WO2003030381A1

WO2003030381A1 - Prepaid recyclable cellular telephone

Info

Publication number: WO2003030381A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/009043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karen M. Wilson; John Georgiou; Frank Baldry
Original assignee: NEW HORIZONS TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL Inc
Current assignee: NEW HORIZONS TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL Inc
Priority date: 2001-03-16
Filing date: 2002-03-18
Publication date: 2003-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2003-09-16

Abstract

A system and method of operating a cellular telephone is provided with prepaid airtime minutes, for initiating and receiving calls, connected to a service provider by the user, used for the duration of the prepaid minutes or allowable time, and then if additional airtime in not purchased, recycled or discarded.

Description

PREPAID RECYCLABLE CELLULAR TELEPHONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cellular telephones. In particular, it relates to a system and method of operating a cellular telephone that is designed to be provided with prepaid airtime minutes, for initiating and receiving calls, connected to a service provider by the user, used for the duration of the prepaid minutes or allowable time, and then recycled or discarded.

Marketing approaches applied to cellular telephones in many countries involve intensive credit checks and contracts for telephone services that often extend over periods of a year or longer. A principal reason for such approaches is the possibility afforded a user of creating substantial liability for telephone services used. A result is that individuals who do not have established credit cannot obtain cellular telephone service. This is increasingly becoming a disadvantage for such individuals as the number of available public telephones has decreased in response to the increasing number of cellular telephones in use.

Another result of the marketing approaches is that an individual who needs to obtain cellular telephone service in a hurry may be delayed in obtaining it by the time taken for a credit check and by the insistence upon long-term commitments for cellular telephone service. High charges for the cancellation of cellular telephone service before the end of the contract period make it unattractive for a user to get a cellular telephone and cellular telephone service for a short period of time.

Cellular telephone systems currently in service include one analog system, the advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), and three digital systems. These are time division multiple-access (TDMA), and code division multiple- access (CDMA). The digital systems, particularly CDMA and TDMA, are supplanting AMPS systems because they can handle several calls at a time on a RF channel, while the AMPS systems can handle only one call at a time on a RF channel. However, large areas in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Russia, among other countries, still have AMPS service and can be expected to for some time. The relatively high call density in metropolitan areas supports the cost of changing to digital systems, but some of the rural areas do not have the density of calls that support changing to digital systems. Although the cellular telephone of the present invention could be configured for CDMA or TDMA, it is most likely to be of use in AMPS service, for which manufacturing costs are the lowest.

Conventional prepaid disposable cell phones have many limitations, for example, some of the phones are capable of calling out only and may have limited service life, with no renewal airtime. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6, 115,597 describes an emergency phone for calling emergency numbers only. The phone includes a timer that deactivates the phone after a limited use period. U.S. Patent No. 6,112,077 describes a non-reusable cellular phone including a programmable timer providing a predetermined amount of airtime. The phone is disabled when the calling time has expired. The time cannot be extended so the phone is disposed of. U.S. Patent No. 5,965,848 describes a disposable portable electronic device that can be utilized as a cellular phone with a predetermined period of calling time. The phone is disposed of after use. U.S. Patent 6,144,847 describes a wireless telephone with predetermined airtime that is programmed for the specific purpose of making purchases of additional calling time by the use of a credit card through the cellular phone itself. U.S. Patent No. 5, 870,459 also describes a recyclable cellular telephone having a predetermined period of airtime with the capability of purchasing additional airtime using a credit card through the phone. The phone can be activated and deactivated by a radio frequency communications link. The advantage of providing a cellular telephone with a prepaid amount of airtime is that the purchaser cannot incur service costs in excess of the prepaid amount, since the cellular telephone will be configured in software at the location of the service provider to limit access to the prepaid amount. When the prepaid time is used up or the time period for which the phone was activated has passed, the cellular telephone is disconnected from the system by the service provider. This is controlled by software at a center operated by the service provider. The telephone may then be returned to a central location for reprocessing and reuse, or it may be discarded by the user. In the alternative, a user may purchase more time from the service provider before the previously purchased airtime has been used up or before the originally announced time period of operation has passed.

