Patent attributes
Aspects of the technology provide a multi-purpose card reader configured for use with a mobile electronic device (e.g., a mobile host), such as a smart phone or tablet computer. In certain aspects, the card reader is integrated into a case for enclosing the mobile electronic device and configured for reading financial information from a payment card to facilitate a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant. To facilitate operability of the card reader, the case can include multiple card slots, such as a swipe-slot (e.g., for receiving a magnetic stripe payment card), and a dip-slot (e.g., for use in receiving an IC type payment card).