GB2467738A

GB2467738A - Portable electronic bank account tracking device with dedicated credit and debit keys

Info

Publication number: GB2467738A
Application number: GB0902218A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brenda Gilligan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-11
Filing date: 2009-02-11
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Also published as: GB0902218D0

Abstract

A portable electronic bank account tracking device 10 comprises a numerical keypad 16 and screen 14 displaying indicia relating to one or more accounts. The keypad 16 includes a dedicated account key 20 for accessing at least one bank account balance permanently stored in the memory. A dedicated pay-in or credit key 22 and pay-out or debit key 24, respectively enable the addition and subtraction of an amount keyed in using the numerical keypad. The screen 14 may display bank account number and account balance. The device 10 may include a cancel entry key 26, and may be connected via USB to a computer for data transfer. The device 10 may be solar powered, include a wrap-around cover 28 and pocket 36, and have large keys 16. An account balance may accessed via the account key 20 and numeric keypad 16, and may be PIN number protected. Transactions may be viewed.

Description

Title: Bank Account Tracking Device The present invention relates to a bank account tracking device.

Backgound to the Invention Individuals and businesses often have one or more bank accounts for different purposes. If money is spent or withdrawn from an account or paid into an account, for example by cheque or electronic bank transfer, the account balance obtainable from the bank may be misleading because there is a time delay before these transactions appear in the balance. It is desirable to know the exact status of an account, for budgeting purposes.

This is particularly so for pensioners, who may manage their affairs on a relatively small budget. Although it is possible to request balance information daily from a bank, this may involve having access to a computer or telephone. The process can also he time consuming. The balance may also not include transactions made over the most recent days.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dedicated bank account tracking device which reduces or substantially obviates the aforementioned problems.

Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bank account tracking device comprising a housing, a screen, a processor, a memory and a numerical keypad, the screen being adapted to display indicia relating to one or more accounts and the keypad also including a designated dedicated account key for accessing at least one bank account balance permanently storable in the memory, a dedicated pay-in key and a pay-out key, the pay-in and pay-out keys enabling the addition and subtraction of a numerical value keyed in using the numerical keypad.

The bank account tracking device is advantageous because the real balance of a person's account can be accessed at all times. The device can pernrnnently store the balances of multiple accounts and is extremely easy to use, because the keys are clearly designated and are dedicated to the function of the device.

Preferably the screen is adapted to display two lines of indicia, the first line for displaying a bank account number and the second line for displaying the numerical balance of the associated bank account.

This is advantageous, because it is clear at a glance, which account balance is being displayed.

Preferably a cover member is attached to the rear of the housing and is adapted to fold over the face of the housing and to attach to a side housing by means of a magnetic catch.

A pocket may be disposed on the inside of the cover member. This is useful for temporarily storing receipts and the like.

Preferably a cancel key is provided for cancelling a previous key action.

Preferably a USB port is disposed in the housing for connecting the bank account tracking device to a computer.

Information may be uploaded or downloaded from the tracking device. Software may be provided with the tracking device to enable a statement of transactions over a specific period of time to be displayed and printed.

At least one solar cell may be provided for powering the bank account tracking device, but preferably the device is battery powered.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of tracking a bank account using a bank account tracker in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in which an account balance is accessed by pressing the account key and then the number of the account on the numerical keypad.

Preferably an addition can be made to the account balance by inputting the amount of the addition on the numerical keypad and then pressing the pay-in key.

Preferably a subtraction can be made to the account balance by inputting the amount of the subtraction on the numerical keypad and then pressing the pay-out key.

The account balance may be protected by a pin number, which is input when prompted on the screen following input of the account number. The password protection is advantageous, particularly if third parties may have physical access to the device, but they are not the holder of any accounts being tracked.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be earned into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a bank account tracking device of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiment(s)

Referring to Figure 1 a bank account tracking device is indicated generally at 10. The bank account tracking device 10 includes a housing 12, a screen 14, a processor, a memory and a numerical keypad 16. The screen 14 is of sufficient size to show two lines of text, namely a first line indicating an account number, and the second line indicating a bank account balance or an amount to be deposited or withdrawn from the bank account balance. An on/off switch 18 is disposed at the top right hand corner of the housing 12, as viewed.