The desire to limit service to AMPS in the present invention is one of the cost-cutting options mentioned above, even though it is possible to include digital capabilities in the cellular telephone at a higher cost. One relatively high-cost option often used on cellular telephones is a rechargeable battery, which also adds the cost of a charger or chargers to be paid by the consumer. All of these costs can be reduced significantly in a cellular telephone with non-rechargeable alkaline AA cells that can, if necessary, be replace by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for operating a low cost, recyclable cellular telephone that is obtained with prepaid call time, activated over a telephone line by the user, turned off by the service provider when the purchased call time is used up or when a time limitation expires, and that is discarded or returned to a designated location for reprocessing and reuse. It is contemplated that at least an outer case and perhaps a keypad of the recyclable cellular telephone will be discarded as a part of the reprocessing cycle, and that the electronic components, including a PCB, an antenna, and various shields against microwave radiation, and perhaps the keyboard, will be examined, tested, and reused if they prove to be reusable and replaced if they do not. The PCB is secured without soldering and fasteners and can be easily removed if a replacement board is required. The cellular telephone is designed to be used with AA alkaline batteries that are replaceable by the user, and the batteries will be replaced when the cellular telephone is recycled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a general flow chart of the activation of the system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operation of the system of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a more specific flow chart of activation and deactivation of the system of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the recycling process for cellular telephones of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flow chart of an incoming prepaid call, and

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the cellular telephone of the present invention showing the components thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will be understood more fully, while still further advantages will become apparent, in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general flow chart of the process of activating the cellular telephone of the present invention. In Figure 1 , a step 1 applies an electronic serial number (ESN) to the telephone to indicate that the telephone has passed all tests and is operative. One ESN is assigned to one PCB. The ESN is not transferable. A step 2 produces a label that can be affixed to the instruction manual for the telephone, the telephone itself, or both, and that can be read electronically to provide the ESN. In a step 3, telephones are shipped to a distribution center for final packaging and programming, including the encoding of the ESN for the telephone into the service provider database and the registration of prepaid service time into the cellular telephone. In a step 4, an individual obtains the cellular telephone, by purchase or gift. In a step 5, the individual or customer uses another telephone to call a toll-free number to give the ESN from the telephone to a customer service representative, who then gives the customer an unique phone number (MIN) and activates the cellular telephone within a short period of time. The customer is also advised that he or she can buy extra time from the service provider before the time on the cellular telephone is used up or before the preset service time expires. However, additional time can be purchased from the service provider after the after the preset time expires by contacting the service provider and buying additional time directly. Airtime can also be purchased by buying calling cards having a special code identifiable with the service provider. After the purchase of such a calling card, the user contacts the service provider with the calling card code for activation of airtime. To reiterate, a user has the following options: 1 ) purchase more airtime, 2) dispose of the phone and, 3) recycle the phone. The phone is always available for emergency use, either with existing airtime or after expiration of airtime. Emergency use involves dialing 911 or other local emergency number. Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operation of the system of the present invention. In Figure 2, a step 20 turns on power to the cellular telephone. In a step 21 , network authorization and registration comprises identifying the cellular telephone user, either by the electronic serial number (ESN) or by the telephone number assigned to the user upon initial activation. The step 21 determines whether the user is connected to the National Operations Center (NOC) of the service provider. If the user is not so connected, a step 22 connects the user to the NOC that is then activated in a step 23. If the user was already connected to the NOC and the cellular telephone was activated, a step 24 determines whether call time is available to the particular user because it has been purchased and not yet used. If it is not available, a step 25 prevents the user from originating or receiving a call and a step 26 sets aside the number assigned to that cellular phone for reuse by other cellular telephones as part of the recycling process.

