Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
USING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for
commercial transactions using a communication device. More particularly, but
not
exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of
transactions
via a wireless or a landline communication device using a transaction card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electronic fund transfer over mobile phones is growing popular.
Many
systems include combining a point of sale (POS) device with a wireless
communication
device such as a cell phone.
[0003] These POS devices include a processor as well as an input device
to
receive and process information from a transaction card such as a debit card,
a credit
card, a cash card, a stored value card, an ATM card or combinations thereof
and the
like. The input device may include a bar code reader, a magnetic stripe
reader, an
integrated circuit reader, a smartcard reader, a fingerprint scanner, an
optical scanner, a
signature pad, an alphanumeric keypad (including a PIN pad), a proximity
detector, an
audio recording device, a camera or combinations thereof and the like. The
processor
of the POS device receives information from the transaction card and sends it
to a
remote computer via a communication network. This information can be
transmitted by
the processor via the wireless communication device. The wireless
communication
device includes a transceiver, a communication port or any other type of
similar
communication device capable of transmitting information received by the
portable
transaction device processor from the transaction card to the remote computer.
The
communication link between the remote computer and the wireless communication
device can be provided by the processor of the wireless communication device.
The
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portable transaction device can also include a Global Positioning System (GPS)
locator
chipset so the location of the POS can be tracked by the remote computer. The
remote
computer sends the information it has received to the processor of the
institution that
has issued the transaction card that is being used. The processor of this
institution
validates the requested transaction and sends this information to the
processor of the
portable transaction device via the remote computer and the wireless
communication
device which are linked to each other by way of the aforementioned
communication
network.
[0004] Known systems which combine POS devices with wireless
communication devices present certain drawbacks such as the inconvenient
length of
time to receive information regarding whether or not a given transaction has
been
accepted or refused. Other systems currently available include PayPal mobile,
Obopay,
Swipepay mobile. These solutions use either SMS or FPRS as the means of
communication. However, these communication methods often suffer from an
unbounded delay or become unavailable in locations where these services are
not
provided. Another drawback of existing systems is that they require
registration and
installation of software which are usually inconvenient for users to install.
More
importantly, these systems do not work for all mobile phones given the many
different
combinations of hardware and software platforms. Moreover, these solutions are
not
secure. They are prone to spyware or keylogger. Hence they are not compliant
with
payment card industry standards such as PC1 PED.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus
for
commercial transactions using a transaction card via a communication device in
audio
communication with a remote processor assembly.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a system for
commercial transactions using a transaction card via a communication device
method
for commercial transactions using a communication device.
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[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for
commercial transactions using a transaction card via a communication device
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus
for
wireless transactions.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for
wireless
transactions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for commercial transactions using a transaction card via
a
communication device in audio communication with a remote processor assembly,
the
apparatus comprising:
[0011] an input device for capturing information from the transaction
card;
[0012] a controller for converting the captured card information into
an audio
signal; and
[0013] a communication link for being connected to the communication
device for the transmission of audio signals therebetween;
[0014] wherein when the input device captures the card information, the
controller converts the card information into an audio signal that is
transmitted via the
communication link to the communication device for transmission thereof to the
remote
processor assembly for conversion of the audio signal into a digital signal
and for
validation of the card information.
[0015] In an embodiment, the input device is further adapted to receive
additional transactional information directly from a user; the controller is
adapted to
convert said additional information into an audio signal.
[0016] In an embodiment, the remote processor assembly converts and
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transmits the card validation information as an audio signal to the
communication device
which transmits this audio signal to the controller via the communication
link, the
controller being further adapted to convert this audio signal into a digital
signal.
[0017] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an output
device
for communicating the digital signal regarding the card validation information
to the user.
