US4634845A — Portable personal terminal for use in a system fo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 250 words

A data handling device comprising: a panel; a plurality of discrete display elements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, user instructions and key information to a user of said device; said discrete display elements being small in size to enable said user instructions and key information to be presented over substantially all of said panel; a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated; said discrete display elements and said discrete switches being positioned in overlapping relationship relative to said panel to enable said switches to be actuated from said panel; control means for controlling the operation of said device including said discrete display elements and said discrete switches so as to facilitate the displaying and entry of data; said control means comprising: means for storing data and a plurality of machine instructions; and means for executing said machine instructions including means for selectively energizing said display elements so as to present on said panel that key information and those of said user instructions which are associated with those of said discrete switches which are to be used in association with said machine instructions being executed so as to present to said user a variable user instruction format and a variable key format which are a function of said machine instructions being executed as said machine instructions are executed so as to facilitate the entry of data; and said device also including means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 250 words

A data handling device comprising: a panel; a plurality of discrete display elements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, user instructions and key information to a user of said device; said discrete display elements being small in size to enable said user instructions and key information to be presented over substantially all of said panel; a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated; said discrete display elements and said discrete switches being positioned in overlapping relationship relative to said panel to enable said switches to be actuated from said panel; control means for controlling the operation of said device including said discrete display elements and said discrete switches so as to facilitate the displaying and entry of data; said control means comprising: means for storing data and a plurality of machine instructions; and means for executing said machine instructions including means for selectively energizing said display elements so as to present on said panel that key information and those of said user instructions which are associated with those of said discrete switches which are to be used in association with said machine instructions being executed so as to present to said user a variable user instruction format and a variable key format which are a function of said machine instructions being executed as said machine instructions are executed so as to facilitate the entry of data; and said device also including means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device as claimed in claim 1 in which said storing means includes means for storing more than one financial account total associated with said user of said device.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device as claimed in claim 2 in which said storing means includes means for storing a plurality of application programs which can be selected to be run by said user of said device.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device as claimed in claim 3 in which said device is portable and is of a size enabling said device to be held in said user's hand.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 61 words

The device as claimed in claim 4 in which said storing means includes a personal identification number associated with said user of said device, and said control means also includes means for determining whether or not a user of said device is a valid user thereof in response to a personal identification number entered on said discrete switches by said user.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device as claimed in claim 5 in which said storing means also includes identification data which is used to identify said device as a valid device when said device is used in connection with said second data handling device, and in which said executing means includes a microprocessor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

The device as claimed in claim 6 in which said transferring means comprises: a sensor area for receiving data from said second data handling device; and a transmitting area for transmitting data from said data handling device to said second data handling device; said sensor and transmitting areas being light-operated.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device as claimed in claim 7 in which said sensor and transmitting areas are located on said panel.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device as claimed in claim 5 in which at least one of said application programs enables a said valid user of said device to access a selected said financial account total and display it via said display elements.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device as claimed in claim 9 in which said control means also includes means for indicating time and date data in association with at least one of said application programs so as to provide a chronological history of transactions effected on said device.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device as claimed in claim 10 which said control means includes a battery for supplying power to said device.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device as claimed in claim 1 in which said plurality of discrete switches is arranged in a matrix of switches which matrix extends over substantially all of said panel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device as claimed in claim 12 in which said panel has an outside surface and in which said matrix of switches is of the micromotion type and also is transparent; said matrix of switches being located between said discrete display elements and the outside surface of said panel.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device as claimed in claim 1 in which said discrete display elements are of the liquid crystal type.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device as claimed in claim 14 in which said device also includes a first substrate, a second substrate which are spaced apart in parallel relationship.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 134 words

A portable, intelligent, data handling device comprising: means for storing data and machine instructions; means for executing said machine instructions; a panel; means for displaying data to a user of said device; means for entering data on said device; said displaying means and said entering means being in overlapping relationship relative to said panel and extending over substantially all of said panel; said executing means including means for energizing said displaying means so as to present on said displaying means a variable key format and a variable user instruction format which are a function of said machine instructions being executed as said machine instructions are executed so as to facilitate the entry of data; and said device also including light coupling means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 134 words

A portable, intelligent, data handling device comprising: means for storing data and machine instructions; means for executing said machine instructions; a panel; means for displaying data to a user of said device; means for entering data on said device; said displaying means and said entering means being in overlapping relationship relative to said panel and extending over substantially all of said panel; said executing means including means for energizing said displaying means so as to present on said displaying means a variable key format and a variable user instruction format which are a function of said machine instructions being executed as said machine instructions are executed so as to facilitate the entry of data; and said device also including light coupling means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 47 words

The device as claimed in claim 16 in which said device is of a size substantially equal to that of a credit card, and in which said light coupling means includes a light receiving area and a light transmitting area located on one end of said panel.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-01-05	1990-07-07	1991-01-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-01-05	1994-07-07	1995-01-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-01-05	1998-07-07	1999-01-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Portable personal terminal for use in a system for handling transactions

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