If the user has call time available that has been purchased and not yet used, in a step 28 the user dials a number. If the number dialed is busy or does not answer, a step 29 ends the connection or prompts the user to end the connection in a step 30. This action is communicated to the step 24 to end the charges against the validation time of the user's cellular telephone, and a step 31 comprises a power-off action taken by the user to turn off the cellular telephone.

If the called number answers as indicated in a step 32, a step 33 begins tracking by the service provider of the call time used by the user. When the connection is ended by the user as indicated in a step 34, the validated time of the step 24 is alerted to stop the running of the clock on call time, a step 35 registers minutes used at the cellular telephone, and a step 36 places the cellular telephone in a standby mode. A step 37 by the user turns the power off of the phone. The process just described applies to original activation, which switches the user to the steps 22 and 23, as well as use after activation, which switches the user to the steps 27 and following. Figure 3 is a flow chart of activation and deactivation of the cellular telephone system of the present invention. In Figure 3, activation is seen to begin with a step 40 when the user powers on the cellular telephone. A step 41 performs network authentication and registration, which takes the ESN from the user's cellular telephone, records the prepaid time at the NOC, and assigns a number to the user as a part of the registration process. This is performed in the following steps. In a step 42, the user calls the service provider on a different phone and provides an activation code that is supplied to the user when the cellular telephone was purchased, and in a step 43 the user keys in the ESN that was also supplied with the cellular telephone or verbally reports it. In a step 44, the NOC validates the activation and the ESN and in a step 45 the NOC assigns a mobile identification number (MIN), activates the MIN and conveys the MIN to the user. In a step 46 the NOC communicates the information to the telephone carrier or network to activate the MIN and ESN for use. In a step 47 the carrier activates the MIN in the network. The user may now use the cellular telephone for as long as prepaid call minutes last or until a timeout deadline expires. The user will have received explanations that it can buy extra minutes or extra time before either has expired. When they expire, the cellular telephone must be recycled or discarded or additional time can be purchased. This is indicated under deactivation flow, where a step 50 shows the NOC deactivating the MIN, a step 51 shows the MIN returned to the NOC MIN pool for reuse by another customer, and a step 52 shows the product sent to recycling by the user, normally in response to the attraction of a refund of part of the original purchase price. The user can also discard the cellular telephone.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of the recycling process for cellular telephones of the present invention. In Figure 4, a step 60 indicates that a cellular telephone is received by a recycling center. Any of various commercial alternatives may be used to collect cellular telephones for recycling from users; these will normally include centers located at points of sale to increase convenience for users and will thus make it more likely that users will turn in spent cellular telephones for recycling. A bonus for returns will also make it more likely. A step 62 scans the ESN of the cellular telephone. If the ESN is deficient, it will be disposed of. It will be recalled that the MIN was recovered and separated from the ESN at an earlier stage of the recycling process.

The cellular telephone is next inspected in a step 64. If it passes, as indicated in a step 65, the cellular telephone is tested for operation in a step 66. If it fails the test, as indicated in a step 67, the damaged circuitry is disposed of in a step 68. If it passes, as indicated in a step 69, the cellular telephone is sanitized in a step 70, and the cellular telephone is sent for final testing of all electrical components as indicated in a step 71. If the cellular telephone fails the final test, as indicated in a step 72, the damaged circuitry is disposed of in the step 68. If it passes, as indicated in a step 73, the cellular telephone is refurbished in a step 74, new AA alkaline batteries are installed in a step 75, and the cellular telephone is repackaged in a step 76. The cellular telephone will keep the ESN it had and this will be scanned into a database as a remanufactured phone and packaged in the step 77. A step 78 then ships the recycled cellular telephone to a sales center for sale to a user.