[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system for commercial transactions using a transaction card via a
communication device, the system comprising:
[0019] a transaction apparatus adapted to capture information from the
transaction card and to convert the captured card information into an audio
signal, the
transaction apparatus being linked to the communication device for the
transmission of
audio signals therebetween; and
[0020] a transaction server adapted to convert an audio signal into a
digital
signal, the transaction server being linked to the communication device for
the
transmission of audio signals therebetween and to a remote processor/issuer
adapted to
validate the transaction card information for the transmission of digital
signals
therebetween,
[0021] wherein when the transaction apparatus captures the card
information
it is converted into an audio signal and transmitted to the communication
device for
transmission to the transaction server to be converted to a digital signal and
transmitted
to the remote processor/issuer for validation.
[0022] In an embodiment, the transaction server is further adapted to
convert
a digital signal into an audio signal, wherein when the transaction server
receives the
digital signal of the validation information from the remote processor/issuer
it is
converted to an audio signal and sent to the communication device which
transmits this
audio signal to said transaction apparatus.
[0023] In an embodiment, the transaction apparatus is further adapted
to
convert an audio signal into a digital signal, wherein when the transaction
apparatus
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receives the audio signal of the validation information form the communication
device it
is converted to digital signal.
[0024] In an embodiment, the transaction apparatus comprises an output
device for communicating the digital signal regarding the card validation
information to a
user.
[0025] In an embodiment, the transaction apparatus is adapted to
receive
additional transactional information directly from a user and to convert this
additional
information into an audio signal.
[0026] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for commercial transactions using a transaction card via a
communication device, the method comprising:
[0027] capturing information from a transaction card;
[0028] converting the captured information to an audio signal;
[0029] transmitting the audio signal to a communication device;
[0030] transmitting the audio signal from the communication device to a
server adapted to convert audio signals;
[0031] converting the audio signal to a digital signal;
[0032] transmitting the audio signal to a processor for validating card
information; and
[0033] validating the digital signal of the card information.
[0034] In an embodiment, the method further comprises:
[0035] transmitting the digital signal of the validation information to
a server
adapted to convert digital signals;
[0036] converting the digital signal of the validation information to
an audio
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signal;
[0037] transmitting the audio signal of the validation information to
the
communication device.
[0038] In an embodiment, the method further comprises:
[0039] transmitting the audio signal of the validation information from
the
communication device to a controller adapted to convert audio signals;
[0040] converting the audio signal to a digital signal; and
[0041] communicating the validation information via a user interface.
[0042] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for commercial transactions using a transaction card via
audio
communication with a remote processor assembly, the apparatus comprising:
[0043] an input device for capturing information from the transaction
card;
[0044] a controller linked to said input device for converting the
captured
card information into an audio signal; and
[0045] a communication device linked to the controller in audio
communication with the remote processor assembly for the transmission of audio
signals
therebetween;
[0046] wherein when the input device captures the card information, the
controller converts the card information into an audio signal that is
transmitted via the
communication device to the remote processor assembly for conversion of the
audio
signal into a digital signal and for validation of the card information.
[0047] In an embodiment, the input device and controller device are
provided
in a single unit that is selectively linked to the communication device. In an
embodiment,
the controller and the communication device are provided in a single unit that
is
selectively linked to the input device. In an embodiment, the controller is
adapted to
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convert an audio signal into a digital signal.
[0048] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system for commercial transactions using a transaction card
comprising:
[0049] a transaction and communication assembly comprising an input
device for capturing information from the' transaction card, a controller
linked to the input
device for converting the captured card information into an audio signal, and
a
communication device linked to the controller;
[0050] a transaction server adapted to convert an audio signal into a
digital
signal, the transaction server being linked to the communication device for
the
transmission of audio signals therebetween and to a remote processor/issuer,
adapted
to validate the transaction card information, for the transmission of digital
signals
therebetween,
[0051] wherein when the input device captures the card information it
is
converted by the controller into an audio signal and transmitted via the
communication
device for transmission to the transaction server to be converted to a digital
signal and
transmitted to the remote processor/issuer for validation.
[0052] In an embodiment, the controller is adapted to convert an audio
signal
into a digital signal. In an embodiment, the transaction server is adapted to
convert a
digital signal into an audio signal for transmission to said communication
device.
