Claims
- 1. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card; selection means mounted on the card allowing a user to select a card feature; and a light emitting polymer (LEP) display.
- 2. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means allow a user to select a card feature in a single step.
- 3. The card of claim 1, wherein the card comprises a magnetic strip card or a smart card.
- 4. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises a programmable magnetic strip.
- 5. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using a magnetic reader, wherein each magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card.
- 6. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprise a plurality of chips positioned on the card in a manner to allow activation of each chip separately using a smart card reader, and wherein each chip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card.
- 7. The card of claim 1, wherein the LEP display comprises a touch-sensitive LEP display.
- 8. A selectable multi-purpose card having a plurality of features that allow the card to function as multiple cards comprising:
a light emitting polymer (LEP) display; memory means for storing feature information that activates the various card features; input means operatively mounted on the card for allowing a user to select a card feature in a single step; processing means for retrieving feature information that activates the selected card feature and outputting a drive signal representing the feature information; and information retaining means, responsive to the drive signal, for preserving the feature information in a form that is readable by a reader device.
- 9. The card of claim 8, wherein the LEP display after a selection of a card feature is made displays information denoting the selected feature.
- 10. The card of claim 8, wherein the information retaining means comprises an inductor, and the processing means comprises a central processor, an associated memory and magnetic strip control circuit.
- 11. A method for conducting an electronic transaction comprising:
providing a selectable multi-purpose card having a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card allowing the card to function as multiple cards; providing a card reader comprising means for allowing a user to select a card feature; establishing an electronic communication between the card and the card reader; and selecting a card feature.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the card reader comprises a display for displaying information relating to the card features.
- 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying the selected card feature on a display mounted on the card reader.
- 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of establishing an electronic communication between the card, and a service institution handling at least one account corresponding to the selected feature.
- 15. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means is adapted to store information relating to a debit account and a credit account.
- 16. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises a keypad.
- 17. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises a plurality of buttons, each button being designated to activate a particular card feature.
- 18. The card of claim 8, wherein the LEP display comprises a touch sensitive LEP display.
- 19. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored on a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each strip separately using a magnetic reader, wherein each magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card, and wherein the plurality of magnetic strips are positioned such that a particular depth setting on the magnetic reader determines which magnetic strip is read by the magnetic reader.
- 20. The card of claim 19, wherein a first magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a debit account, and a second magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a credit account.
- 21. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored on a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each strip separately using a magnetic reader, wherein each magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card, and wherein the plurality of magnetic strips are positioned such that a particular orientation of the card relative to the magnetic reader determines which magnetic strip is read by the magnetic reader.
- 22. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored on a plurality of chips mounted on the card, wherein each chip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card; and selection means mounted on the card for allowing a user to select a card feature.
- 23. The card of claim 22, wherein the selection means comprises a plurality of contact interfaces corresponding to the plurality of chips.
- 24. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card; and selection means allowing a user to select a card feature, wherein the selection means comprises a touch-sensitive display which allows the user to select a card feature by touching the touch-sensitive display.
- 25. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:
a plurality of card features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card; and at least one pair of contacts which are exposed on at least one surface of the card, the contacts allowing a user of the card to select a feature by bridging the exposed contacts with the user's finger.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/730,399, filed Dec. 6, 2000.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09730399 |
Dec 2000 |
US |
Child |
10436466 |
May 2003 |
US |