and which includes the further steps of:
   using the wireless telephone to identify the variable amount, and        sending the identified amount to the central processing unit.      
     
     
       92. The method of  claim 89  which further includes the step of determining the different accounts involved in the parking garage fee payment transaction.  
     
     
       93. The method of  claim 92  wherein the determining step includes determining a source account identification from the user identification.  
     
     
       94. The method of  claim 92  wherein the determining step includes determining a destination account from the function code.  
     
     
       95. The method of  claim 92  wherein the determining step includes identifying an account using a keypad of the wireless telephone.  
     
     
       96. The method of  claim 95  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a source account.  
     
     
       97. The method of  claim 95  wherein the account identified using the keypad is a destination account.  
     
     
       98. A method allowing the realization of an account inquiry transaction allowing a user, operating a wireless telephone, to obtain account balance information, the method comprising:
   preparing the wireless telephone to engage in the account inquiry transaction,        receiving user identification information by receipt of wireless telephone identification information,        receiving, from the wireless telephone, an account inquiry instruction identifying the account inquiry transaction,        sending account inquiry instruction information to a central processing unit to identify the account inquiry transaction, and        authorizing, using the central processing unit, the account inquiry transaction.