Abstract: A memory card which does not utilize a semiconductor chip to store information. A plurality of discrete electrical components, such as fuses, is provided in the card which has the same shape and the same external contact tabs as a standard electronic memory card with a semiconductor chip. Information is written in the memory card by selectively transforming an initial electrical conduction state of the fuses into another, irreversible electrical conduction state which can be read by suitable apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making a card which has a body having two main faces and at least one graphics element. A mold is provided having a mold cavity which defines the outside shape of the card body. A support element bearing a graphics element is placed in the mold cavity, and it is retained in place so that it remains substantially parallel to the walls of the mold cavity which define the main faces of the card body. A plastic material is then injected into the mold in such a manner that the plastic material occupies all of the space delimited in the mold cavity and not occupied by the support element. The part obtained in this way is then unmolded.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing smart cards, each card comprising a body, electrical contact tabs, and an integrated circuit placed in the card body and electrically connected to said tabs, said integrated circuit including storage means for storing monetary amounts unit-by-unit as the card is used, said apparatus comprising:processor means capable of processing data stored in a card and suitable for feeding electrical power to said integrated circuit;electrical connections suitable, when a card is in a determined position suitable for enabling data to be read from and/or written to said storage means, for inter-connecting said processor means and said integrated circuit in a card via said contact tabs; andmarker means under the control of said processor means for marking the body of a card with marks representative of the quantity of charge units in the card which have already been used up.