[0053] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system for commercial transactions using a transaction card
comprising:
[0054] an input device for capturing information from the transaction
card;
[0055] a controller linked to the input device for converting the
captured card
information into an audio signal;
[0056] an interface display linked to the controller;
[0057] a communication device linked to the controller;
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[0058] a transaction server adapted to convert an audio signal into a
digital
signal, the transaction server being linked to the communication device for
the
transmission of audio signals therebetween and to a remote processor/issuer,
adapted
to validate the transaction card information, for the transmission of digital
signals
therebetween; and
[0059] a merchant server linked to the transaction server and providing
a
remote merchant interface to be accessed by a user for making a transaction,
[0060] wherein when a transaction is requested via the merchant
interface,
the merchant server receives this requests and sends it to the transaction
server which
converts it to an audio signal for transmission to the controller via the
communication
device, the controller converts the audio signal into an appropriate format
for being
displayed to the user via said interface display, wherein when the input
device captures
the card information it is converted by said controller into an audio signal
and transmitted
via the communication device for transmission to the transaction server to be
converted
to a digital signal and transmitted to the remote processor/issuer for
validation of the
transaction request.
[0061] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention
will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of non-
limiting illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with
reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] In the appended drawings, where like reference numerals denote
like
elements throughout and in where:
[0063] Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing a transaction network in
accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present
invention
including a transaction/communication assembly and a remote processor
assembly;
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[0064] Figure 2 is a front view of a transaction/communication assembly
in
accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0065] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the transaction
apparatus of
the transaction/communication assembly of Figure 2;
[0066] Figure 4 is a front view of the transaction apparatus of the
transaction/communication assembly of Figure 2, shown here capturing
information from
a transaction card;
[0067] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of the control system of a
transaction
apparatus in accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the
present
invention;
[0068] Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing a transaction network in
accordance with another non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present
invention
including a transaction/communication assembly, a remote processor assembly a
merchant server and an associated remote interface;
[0069] Figure 7 is a front view of a transaction/communication assembly
in
accordance with another non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
and
[0070] Figure 8 is flow diagram of the control system of the
communication
device of the transaction/communication assembly of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0071] Generally stated and in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, there is provided an apparatus, a system and a method for
transactions via
transaction cards using a communication device. The communication device
includes a
wireless communication device, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a landline
phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager computer, a Smart Phone', a
Blackberry,
an iPhoneTm, a netbook and the like. The transaction card includes a payment
card
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debit card, credit card, cash card, stored value card, ATM card and other
electronic
methods of payment as will be understood within the art. In an embodiment, the
apparatus, system and method disclosed herein are related to e-commerce or m-
commerce such as mobile payment and person-to-person money transfer. In an
embodiment, the apparatus, system and method integrate mobile and internet
payment.
A variety of online transactions can be used within the context of the present
invention.
[0072] In an embodiment, a transaction apparatus such as a portable
point of
sale (POS) device for example is linked to the communication device thereby
providing a
transaction device assembly. The transaction apparatus includes an input
device to
capture information from the transaction card, a controller to process this
information. In
an embodiment, the transaction apparatus includes an output for providing
feedback to
the user.
[0073] In an embodiment, the input device includes a bar code reader, a
magnetic stripe reader, an integrated circuit reader, a smartcard reader, a
fingerprint
scanner, an optical scanner, a signature pad, an alphanumeric keypad
(including a PIN
pad), a proximity detector, an audio recording device, a camera or
combinations thereof
and the like. The input device is used to capture information including and
not limited to
card data (e.g. track data, ICC data) from the transaction card and other
transaction data
(transaction type/transaction amount) or identification data such as a
Personal
Identification Number (PIN), a Card Verification Code (CVC)) from the user.
[0074] The captured information is processed and converted by the
controller
to an audio format that can be suitable for transmission over an analog voice
channel for
example. The controller includes a secure microprocessor unit (MPU) or
microcontroller
unit (MCU).
[0075] In an embodiment, the output device includes a user interface
such as
a display screen for example an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LED (Light
emitting
diode) screen, a buzzer, a speaker and other mechanisms.
