Square, Inc.

Block, Inc.

Joseph Laucks

Mani Razaghi

Jeremy Martin

Jeremy Wade

A card reader includes a digital connector such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug or an Apple® Lightning® plug. The digital connector includes a corresponding connector interface, which provides voltage to at least a card reader interface and an integrated circuit (IC) of the card reader. The card reader interface outputs an analog transaction information signal upon reading the card. The IC generates a digital version of the analog transaction information signal, encrypts the digital version, converts that into an analog audio signal. The audio signal can then be sent to the connector interface, which converts it into a digital signal such as a USB or Apple® Lightning® signal that is sent by the digital connector to a mobile device. Alternately, the audio signal can be sent to a microcontroller that converts the audio signal to a digital format such as USB, and then to the digital connector.

Transaction object reader with shielding

Transaction object reader with interposer

Card reader device

A card reader includes a digital connector such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug or an Apple&#xae; Lightning&#xae; plug. The digital connector includes a corresponding connector interface, which provides voltage to at least a card reader interface and an integrated circuit (IC) of the card reader. The card reader interface outputs an analog transaction information signal upon reading the card. The IC generates a digital version of the analog transaction information signal, encrypts the digital version, converts that into an analog audio signal. The audio signal can then be sent to the connector interface, which converts it into a digital signal such as a USB or Apple&#xae; Lightning&#xae; signal that is sent by the digital connector to a mobile device. Alternately, the audio signal can be sent to a microcontroller that converts the audio signal to a digital format such as USB, and then to the digital connector.

Transaction object reader with analog and digital signal interface

A merchant device has a USB interface that includes an ID pin and a voltage pin. When the merchant device receives an oscillating signal at the ID pin, it connects the voltage pin to a power supply of the merchant device. The merchant device also includes a download switch coupled to the ID pin. When it is desired to reprogram a device connected by the USB interface, the download switch provides a programming voltage to the ID pin.

Multi-mode USB interface

Transaction object reader with digital signal input/output and internal audio-based communication

A merchant terminal has two USB interfaces. Each USB interface includes a voltage pin and an ID pin. The merchant terminal also has two power supply switches, each of which selectively couples a respective one of the voltage pins to a merchant terminal power supply. Each power supply switch is responsive to either a power supply voltage received at an associated voltage pin or an oscillating signal received at an associated ID pin.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Joseph Laucks