Importance

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Abstract

A method and device for determining and securely transmitting an account code of a financial card over a communications link in a communications network to a remote location which also allows a telephone to be used concurrently to perform voice communications over the same communications link with the remote location. The device generally comprises a control circuit for controlling the operation of the device, a transmitter for transmitting data to the remote location, a receiver for receiving information from the remote location, and a power supply for supplying power to the device. The device also comprises a reader circuit for determining the account code of the financial card. In the preferred embodiment, the device also comprises an entering circuit, such as a keypad, for entering a secret PIN code portion of the account code. Also, a method is disclosed for securely transmitting the secret PIN code portion and/or a detectable code portion of the account code over the communications circuit, preferably by a unique encryption process. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, the power supply connects to the telephone line and supplies power to the device solely by the power received from the telephone line, without interfering with the operation of the telephone line.

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First Claim