Multi-user card system

A multi-user card combination, comprising:

• cardholder memory means for storing a cardholder personal enabling code;
• programmable sub-user memory means for storing a sub-user personal enabling code;
• program means for programming said programmable sub-user memory means with at least one selected sub-user personal enabling code;
• authenticity checking means for authenticating a personal enabling code as corresponding to the stored cardholder personal enabling code for permitting access to said program means for programming said sub-user memory means, said authenticity checking means also authenticating a personal enabling code as corresponding to a sub-user personal enabling code stored in said sub-user memory means;
• said programmable sub-user memory means also storing a selected term which is programmable into said sub-user memory means through said program means, said authenticity checking means authenticating said sub-user enabling code only during said term.

A self-contained multi-user card for storing and processing data, the card having a microprocessor and memory means operatively associated with said microprocessor, the memory means having zones to which access by devices that are external to said card is prevented and in which reading and writing by means that are internal to the card are permitted, a first zone of the memory means storing a personal cardholder enabling code, the multi-user card comprising:

• at least one second zone in the memory means of the card which is internally programmable for storing at least one sub-user personal enabling code;
• internal program means in the microprocessor of the card for internally programming at least one sub-user personal enabling code into said second zone of the memory means;
• internal authenticity checking means in the microprocessor of the card for internally authenticating a personal enabling code as corresponding to the stored cardholder enabling code, for permitting access to said internal program means for internally programming said second zone;
• and
• said authenticity checking means also functioning for internally authenticating a personal enabling code as corresponding to a sub-user personal enabling code stored in said second zone.

A card combination, comprising:

• a card carrying a microprocessor having programmable memory means for containing data that is usable for conducting a transaction using the card, and program means for changing data in the programmable memory means, said card carrying communication means operatively connected to said program means for communication with the exterior of said card;
• and
• a card envelope for receiving said card, said card envelope carrying at least a power supply, display means, input means and communication means operatively interconnected with said power supply, said input means and said display means, and connectable with said communication means of said card in a selected relative position between said card and said envelope for inputting data through said input means and said connected communication means to said program means for storage in said programmable memory means, and for displaying data from said programmable memory means through said communication means to said display means;
• said envelope defining a space sufficiently large for completely enclosing said transaction card for storage and transport in a dormant state, said contact position between said transaction card and said card envelope comprising a position with said card partly removed from said envelope space.