Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is a system which enables a user to carry one credit card instead of many. The information pertaining to each credit card account, such as the name of the account, the number of the account, and its expiration date, are encoded on the card, by magnetic means, with a semiconductor memory device, or using any other means of recording data. The owner's name is also encoded on the card, but the card does not bear any visually-perceptible indication of the name of the owner, or of the names of the credit card accounts represented on the card. The invention also includes a microprocessor-based system which accepts the card, determines whether the credit card account selected for use by the owner of the card is valid, and prints a credit card invoice. In an alternative embodiment, only the name and identification number of the owner are encoded on the card, the information for the various credit card accounts being stored in a remotely-located computer. The single card can thus be used in place of a large number of different credit cards.

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First Claim