[0076] Transaction data communication between the transaction apparatus
and the communication device can be conducted by using any analog channel such
as a
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hands-free interface, Blue tooth, or other communication link such as USB,
Wifi and
other technologies. For
example, the processed card data information can be
transmitted to the communication device via the analog hands-free jack in a
mobile
phone. Communication via this analog channel can be one-way or two-way
depending
on the implementation and usage.
[0077] The
communication device receives the information and sends it to a
remote transaction processing server computer via a communication network.
This
information can be transmitted via the communication device which includes a
transceiver, a communication port or any other type of similar communication
device
capable of transmitting information captured by the transaction apparatus. The
transaction processing server computer sends the information it has received
to a
remote processor of the institution that has issued the transaction card that
is being used
(the remote processor/issuer). The remote processor/issuer validates the
requested
transaction and either approves or rejects the transaction. The transaction
result is then
returned to the transaction processing server computer which in turn returns
the result to
the communication device. Optionally, the communication device may send the
result to
the transaction apparatus. Depending on the implementation and usage, the
transaction
result can be displayed on both or either one of the communication device or
the
transaction device.
[0078] With
reference to the appended drawings, illustrative embodiments of
the present invention will be described herein so as exemplify the invention
and by no
means limit the scope thereof.
[0079] Figure 1
shows a transaction network 10 including a transaction
apparatus 12 and communication device 14 which together form a transaction and
communication assembly 16. The transaction apparatus 12 captures transaction
data
and, in some implementations, provides a user with feedback. Also shown is a
transaction server 18 and a transaction processor/issuer 20 which together
form a
remote processor assembly 22. A request for a transaction occurs at the
transaction
apparatus 12 via a transaction card 24 (see Figure 4). The transaction
apparatus 12
captures information from the transaction card and converts this information
into an
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audio signal. The audio signal is transmitted to the communication device 1 4
for
transmission to the transaction server 18 via a communication network 26 (e.g.
Internet,
GSM/GPRS network). At the transaction server 18, the audio signal is converted
into a
digital signal and transmitted to the remote processor/issuer 20 via a
communication or
payment network 28 (e.g. Internet, VisaNet, BankNet). The remote
processor/issuer 20
validates this request by accepting or denying the request and sends this
validation
information to the transaction server 18 which then converts this digital
signal into an
audio signal and transmits it back to the assembly 16 providing the seller and
buyer with
a confirmation or a rejection message. As such, the communication device 12
acts as a
receiver of the transaction data in analog audio format and also as a conduit
to transmit
the transaction data to a transaction server 18 via the communication network
26.
[0080] With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, an example of a transaction
and
communication assembly 16 is shown including a portable transaction apparatus
12 in
the form of a point of sale (POS) device linked to a communication device in
the form of
mobile phone 14 via a communication link in the form of a cable 30. The cable
30
includes a pair of opposite connector ends 32 for being mounted to the phone
jack 33
(see Figure 3) of the POS device 12 and the jack 34 of the mobile phone 20.
[0081] The POS device 12 includes an output device such as a user
interface in the form of a display screen 36 which can be an LCD screen for
example.
The display screen 36 displays transaction information and instructions as
well as
providing other feedback to the user. The POS device 12 also includes an input
device
38 such as card reader slot 39 for swiping or inserting the transaction card
24 and
capturing information therefrom. The POS device 12 can also include an
additional input
device 40 in the form of a control pad including a PIN pad 42, and other
control buttons
44 allowing the user to enter transaction information which is also captured
by the POS
device 12 and converted into an audio signal for transmission to the
communication
device 14.
[0082] The transaction card 24 includes a magnetic stripe 46 as well as
an
IC chip 48.
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[0083] With reference to Figure 5, the transaction device 12 includes a
controller 50 in the form of a microcontroller unit (MCU). The input device 38
can be in
the form of an analog signal reader 52 such as a magnetic stripe reader and/or
a digital
signal reader 54 such as an Integrated Circuit (IC) or Smart Card or EMV
reader. In an
embodiment, the transaction apparatus 12 is powered by a power source 56
optionally
includes a printer 58 such as a thermal printer for example. As mentioned
above, in an
embodiment, the input system of the transaction apparatus 12 includes the
input device
38 as well as an additional input device in the form of a control pad 40.
