Abstract: A system for enabling a service user to perform one or more transactions with the same or different service providers, while providing a high level of security for the performance of the transactions both with respect to the service provider and the service user, using an intelligent device. The system includes an intelligent device including a microcomputer having an input/output communication port, and microcomputer store including nonvolatile memory and random access memory. An interface device is associated with a memory for storing data and a coupler via which communications may be effected with the intelligent device. The store is arranged such that one part thereof has an operating system which can be run for performing basic functions of the device, the operating system being programmed in native code of the microcomputer.

Abstract: A host and user transaction system comprising a self contained portable intelligent device (13) for use by a service user, and an interface device (11) for use by a service provider. The intelligent device (13) is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) card incorporating a single chip microcomputer having an input/output communication port (15), nonvolatile memory (17, 19) and random access memory (21). The interface device (11) has its own memory for storing data and a coupler (14) to connect to the IC card for communicating therewith. The nonvolatile memory (17, 19) has in one part an operating system mask programmed in native code for performing basic functions and in a second part data files with different access restriction levels. The random access memory (21) is available for use by the operating system and stores data received from or ready for transmission via the communication port (15).

Abstract: A host and user transaction system comprising a self contained portable intelligent device (13) for use by a service user, and an interface device (11) for use by a service provider. The intelligent device (13) is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) card incorporating a single chip microcomputer having an input/output communication port (15), nonvolatile memory (17, 19) and random access memory (21). The interface device (11) has its own memory for storing data and a coupler (14) to connect to the IC card for communicating therewith. The nonvolatile memory (17, 19) has in one part an operating system mask programmed in native code for performing basic functions and in a second part data files with different access restriction levels. The random access memory (21) is available for use by the operating system and stores data received from or ready for transmission via the communication port (15).

Abstract: A host and user transaction system comprising a self contained portable intelligent device (13) for use by a service user, and an interface device (11) for use by a service provider. The intelligent device (13) is in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) card incorporating a single chip microcomputer having an input/output communication port (15), nonvolatile memory (17, 19) and random access memory (21). The interface device (11) has its own memory for storing data and a coupler (14) to connect to the IC card for communicating therewith. The nonvolatile memory (17, 19) has in one part an operating system mask programmed in native code for performing basic functions and in a second part data files with different access restriction levels. The random access memory (21) is available for use by the operating system and stores data received from or ready for transmission via the communication port (15).