Abstract: A method of procuring goods and/or services using a merchant server coupled to a computer network is disclosed. The network (100) comprises at least one smart card (120) having a memory device (122) programmed with access information corresponding to and associated with one more icons (124) formed on a surface of the smart card (120). The smart card (120) is locatable with a reader device (160) coupled to the network (100) to permit a reading of the memory device (122) to associate the access information with one of the icons (124) selected by a user depressing a touch panel (162) of the reader (160) device overlying the icons (124). The method transmits the access information from the reader (160) to the merchant server (200) in response to selection of the one icon (124). The method utilises the merchant server (200) to provide the goods and/or services for retrieval by the user according to the access information.

Abstract: A user programmable smart card interface system is disclosed having a smart card (10) and a reader/writer (1) which is able to read data from, and write data into, an electronic memory (19) carried by the card. A user terminal (100) having processing capacity can be used by a user to write customised data into the electronic memory (19). The user is then able to utilise his own data to control a data controlled equipment (120) as the user desires. A storage apparatus (1000) for smart cards and smart cards (501) with a tactile operating surface arc also disclosed.

Abstract: The method provides services using a smart card 10 (100 or 200). The services are provided by a third party other than the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) of the smart card. The method comprises the following steps. The method generates 1506 a plurality of data, where each of the data comprises information for activating a service associated with an electrical apparatus. The method also generates 1505 an indicium associated with each data. The method then programmes 1518 a smart card by loading the plurality of data into a memory of the smart card and applying each indicium 1516 to a surface of the smart card. The method also comprises loading the smart card into a smart card reader 1604 and selecting 1608 any one of the indicia. The method then activates the service by communicating 1614 the selected data to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A virtual image album system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12) having a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (24) formed on the substrate, the indicia (24) being representative of image data, and function data stored within the memory device (19) and associated with the indicia (24); and a reader (1) for the card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay said card (10) and through which the indicia (24) are visible, the reader (1) being adapted to output the specific function data associated with a user selected one of said indicia (24), thereby to reference the specific image data.

Abstract: A customizable user interface system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12), a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (70, 72) formed on said substrate (12) and user interpretable to relate to functions stored within said memory (19); and a reader device (1) for said card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive device (8) arranged to overlay said card (10), and through which said indicia (70, 72) are visible, characterized in that said touch sensitive device (8) comprises a membrane via which said indicia (70, 72), arbitrarily arranged on said substrate (12), may be selected.

Abstract: A method of procuring goods and/or services using a merchant server coupled to a computer network is disclosed. The network (100) comprises at least one smart card (120) having a memory device (122) programmed with access information corresponding to and associated with one more icons (124) formed on a surface of the smart card (120). The smart card (120) is locatable with a reader device (160) coupled to the network (100) to permit a reading of the memory device (122) to associate the access information with one of the icons (124) selected by a user depressing a touch panel (162) of the reader (160) device overlying the icons (124). The method transmits the access information from the reader (160) to the merchant server (200) in response to selection of the one icon (124). The method utilises the merchant server (200) to provide the goods and/or services for retrieval by the user according to the access information.

Abstract: A user programmable smart card interface system is disclosed having a smart card (10) and a reader/writer (1) which is able to read data from, and write data into, an electronic memory (19) carried by the card. A user terminal (100) having processing capacity can be used by a user to write customised data into the electronic memory (19). The user is then able to utilise his own data to control a data controlled equipment (120) as the user desires. A storage apparatus (1000) for smart cards and smart cards (501) with a tactile operating surface arc also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a read device (200) for reading a smartcard (100). The smartcard (100) has indicia (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and 122) formed thereon and a memory (102) having data stored therein wherein the card (100) is configured for insertion into the read device (200). The read device (200) includes a plurality of user operable switches (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224) positioned around a receptacle (202,244) into which the smartcard (100) is insertable for reading the data and relation information to associate the data with the switches (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224). The switches (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224) are associated with the indicia (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and 122) on the card (100) visually. A processor (234) is provided for reading the data corresponding to a switch (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 and 224) pressed by a user based on the relation information, and operates to sending the related data to an external device.

Abstract: A document creation system and method in which electronic information intended for reproduction and including at least one hyperlink is accessed. The accesses information is formatted into a contiguous localized document in a reproducible format into which is incorporated at least one functional link related to a hyperlink. The functional link is reproducible in a material form in the localized document for replicating a function associated with the hyperlinks. The localized document can then be displayed to reveal the function links which are manually traversable. Display is typically by printing and the functional links may include printed lines, cutouts in the paper or tabs applied to the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a read device (200) for reading a smartcard (100). The smartcard (100) has indicia (110-122) formed thereon and a memory (102) having data stored therein wherein the card (100) is configured for insertion into the read device (200). The read device (200) includes a plurality of user operable switches (210-224) positioned around a receptacle (202,244) into which the smartcard (100) is insertable for reading the data and relation information to associate the data with the switches (210-224). The switches (210-224) are associated with the indicia (110-122) on the card (100) visually. A processor (234) is provided for reading the data corresponding to a switch (210-224) pressed by a user based on the relation information, and operates to sending the related data to an external device. The smartcard (100) also has links (130-142) associated with each indicia and arranged to associate the indicia with at least one of the switches (210-224).

Abstract: A virtual image album system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12) having a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (24) formed on said substrate, said inidicia (24) being representative of image data, and function data stored within said memory device (19) and associated with said indicia (24); and a reader (1) for said card (10), said reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay said card (10) and through which said indicia (24) are visible, said reader (1) being adapted to output specific said function data associated with a user selected one of said indicia (24), thereby to reference specific said image data.

Abstract: A customisable user interface system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12), a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (70, 72) formed on said substrate (12) and user interpretable to relate to functions stored within said memory (19); and a reader device (1) for said card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive device (8) arranged to overlay said card (10), and through which said indicia (70, 72) are visible, characterised in that said touch sensitive device (8) comprises a membrane via which said indicia (70, 72), arbitrarily arranged on said substrate (12), may be selected.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus (10) for accessing a desired resource (13) on a network system (46) is disclosed. The network system (46) typically has a plurality of node sites of which at least one node site includes the desired resource which is uniquely identifiable by a resource identifier (66). The remote control apparatus includes input means (32) for inputting the resource identifier into the remote control apparatus, storage means (30) for storing the entered resource identifier; transmission means (21,23,35) and authentication means (28). The transmission means provides for wireless transmission of the resource identifier to an output arrangement (11) to enable the output arrangement to receive the resource identifier and thereby access the desired resource at the network system node identified by the resource identifier for reproduction of the desired resource by the output arrangement.