[0084] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the general operation of the
invention will now be described in accordance with a non-limiting illustrative
embodiment
thereof.
[0085] In order to execute a commercial transaction, the user swipes
the
card 24 through the slot 39; the analog information on the magnetic stripe 46
is captured
by the magnetic stripe reader 52 and transferred to the MCU 50. In another
embodiment, the digital information from the IC chip 48 is captured by the
digital signal
reader 54 and is transferred to the MCU 50. Optionally, a PIN number may also
be
required to be entered via the PIN pad 42 and the data is encrypted by the MCU
50.
[0086] The transaction data whether originally received in analog
format or in
encrypted digital format is converted by the MCU 50 into an analog audio
signal suitable
for transmission over the analog communication link between the transaction
device and
the communication device. In this example, this audio signal is then
transmitted to the
mobile phone via cable 30.
[0087] Transaction data is then transmitted to the transaction server
18 for
processing. The transaction server 18 decrypts the signal and converts it into
a digital
signal. This data is then transmitted to the processor/issuer 20 for
validation. The
processor/issuer 20 receives the transaction data and then validates the
information in
order to accept or reject the requested transaction. Once the transaction has
been
accepted or rejected, the processor/issuer 20 produces a message confirming
the
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foregoing and transmits this information back to the transaction server 18 in
digital
format.
[0088] The
transaction server 18, having received the message from the
processor/issuer 20, converts it into an audio signal and transmits this
information via
the communication network 26 back to the mobile phone 14.
[0089] The mobile
phone 14 transmits the message back to the portable
transaction device 18 via cable 30. The MCU 50 decodes the analog audio signal
and
converts it back into appropriate data format for processing and display via
screen 36.
[0090] In another
embodiment, the binary digital signal, whether originally
received in analog format or in encrypted digital format is compressed by the
MCU 50
and converted into a hexadecimal signal. This hexadecimal signal is then
further
compressed by the MCU 50 and converted into a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF)
audio signal. This DTMF signal is then transferred by the MCU 50 to the mobile
phone
14 and transmitted to the transaction server 18.
[0091] The
transaction server 18 decompresses the DTMF signal and
converts into a hexadecimal signal. This
hexadecimal signal is then further
decompressed by the transaction server 18 and converted into a binary digital
signal.
The transaction server 18 then transmits this binary digital signal to the
remote
processor/issuer 20. The remote processor/issuer 20 receives the binary
digital signal
and then validates the information in order to accept or reject the requested
transaction.
Once the transaction has been accepted or rejected, the processor/issuer 20
produces a
binary digital signal confirming the foregoing and transmits this information
to the
transaction server 18. The binary digital signal is compressed into a
hexadecimal signal
and then recompressed into a DTMF audio signal which is then transmitted to
the mobile
phone 14. The mobile phone 14 then transmits this DTMF audio signal to the MCU
50
which decompresses the DTMF audio signal and converts it into a hexadecimal
signal.
Finally this hexadecimal signal is then further decompressed and converted
into an
appropriate data format to be displayed via screen 36.
[0092] Therefore,
in an embodiment, there is provided a payment system
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consisting of a transaction apparatus 12 and a transaction server 18. The
transaction
apparatus 12 allows for card data and PIN capture via the input device 38 and
the
control pad 40. The controller 50 controls the operation flow of the
transaction
apparatus; it provides the encryption required for transaction and other
channel
encryptions as well as memory. Audio communication between the transaction
apparatus 12 and the transaction server 18 is provided by the communication
device 14.
Operation of the transaction apparatus is displayed on the user interface (the
display
screen) 36. The transaction server 18 is used to decrypt the data sent by the
communication device 14 where the data is translated and forwarded to the
payment
network 28 including a processor/issuer 20 for further processing.