The numerical keypad 16 includes keys for the numbers 1 to 9, a "00" key, a "0" key and a decimal point key. Only four other keys are provided, which include a dedicated account key 20 designated "acc" for accessing a bank account balance stored in the memory of the device 10; a deposit or pay-in key 22 designated "in"; a withdrawal or pay-out key 24 designated "out" and a cancel key 26 for clearing the last transaction or keystroke. A USB port is optionally provided in the side of the housing (not shown) for connecting the device 10 to a computer.

A wrap-around cover member 28 is attached to the rear of the housing 12 and a flap of the cover extends to one side of the housing 12 (to the right hand side, as viewed) in an open position. In a closed position the flap 30 folds over and covers the face of the housing 12 and to attaches to the far side 32 of the housing 12 by means of a magnet catch disposed on an end portion 34 of the flap 30. A pocket 36 is disposed on the inside of the flap 30, which can be used for temporarily storing receipts and the like. The device 10 is battery powered, but may be provided with solar cells or a build in rechargeable battery as desired.

In use, a bank account balance can be accessed by pressing the account key 20 and then inputting the number of the account on the numerical keypad 16. An addition can be made to the account balance by inputting the amount of the addition on the numerical keypad 16 and then pressing the pay-in key 22. Similarly, a subtraction or withdrawal can be made from the account balance by inputting the amount of the withdrawal on the numerical keypad 16 and then pressing the pay-out key 24.

Optionally, the account balance may he protected by a pin number, which is input when prompted on the screen 14 following input of the account number. The password protection is advantageous, particularly if third parties may have physical access to the device, hut they are not the holder of any accounts being tracked.

Also, the bank account tracking device may optionally be connected a computer programmed with compatible software by means of a USB cable. The computer may be programmed to download and display a statement of all transactions to date, or over a particular date range. Also, there may be provided means for transferring data to the device 10 for updating it.

The bank account tracking device 10, in its preferred embodiment, is intended to be as simplistic as possible. The keypad keys are of a sufficient size to be pressed easily with minimal dexterity and the screen 14 displays in large characters, typically 10- 15mm in height. The device 10 is of a reasonable size, approximately 120mm by 100mm and is easily held in the hand. This makes the device 10 particularly suitable for the elderly, who simply wish to keep account of their finances without having to keep contacting the bank. The account balance can be updated with ease, each time a transaction is made and the balance can be viewed at any time. The device has the significant advantage that the memory is permanent and the keys are dedicated to the purpose of maintaining account details.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bank account tracking device comprising a housing, a screen, a processor, a memory and a numerical keypad, the screen being adapted to display indicia relating to one or more accounts and the keypad also including a designated dedicated account key for accessing at least one bank account balance permanently storable in the memory, a dedicated pay-in key and a pay-out key, the pay-in and pay-out keys enabling the addition and subtraction of a numerical value keyed in using the numerical keypad.
2. A bank account tracking device as claimed in claim 1, in which the screen is adapted to display two lines of indicia, the first line for displaying a bank account number and the second line for displaying the numerical balance of the associated bank account.
3. A bank account tracking device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a cover member is attached to the rear of the housing and is adapted to fold over the face of the housing and to attach to a side housing by means of a magnetic catch.
4. A hank account tracking device as claimed in claim 3, in which a pocket is disposed on the inside of the cover member.
5. A bank account tracking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a cancel key is provided for cancelling a previous key action.
6. A bank account tracking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a USB port is disposed in the housing for connecting the bank account tracking device to a computer.
7. A bank account tracking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one solar cell is provided for powering the hank account tracking device.
8. A method of tracking a bank account using a bank account tracker as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an account balance is accessed by pressing the account key and then the number of the account on the numerical keypad.
9. A method of tracking a bank account using a bank account tracker as claimed in claim 8, in which an addition can be made to the account balance by inputting the amount of the addition on the numerical keypad and then pressing the pay-in key.
10. A method of tracking a bank account using a bank account tracker as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, in which a subtraction can be made to the account balance by inputting the amount of the subtraction on the numerical keypad and then pressing the pay-out key.
11. A method of tracking a bank account using a bank account tracker as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which the account balance is protected by a pin number, which must be input when prompted on the screen following input of the account number.
12. A bank account tracking device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.