APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INITIATING A TELEPHONE TRANSACTION USING A SCANNER

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus initiates a transaction and includes a capture device for capturing transaction data from marks contained on an object. The marks have a code corresponding to transaction data for initiating a transaction. The capture device includes a scanner, operable by a user, for reading marks contained on the object. A controller interprets the marks and retrieves the transaction data embedded in the marks. The capture device originates a telephone call and transfers at least a portion of the transaction data to a desired destination for initiating a transaction.