[0093] For example, in transactions such as in taxi or limousine
services, the
driver swipes the credit card 24 of the passenger in the magnetic stripe
reader 52 of the
POS device 12 which converts this analog data into an audio signal and is
connected to
the driver's mobile phone 14 via the hands-free jack 34 for transmitting this
data. The
mobile phone 14 sends the audio signal to the remote transaction server
computer 18
via the communication network 26 between the transaction server computer 18
and the
mobile phone 14. The transaction server computer 18 communicates with the
remote
processor/issuer 20 of the financial institution that issued the passenger's
credit card 24
and validates the requested transaction by accepting or refusing it. The
foregoing
information is then sent back to the transaction server computer 18 which
converts it to
an audio signal that is sent to the POS device 12 via the mobile phone 14. The
display
screen 36 informs the driver and the passenger if the transaction was accepted
or not.
[0094] In another example, the apparatus, system and method provide for
online purchasing or money transferring. Hence, the transaction apparatus 12
is used
for online purchase or money transfer.
[0095] Figure 6 shows a transaction network 11 similar to the
transaction
network 10 but including a merchant server 60 in communication via a
communication
network 62 with the transaction serve 18 and with a merchant interface 66
provided by a
remote device such as a computer via a communication network 66 (e.g. the
internet).
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[0096] Therefore, there is provided an online system for commercial
transactions using a transaction card 24 via a communication device 14. The
system is
exemplified by the transaction network 11 and includes a transaction apparatus
12
linked to the communication device 14, a merchant server 60 providing a remote
interface 66 to be accessed by the user and a transaction server 18 linked to
both the
communication device 14 and the merchant server 60. The merchant 66 interface
allows for requesting a transaction. The merchant server 60 sends this request
to the
transaction server 18 which converts this information into an audio signal and
sends this
audio signal to the communication device 14 since it is linked therewith for
the
transmission of audio signals therebetween. The audio signal from the
communication
device 14 is sent to the transaction apparatus 12 which converts it to an
appropriate
format so as to be displayed through the display screen 36. The user then
follows the
displayed instructions and makes a payment as previously described.
[0097] In one example, the user accesses the merchant interface 66 such
as
a website to purchase. During checkout, the user selects the present method as
payment and enters their mobile phone number in the merchant website 66. The
merchant website 66 sends the user phone number along with the purchase
details to
the transaction server 18 via the merchant server 60 and communication
networks 66
and 662.. The transaction server 18 receives the request from the merchant and
calls
the phone number provided by the user. The mobile phone 14 picks up the call,
the
transaction information including the payment amount, merchant name and the
like is
sent from the transaction server 18 to the mobile phone 14 in audio form such
as
through a global system for mobile (GSM) network 26 in DTMF waveform for
example.
The user connects the transaction apparatus 12 to their mobile phone 14 and
proceeds
with the payment instructions displayed on the display screen 36. The user may
have
also connected their mobile phone 14 to the transaction apparatus 12 prior to
entering
their phone number in the merchant website 64. The transaction apparatus 12
receives
the audio signal through the hands-free output interface or jack 34. The
controller 50
inside the transaction apparatus 12 decodes the transaction information and
the
transaction data are displayed to the user on the screen 36. Following the
instructions
on the screen 36, the user swipes their transaction card 24 in the slot 39 of
the magnetic
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card reader 50.
[0098] The data is then sent to the mobile phone 14 in analog audio
form.
Thus, the mobile phone 14 receives the analog audio data as a normal audio
input. The
mobile phone 14 then encodes the audio input using for example the normal GSM
voice
codec and sends this audio to the calling transaction server 18. The
transaction server
18 receives the data in analog audio form, decodes the data to recover the
transaction
card data and the payment details. The transaction data is reformatted and
sent to the
remote processor/issuer 20 which either approves or rejects the transaction.
The
transaction result is sent back to the transaction server 18. The transaction
server 18
transforms the transaction data to an audio signal such as DTMF waveform and
sends it
to the mobile phone 14 and in turn to the transaction apparatus 12. The
transaction
apparatus 12 decodes the data and displays the transaction result on to the
screen 36 to
inform the user. A receipt is sent to the email of the user as a record and
the online
purchase is completed. In the above embodiment, it should be noted hat the
mobile
phone 14 does not require installation of any software and it acts only as a
conduit of
analog audio for data communication between the transaction a and the
transaction
server.
