US Patent 9679286 Methods and apparatus for enabling secure network-based transactions

An apparatus includes a transaction card bearing data and having an output interface capable of transmitting the data, a card reader having an input interface enabled to accept the data from the output interface of the transaction card, conversion circuitry converting the card data to an analog modulated signal, and an output pin from the card reader adapted to engage in a microphone port of a computerized appliance, the output pin providing the analog modulated signal to the port, and thence to the computerized appliance.