Abstract: A credit card-sized card having a rotating magnetic memory therein is disclosed. The card is provided using a laminated structure in which a stainless steel, plastic sandwich structure is employed. An opening in the plastic layer provides space for the rotating magnetic disk. A mechanism is provided to open a shutter when the card is inserted into a reader. Data is written to or read from the disk by positioning heads from an external system into openings in the external surface of the card. When the card is not engaged in a reader, the shutter covers the openings.

Abstract: A portable electronic system configured for a secure transaction includes a card having a width, length, and thickness, wherein a ratio of length to thickness is at least 5. The card includes a storage medium to store data and an integrated circuit device (“IC”) including security information. The security information stored in the IC is used to authenticate an access request to the storage medium.