[0099] With reference to Figure 7 and 8, there is shown another
embodiment
of the transaction and communication assembly, denoted here as 16'.
[00100] The assembly 16' includes a communication device 14 (a mobile
phone) linked via a cable 30 to a transaction apparatus 12'. The transaction
apparatus
12' comprises one-way device without a screen or control pad and as such, only
includes an input device 38' in the form of a slot 39' for capturing
information from a
transaction card 24 and sending this information without conversion directly
to the
mobile phone 14 via cable 30. The output device of the assembly 16' is
provided by the
mobile phone 14 in the form of its display screen 36'. The additional input
device of the
assembly 16' is also provided by the mobile phone 14 in the form of a control
pad 40' or
keypad. Furthermore, the controller 51 of the mobile phone 14 is the
controller of the
assembly 16'. As such, in this embodiment, installation of a software
application
controller 51 is necessary. This software application is used to convert
between audio
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and digital signal and to receive and transmit and audio data to and from the
hands-free
interface 41.
[00101] For example, to send money, the sender plugs the transaction
apparatus 12' into the mobile phone 14 and selects via the keypad 40' a "send
money"
function on the software application displayed via screen 36'. The user enters
the
recipient phone number or email address and transaction amount. Following
instructions
on the mobile phone application via screen 36', the user swipes the
transaction card 24
against the card reader slot 39' on the transaction apparatus 12'. The analog
signal from
the magnetic card 24 is sent via the hands-free interface 41 where the
software
application of the controller 51 converts the received signal back to binary
data for
example as stored on the magnetic card 24. Optionally, the user has to enter
their PIN
for authentication as in the case of a debit card transaction through the
software
application.
[00102] As explained above with respect to the transaction network 10 of
Figure 1, after the user has confirmed the transaction, a call is made to the
transaction
server 18. The transaction card data, along with the transaction data, are
encoded and
sent to the transaction server 18 in the form of general-packet radio-service
(GPRS)
data. The transaction server 18 decodes the transaction data, reformats and
sends this
data to the processor/issuer 20 for approval. This validation information data
is then
returned to the transaction server 18. The validation data is sent back from
the
transaction server 18 to the mobile phone 14 in audio format and converted by
the
software application in the controller 51 for displayed to the user via screen
36. For
recording purpose, a receipt is sent as an email and/or SMS to the sender.
Another
message is sent to the recipient either as an email or SMS to inform the
recipient of the
transaction and provides the recipient with the transaction number and
authentication
number for accessing the transaction.
[00103] In another example, in order to receive money, the recipient
plugs the
transaction apparatus 12' into the mobile phone 14 and selects the "receive
money"
function on the software application. The user enters the transaction number
and
authentication number. Following instructions on the mobile phone 14
application, the
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user swipes the card 24 against slot 39' of transaction apparatus 12'. The
analog
signal from the magnetic card 24 is sent via the hands free interface 41 where
the
software application of the controller 51 converts the received signal back to
binary
data as stored on the magnetic card 24. Optionally, the user has to enter his
PIN
for authentication as in the case of a debit card transaction through the
software
application.
[00104] After the user has confirmed the transaction, a call is made to the
transaction server 18. The transaction card data, along with the transaction
data,
are encoded and sent to the transaction server 18 as GPRS data. The
transaction
server 18 decodes the transaction data, reformats and sends them to the
processor/issuer for approval. The transaction result is then sent back from
the
transaction server 18 to the mobile phone 14 where the data is displayed to
the
user. For recording purpose, a receipt is sent as an email and/or SMS to the
sender. Another message is sent to the recipient. either as an email or SMS to
inform the recipient of the transaction result.
[00105] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the
accompanying
drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be
understood
that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description
and not limitation. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the
embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest
interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
8185997.1
