APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS USING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

An apparatus for commercial transactions using a transaction card via a communication device in audio communication with a remote processor assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises an input device for capturing information from the transaction card, a controller for converting the captured card information into an audio signal. The controller is linked to the communication device. The apparatus may also be part of an assembly wherein this controller is part of the communication device. The remote processor assembly includes a transaction server linked to a remote processor/issuer for validating the transaction card data. A system including this apparatus, the communication device and the transaction server is also provided. Methods therefore are also disclosed. The input device captures the card information that is converted to an audio signal by the controller and transmitted to the transaction server via the communication device for being converted to an appropriate signal to be transmitted to the remote processor/issuer for validation thereof. The validation information is sent back to the apparatus providing feedback to the user. The transaction server translates the signal received by the remote processor/issuer into an audio signal and sends it to the controller via the communication device for conversion to an appropriate format.