Automatic dialing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a credit card dialing apparatus for use in automatically dialing account numbers, security codes and phone numbers into telephones. The apparatus includes a credit card size device having a memory, encoder, speaker, microphone and switch embedded into a circuit board for inputting and outputting specific information depending on the use of the card. The circuit described accesses the account by tones or signals fed through the receiver or direct data input from a small databus. In another embodiment, a microprocessor unit having a keyboard, microprocessor memory, encoder, a speaker unit and microphone as well as an alphanumeric display is utilized. This system permits the user to input the desired numbers and provide serial dialing and identification for particular sources.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a credit card size microprocessor operated telephone dialer / credit card.BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTIONTo place long distance telephone calls often the telephone dialer must either reverse the charges or recall a charge number for inputting into the telephone system. Particularly .[.four.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.those who make a number of telephone calls, recalling these numbers can be a difficult process. Where a list of numbers is kept at a separate location the user, particular when travelling, must locate and retrieve the appropriate number, not always an easy to task.In some airports and other high credit card use areas a few magnetic card reader type phones have been installed. Because so few of these phones exist, more than often a credit card caller must either wait in line for this special phone or he / she is forced to manually dial in the credit card number by way of the keypad on a standard phone set. The magnetic card...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention described therein includes the utilization of the present phone system, almost any phone, to automatically enter one's phone system credit card number. The user would no longer need to hunt for special magnetic card reading phones. Rather the user can enjoy the same ease of operation with the phone in his hotel room, client's office, or basically any phone. The credit card number will be entered to the phone system correctly each time, thus avoiding the tedious task of manually dialing the requisite code. One embodiment of the invention will not require any use programming. The user can receive his / her card completely pre-programmed.

A second apparatus for achieving these goals includes a credit card size microprocessor unit having a keypad, a microprocessor memory, an encoder, a speaking unit, a microphone as well as an alphanumeric display. The keypad permits the user to input the desired numbers, and to provide serial dialing to input new numbers and to identify the numbers as belonging to particular sources. Unlike other systems the processor is connected to a microphone and an output speaker such that the account number is not input to the telephone until the appropriate dial tone signal has been sensed by the microphone. This avoids the inefficiencies of programming a time delay as utilized in other systems. Each number that is being dialed is displayed so that the user can be sure that the correct number is being dialed in the telephone. The invention can also have a connection to an external system for inputting and outputting data to and from another source if that is desired. Typically the external bus is used for conventional credit card use (i.e. bank card), and if applicable in conjunction with a infrared source and detector.

Problems solved by technology

.Iadd.for .Iaddend.those who make a number of telephone calls, recalling these numbers can be a difficult process.

Where a list of numbers is kept at a separate location the user, particular when travelling, must locate and retrieve the appropriate number, not always an easy to task.

The magnetic card reader phone is not practical for hotel rooms and many other general locations and therefore are never found in these desirable locations.

Although memory dialer systems have been developed, these have been deficient for a number of reasons.

The existing units are bulky and require some knowledge of programming to be properly utilized.

As a result of their large size and complications encountered in programming, few find it convenient to carry and utilize the existing remote dialers.

In many cases the individuals would rather not go through the inconvenience of locating the magnetic credit card reader phones, waiting for these special phones, or the tedious task of manually dialing an access code and credit card number.

Often such systems do not accommodate the time delay properly incurred between the dialing of the telephone number and the tone for dialing in the charge number.

Those systems which rely simply on a programmable delay do not adjust for a significant delay or pauses due to problems in the communication system or other defects.

Other automatic dialers that exist in office telephones or other so-called portable systems are not small enough or sufficiently easy to use to make them as appealing as they should to the public.

Both the size and operation of automatic telephone dialer systems of the past have created impediments to their widespread use.

Should the "Universal Credit Card" be lost or stolen, the owner simply reports such and the access number would be made inactive by the appropriate company, or in the case that the user is using a PIN number, the card is inoperative.

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