Apparatus and method for commercial transactions using a communication device

Abstract

An apparatus for effecting a commercial transaction with a remote transaction server using a payment device via a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes a transaction device coupled with the communication device for capturing information stored on said payment device and a controller for converting the captured information into encrypted information and for transmitting the encrypted information to the communication device. The communication device delivers the encrypted information to the remote transaction server for processing the commercial transaction.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a reader configured to capture information from a transaction card; and   a controller comprising memory and a microprocessor, wherein the controller is configured to convert the captured card information into an analog audio signal and communicate the analog audio signal over a communication link to an audio jack of a mobile phone.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 control operation flow of the portable apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein to communicate the analog audio signal over the communication link, the controller is further configured to:
 communicate the captured card information over an elongated structure that is directly connected to the audio jack of the mobile phone.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the elongated structure has at an end a connector suitable for connection to the audio jack of the mobile phone; and   wherein the elongated structure includes at least a portion that is visible between the mobile phone and the portable apparatus when the connector is inserted into the audio jack of the mobile phone.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein to communicate the analog audio signal over the communication link, the controller is further configured to:
 communicate the analog audio signal over a voice channel communication link.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein to communicate the analog audio signal over the communication link, the controller is further configured to:
 communicate the analog audio signal over a wireless channel.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein to communicate the analog audio signal over the wireless channel, the controller is further configured to:
 communicate the analog audio signal over a Bluetooth channel.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein to convert the captured card information, the controller is further configured to:
 encrypt the captured card information.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein to communicate the analog audio signal over the communication link, the controller is further configured to:
 communicate an encrypted form of the captured card information.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the transaction card is a smart card. 
     
     
         27 . A portable apparatus comprising:
 a smart credit card reader configured to capture information from a smart card;   a controller comprising memory and a microprocessor for controlling the operation flow of the portable apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to:
 encrypt the information captured from the smart card, 
 convert the encrypted information captured from the smart card into an encrypted analog audio signal, and 
 output the encrypted analog audio signal in a form suitable for an audio jack of a mobile phone; and 
   an elongated structure configured to extend directly to a mobile phone, wherein the elongated structure receives the encrypted analog audio signal from the controller and communicates the analog audio signal directly to the audio jack of the mobile phone.   
     
     
         28 . A system comprising:
 a portable apparatus including:
 a smart credit card reader configured to capture information from a smart card, 
 a controller having memory and a microprocessor for controlling the operation flow of the portable apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to encrypt the information captured from the smart card, convert the encrypted information captured from the smart card into an encrypted analog audio signal, and output the encrypted analog audio signal in a form suitable for an audio jack of a mobile phone, and 
 an elongated structure configured to extend directly to a mobile phone, wherein the elongated structure receives the encrypted analog audio signal from the controller and communicates the analog audio signal directly to the audio jack of the mobile phone; and 
   a secure payment server configured to decrypt data sent by the mobile phone, translate the data, and forward the translated data to a payment network for further processing.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the secure payment server is further configured to:
 send transaction results to the mobile phone.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein to send transaction results to the mobile phone, the secure payment server sends transaction results over the internet to the mobile phone.