Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A secure, smart credit card system having the same basic dimensions of a standard credit card. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body having situated thereon a main central processing unit (CPU). A portion of the main body has formed therein a space or slot for accepting a key unit, which is configured to engage the main body in the formed space or slot, the joined pieces maintaining the same basic dimensions of a standard credit card. The key unit may include an intelligent micro-memory module and power supply, and, upon physical engagement to the main body, may be programmed to initiate a 'key' protocol to open or lock access to the functions of the main body, communicating with the main CPU upon physical insertion into the main body, thereby initiating or preventing functioning of electronically programed features of the main CPU. The key unit may further include a ROM memory for encoding data and/or a security code in memory, which code may be communicated to the main CPU, upon sliding insertion of the display into the display slot formed in the main body. Additionally, an LCD on the key unit may display the only indication of the credit card number of the card, so that without said LCD display 'key' and ROM data and security codes properly inserted into the main body, the body of the card (and the key unit) each individually is merely a blank with no value to a thief.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim