# US 9,436,855 B2 · Card reader for mobile device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,855 B2 - Document ID: US9436855B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/320,533 - Filed: 2014-06-30 - Published: 2014-10-23 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-15 - Assignees: Paypal, Inc. - Applicants: Paypal, Inc. - Inventors: David A. Marcus; Hill Ferguson; Max E. Metral; Egan Schulz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436855B2 ## CPC - G06K 13/063: Aligning cards - G06K 7/082: {using inductive or magnetic sensors} - G06K 7/087: {flux-sensitive, e.g. magnetic, detectors (G06K7/10336 takes precedence)} - G06K 7/089: {hand-held scanners} - G06K 13/06: Guiding cards; Checking correct operation of card-conveying mechanisms - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract A card reader for use with a mobile device includes a foot and/or a housing for a jack on the bottom of the card reader prevents the card reader from accidently turning off the mobile device during use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A card reader comprising: a body having a slot configured to receive a card; a protrusion extending from a first bottom portion of the body, wherein the protrusion extends at least a height of an on/off button of a mobile device, abuts against a surface on which the on/off button extends from on the mobile device when the card reader is inserted into the mobile device, and does not overlap the on/off button when the card reader is inserted into the mobile device; and a jack extending from a second bottom portion of the body, the jack being located a lateral distance away from the protrusion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, further comprising a housing extending from the second bottom portion of the body, wherein the jack extends through the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The card reader of claim 2, wherein a height of the housing is greater than a height of the protrusion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the card is a magnetic strip card. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, further comprising a read head located within the slot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the body is a triangular shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the body is a square shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the body is a rectangular shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein a width of the body is less than or equal to a width of the mobile device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The card reader of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a smart phone. ### Claim 11 A card reader for a mobile device, comprising: a body having a slot configured to receive a card; a protrusion extending from a first bottom portion of the body, wherein the protrusion extends at least a height of an on/off button of a mobile device, abuts against a surface on which the on/off button extends from on the mobile device when the card reader is inserted into the mobile device, and does not overlap the on/off button when the card reader is inserted into the mobile device; a jack extending from a second bottom portion of the body, the jack being located a lateral distance away from the protrusion; and a housing extending from the second bottom portion of the body, wherein the jack extends through the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein the card is a magnetic strip card. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein the body is a triangular shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein the body is a square shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein the body is a rectangular shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein a height of the housing is greater than a height of the protrusion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein a width of the body is less than or equal to a width of the mobile device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The card reader of claim 11, wherein the mobile device is a smart phone. ### Claim 19 A method of operating a card reader with a mobile device, the method comprising: inserting the card reader into the mobile device using a jack on the card reader, wherein the jack extends from a first bottom portion of the card reader; contacting a first portion of a side surface of the mobile device with a protrusion on the card reader before the card reader contacts an on/off button on a second portion of the side surface of the mobile device, wherein the protrusion extends from a second bottom portion of the card reader and the jack is located a lateral distance away from the protrusion; and swiping a card through the card reader. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising contacting a third portion of the side surface of the mobile device with a housing extending through the jack.