Abstract: Portable data media are known of which many have the uniform format of a standardized credit card and which are used in different ways for monetary transactions, preferably for the cash-less payment of services. Small portable terminals are also known which can be used together with such data media in order to display for example the contents of specific memories in the data medium or also to execute specific operations in the data medium. As a function of the application purpose of the data medium many diverse functions are desired. In order to avoid that for diverse functions, respectively for different data media with the most diverse applications, a special terminal must be used in each instance, it is suggested according to the invention to provide the terminal with further receiving means for a second data medium which comprises a control circuit cooperating with the terminal.

Abstract: A data medium in the form of a check card is known. Such check cards include a memory in which at least one amount of money is stored. If the user wishes to purchase or use a product or service, the amount of money is debited by the vendor. If the vendor intents to defraud the user, or simply makes an unintentional error, too much money may be debited from the data medium by a vendor terminal without the user noticing immediately that this has occurred. This type of fraud or error may also occur when using other data mediums, including credit cards, debit cards, special purpose cards such as telephone cards and transportation cards, and the like. In order to avoid such fraud or error, further memories are provided in the data medium according to the present invention, wherein one internal memory serves solely for the purpose of accepting amounts of money from outside. The amount needed for a purchase is input by a vendor terminal into a special input memory on the medium.

Abstract: Portable data medium with integrated memories is used for various purposes, for example for storing personal medical data or for storing amounts of money. The danger exists that if the data medium is lost or stolen, data or, respectively, amounts of money, are irretrievably lost to the legitimate user. In order to secure these data for the user, it is suggested with the invention to use a small terminal in addition to the data medium, with which the data medium can be connected and wherein subsequently data are copied from the data medium to the terminal. Such terminal is for example necessary in any event for specific types of data media for the operation and for displaying amounts of money. If the data medium is lost, in this case the data can be recovered from the terminal.

Abstract: Portable data medium with integrated memories is used for various purposes, for example for storing personal medical data or for storing amounts of money. The danger exists that if the data medium is lost or stolen, data or, respectively, amounts of money, are irretrievably lost to the legitimate user. In order to secure these data for the user, it is suggested with the invention to use a small terminal in addition to the data medium, with which the data medium can be connected and wherein subsequently data are copied from the data medium to the terminal. Such terminal is for example necessary in any event for specific types of data media for the operation and for displaying amounts of money. If the data medium is lost, in this case the data can be recovered from the terminal.

Abstract: A data medium in the form of a check card is known. Such check cards include a memory in which at least one amount of money is stored. If the user wishes to purchase or use a product or service, the amount of money is debited by the vendor. If the vendor intents to defraud the user, or simply makes an unintentional error, too much money may be debited from the data medium without the user noticing immediately that this has occurred. This type of fraud or error may also occur when using other data mediums, including credit cards, debit cards, special purpose cards such as telephone cards and transportation cards, and the like. In order to avoid such fraud or error, further memories are provided in the data medium according to the present invention, wherein one internal memory serves solely for the purpose of accepting amounts of money from outside.

Abstract: An apparatus for issuing a transaction card comprises a value receiving mechanism in the form of a card reader or a bank note acceptor or both. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the exchange rate for a plurality of currencies as compared to a local visitor's voucher which can be issued by the apparatus. A mechanism is also provided for storing a maximum transaction limit corresponding to a selected number of visitor's vouchers, which in turn corresponds to value of currency received. The transaction card is advantageously a smart card or chip card, which carries a program mechanism and central processing unit for manipulating the values which can be stored in the card.

Abstract: A card combination which is issued to a single cardholder can be reprogrammed by the cardholder for use by a sub-user to a desired extent with regard to value and time. The cardholder uses a master enabling code to access the programming mechanism. He/she assigns a sub-PIN for use by the sub-user and opens a subordinate account for the allowed credit value within card's total credit value. This subordinate account can be accessed using the sub-PIN. A limited term can be selected during which any transaction using the sub-PIN and using the subordinate account can be conducted. After the expiration of that term the sub-PIN is automatically erased and any balance in the suborinate account is re-credited to the main credit account of the card. Such a multi-user card can also be used in conjunction with a program for varying the value of units stored in the credit account.

Abstract: The incentive and feedback apparatus includes a plurality of business stations, each having an incentive module and a transaction mechanism for conducting different types of transactions involving different types of products. The incentive module stores a plurality of indices that encode a business type, a product type and a transaction type. An incentive coefficient is identified with each index. Incentive coefficients of greater than 1 (positive) indicate a combination of business, plus product, plus transaction type, which is favored by the economy, while a coefficient of less than 1 (negative) indicates a combination which is considered less favorable. A coefficient of 1 indicates a neutral combination which has been judged neither favorable nor unfavorable. Each transaction is conducted at its market price. For example, a product sold at its correct amount is transferred at this price.