Importance

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Abstract

An IC card is disclosed having expanded on line utilization. The card includes a standard fixed microprocessor embedded in the plastic with exposed terminals for electrical interconnection with a standard card reader. The card, however, is modified by providing parallel data and control line bus conductors on an intermediate laminate in the card in electrical contact with the fixed microprocessor embedded in the card. A plurality of open receptacles then are provided in the surface of the card and extend to the bus conductors, exposing the bus conductors in the bottom of the receptacles. Removable information processing units embedded in tokens or modules may be placed into and removed from the receptacles and include contacts on the bottoms thereof for making electrical interconnections with the bus conductors. A slideable cover is used to hold the removable units in place after they have been inserted into the receptacles. The bus conductors electrically interconnect the removable units with the fixed standard microprocessor for access by the reader, thereby providing multiple on line use capability of the IC card. Customization and change of the systems with which the card may be used is effected by the choice of the removable units placed in the receptacles.

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First Claim