If the cellular telephone fails the inspection of step 64, as indicated by a step 81 , the housing is removed and sent to be recycled. This is expected to be the normal result of the inspection of the step 64. The housing will typically be made of a plastic such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which is readily recyclable. It is preferable to design the housing so that to open it will not destroy it, so in such case, the housing is sent to plastics recycling in a step 82. It is preferable, however, to replace the housing. The electronic circuitry or PC board is tested in a step 83; if it fails, as indicated in a step 84, the damaged circuitry is disposed of in the step 68. If it passes, as indicated in a step 85, the electronic circuitry is refurbished as needed, as indicated in a step 86, and the refurbished circuitry is distributed to an assembly line as indicated in a step 87, where it is assembled in a new housing in a step 88. New batteries are installed in a step 89, the cellular telephone undergoes final testing in a step 90, and the cellular telephone is repackaged in a step 91. The ESN is then placed on the package in a step 92 and the recycled cellular telephone is shipped to the distribution center as indicated in the step 78.

Figure 5 shows a prepaid incoming call for the cellular telephone of the present invention. In Figure 5, the airtime is validated in step 101 when the call 100 reaches the phone. A step 102 activates a ring tone. A step 103 indicates answering the phone by the user. At this time the service provider tracks the remaining minutes of airtime, as indicated in step 104. Either party may terminate the call, as indicated in step 105. After completion of the call, the system or software program registers the minutes used, as indicated in step 106. A step 107 is a stand by mode.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the cellular telephone of the present invention. In Figure 6, the top housing 110 and bottom housing 112. The housing is made from plastic, preferably ABS, and is lightweight. The keypad 114 is easily fitted in top housing 110 and contacts PCB 116, which contains the electronic circuitry and microprocessor chip 118. Thumb wheel 120 adjusts audio volume and fits securely in antenna housing 122. Battery holder 124 with alkaline batteries 126 are placed below the antenna housing.

PCB 116 is not soldered in place but fitted into structured lock 128 for a snap fit. If the electronic circuitry fails its test in the recycling procedure, the PCB can be easily removed and replaced.

Activation light 130 is multi-functional indicating power and network coverage. A flashing green light indicates power and network coverage. The phone is ready to accept a call. A flashing red light indicates power but no network coverage. A continuous red light indicates a call is in progress. It is to be understood that the above detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only. Various details of design, construction and procedure may be modified without parting from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A system for operating a prepaid cellular telephone comprising: a. procuring a recyclable cellular telephone with prepaid airtime by a consumer; b. providing a telephone number for the consumer to call to a service provider to activate the recyclable cellular telephone; c. providing the user from the service provider a telephone number that is associated by the service provider with the electronic serial number (ESN) of the recyclable cellular telephone; d. activating the recyclable cellular telephone for use with the prepaid call time stored to be charged against; and e. terminating the service when the prepaid call time is used up or when a specified time limit has elapsed, by the service provider.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the prepaid cellular telephone is disposed of after terminating the service.

3. The system of Claim Twherein the prepaid telephone is recycled after terminating the service.

4. The system of Claim 1 wherein additional airtime is purchased by contacting the service provider and rendering payment for the airtime thereby allowing additonal airtime to be available.

5. The system of Claim 1 wherein activation of the prepaid cellular telephone is substantially immediate after following steps b through d.

6. A method of recycling a prepaid cellular telephone upon return of the telephone comprising: removing a disposable housing with a top and bottom, testing an electronic circuitry in a PC board inside the housing, and other electrical components, removing the PC board and other electrical components, replacing the PC board and electrical components, replacing batteries, replacing the disposable housing.

7. The method of Claim 6 wherein the housing, electronic circuitry, PC board and other electrical components are inspected.

8. The method of Claim 7 wherein the PC board is removed from a snap fitted groove in the housing.

9. The method of Claim 6 wherein the PC board, electrical components and housing are replace only if damaged.

10. The method of Claim 6 wherein the prepaid recyclable telephone is sanitized before reuse.