Abstract: The invention is directed to providing an improved security system for stations issuing IC cards. In accordance with the improved system, two independent codes transmitted from remote locations must match codes retained at the issuing station and on the IC card prior to the system allowing the issuing station to be activated. In particular, a manufacturer's identification code is entered into the IC card prior to the cards leaving the control of the manufacturer. The card issuer provides a secured area wherein a issuer's identification code is maintained. Upon issuance of an IC card, both the manufacturer's and issuer's codes must be transmitted to the station and verified by the corresponding codes maintained at the station and onboard the memory of the IC card before the station will allow an account number to be written into the memory of the IC card. Preferably, the system includes a transmission path from the station to the location where the manufacturer's codes are maintained.

Abstract: An automatic toll collector has a portion installed at an entrance toll gate and a portion installed at an exit toll gate of a toll road. Each portion has a decoder which recognizes information on the license plate of a vehicle entering the toll gate, and a read and write mechanism which reads and writes into an IC card information necessary for the collection of tolls. The driver of the vehicle inserts the IC card into one of the read and write mechanisms at each toll gate and carries the IC card with him as he travels along the toll road. At the exit toll gate, a comparing and toll calculating mechanism calculates the toll based on the information stored on the IC card. A toll withdrawal mechanism at the exit gate automatically withdraws the toll from a bank account which is indicated by the information stored in the IC card.

Abstract: A system for maintaining the secrecy of information stored in a multiple issuer IC card, comprising an IC card which has its memory divided into a plurality of discrete portions, each of which may be accessed only by means of a predetermined different identification code, and a terminal which is used to write an identification code into a portion of the card memory only when it is supplied with an input code which corresponds with an issuer code which was previously stored in that portion of the memory.