Importance

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed wherein a single set of consumer items may be purchased by debiting any of a plurality of accounts stored on a smart card. According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a point-of-sale terminal includes a terminal processor, an item identification device, a terminal memory, and a smart card reader. The item identification device may include a conventional UPC bar code reader adapted to read UPC bar codes on consumer items. A cost table and a plurality of item tables are electronically stored in terminal memory. The cost table associates each item identifier (UPC bar code) with a corresponding cost. Each item table contains a list of item identifiers, and may optionally associate specific item identifiers with corresponding accounts. Each item table is uniquely identified using an item table identifier. The terminal memory, item identification device, and smart card reader are all coupled to the terminal processor. A smart card is equipped with smart card memory for storing a plurality of data files, and a smart card processor adapted to execute a software operating system for managing the plurality of data files. Each data file associates an account identifier for uniquely specifying a given account with an account balance and at least one item table identifier. Accounts are implemented, for example, by service providers such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, ATM networks, food stamp programs, other types of welfare programs, unemployment compensation, or the like.

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First Claim