Patent ID: 7118032

Claim:
A portable transaction terminal comprising: a processor; an imager configured to produce digital image data using a source of continuous light during production of the digital image data, the imager being operably linked to the processor: an image recognition module configured to produce or extract data for a transaction from the digital image data using the processor; and a display operably linked to the processor, the display being configured to display data or an image corresponding to the digital image data, wherein the portable transaction terminal is configured to (i) automatically enter the data produced or extracted for the transaction, (ii) communicate the data for the transaction for approval and processing and (iii) receive an approval or a denial response, and wherein the digital image data is obtained from a credit card and the portable transaction terminal (i) automatically enters the data produced or extracted for the transaction, (ii) automatically determines a location of the portable transaction terminal at the time of the transaction, (iii) displays the digital image data, (iv) communicates the data for the transaction for approval and processing, and (v) receives an approval or a denial of payment by a card payment service provider.