Abstract:
A multi-use transaction card, which is particularly useful for holding and transferring value between gaming machines, includes both a machine-readable area and a thermally printable area. The machine readable area links the card to account information in a host processor. The thermally printable area provides a visible indication of the status of the account. The account balance of the card can be updated with use, and the thermally printable area can be reprinted with updated information. A succession of updated entries can be thermally printed on the cards. All but the most recent entry are overprinted with a cross-out or other pattern as an indication that the prior entries are no longer current.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/444,515, which application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    Magnetic striped cards, “smart cards”, and other encoded instruments contain account or other control information that can be accessed in connection with their use. The invention envisions applying a thermally printable layer to the instruments as a visible medium for recording a sequence of transaction results. A processing system for the instruments, which is particularly applicable to gaming systems, relates the control information to the transactions and prints updated results on the thermally printable layer.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    The gaming industry is generally moving toward cashless systems to simplify the maintenance, security, and operation of their machines. While most gaming machines still accept cash including various forms of coins and currency, the preferred payout is now in the form of scrip or other redeemable instruments. The scrip is printed by the gaming machines with a code (e.g., barcode) containing a control number that is associated by a host computer with a redeemable value. In addition, the scrip is printed on its face with the redeemable value referenced by the control number.  
           [0006]    The scrip, which is payable to its bearer, can be used just once to redeem into cash or to transfer its value as a gaming machine credit (i.e., positive balance in a temporary account) for further play. New scrip is printed by the gaming machines each time a player cashes out with a new control number and a new value.  
           [0007]    Multiple use media is expected to simplify credit exchanges with gaming machines and to reduce both maintenance and media costs. For example, electronically encoded cards, such as “smart cards” and magnetically striped cards have been proposed for replacing other forms of gaming machine payouts. The electronically encoded cards can include electronically encoded account numbers or other reference data that can be associated with a sequence of transactions. For example, the account numbers can reference an updateable account in the host computer. A positive balance on account can be updated each time a player cashes out.  
           [0008]    The electronically encoded cards can be inserted into gaming machines for transferring credit similar to the scrip. However, when the player cashes out, the same card that was originally inserted into the gaming machine can be returned to the player to transfer the credit to the same or a different gaming machine or to redeem the credit for cash. The electronically encoded cards, which are payable to their bearers like scrip, can be reused by referencing different values each time they are returned to the player.  
           [0009]    While the electronic account transactions with the host computer can enhance security, the lack of a visible record of the current account balance on the cards can be a source of confusion or controversy to their users. Once disjoined from a gaming machine or other connection to the host computer, the redeemable account balance carried by the cards is inaccessible. The account balance associated with each card can change many times, and the time between transactions can vary widely. With reliance solely on player (user) memory to corroborate the transfers, misunderstandings can be expected to result. Some players may be reluctant to accept payouts in the form of electronically encoded cards having no visible value or other confirmation that the cards are even electronically readable.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    My invention, which is particularly applicable to gaming machine transactions, includes a new transaction card processing system and a new transaction card made from a reusable media that can be encoded with account numbers or other reference data and can also be printed in a permanent form to provide visible records of account balances or other information. For example, the encoded account numbers can be read by a gaming machine and associated in a host computer with a positive balance. Upon cash out, a new positive balance can be associated with the account number in the host computer and can be visibly printed on the reusable media. The printing is preferably permanent, and each new balance is preferably printed in a succession of available spaces on the reusable media. Players are expected to more readily accept the new transaction cards as the equivalent of cash payouts, because the cash equivalent is visibly printed on the cards.  
           [0011]    A reusable medium in accordance with my invention can be encoded with account information that is machine-readable for associating a succession of positive account balances with the reusable medium. A printable space on a surface of the reusable medium provides for recording the succession of account balances or similar entries in a visible form. The individual account balances are preferably printed in a permanent form that can be subsequently crossed out or entirely blocked out but cannot be erased. Each new account balance occupies a different portion of the printable space on the surface of the reusable medium.  
           [0012]    The reusable medium can be made from a variety of materials including plastic, film, and card stocks in single-ply or multiple-ply forms. The account information can be encoded electronically, such as on a magnetic stripe or in a non-volatile memory, or can be encoded in other machine accessible ways. Optical encoding, for example, can be used to record information in symbol formats that can be detected by optical readers or scanners. The printable space on the surface of the reusable medium is preferably formed by a thermosensitive-imaging layer that can be imaged by direct thermal printers. Heat patterns produced by the thermal printers cause localized areas of the thermosensitive-imaging layer to undergo permanent color change for producing correspondingly patterned images.  
           [0013]    The capabilities of the reusable media for encoding account reference information and for printing account balances or similar entries can be adapted for use as transaction cards conveying positive balances to and from gaming machines. The transaction cards can be inserted into gaming machines that are modified to read the encoded account information and to write individual balances in the printable space on the cards. For example, a reader, such as a magnetic reading head, a “smart-card” receiver, or an optical scanner, can access the encoded account reference information. An account balance can be associated with the account reference information by the gaming machine or by a host computer in communication with the gaming machine. As a part of a cash out sequence from the gaming machine, the account balance can be updated with the host computer and printed on the surface of the transaction card in a next available space.  
           [0014]    Physical reference information can be extracted from the transaction card for locating the next available space for printing. For example, a sensor can be adapted for detecting occupied print spaces and for indexing the transaction card to the next available space for printing a new account balance. Alternatively, the number of balances already printed on the transaction card can be stored in the host computer or on the transaction card, and this information, in conjunction with information referencing the relative location of the transaction card in the printer, can be used to position the transaction card for printing in the next available space.  
           [0015]    Along with the printing of new account balances, the immediately preceding account balances can be struck through or otherwise overprinted to avoid confusion with the new account balances. The overprinted account balances can remain visible to reveal an account history or can be completely blocked out to conceal the account history. When all of the available print spaces have been filled; the gaming machine can dispense a replacement transaction card printed with the new balance.  
           [0016]    Preferably, the filled transaction cards are retained within the gaming machines, and replacement cards are dispensed from the gaming machines with the same or a new account number. Each replacement transaction card can be pre-encoded with a unique account number, or the gaming machine can be further modified to encode account numbers on the transaction cards. For security purposes, the replacement cards are preferably encoded with new account numbers so that no two cards contain the same account number. However, the old account numbers from the filled cards can be linked with the new account numbers of the replacement transaction cards to record continuous strings of transactions by individual players.  
           [0017]    In addition to gaming machines, the transaction cards can be dispensed from kiosks or customer service centers. The kiosks and customer service centers can also be arranged to redeem the transaction cards into cash or cash equivalents. The transaction cards can be stored within machines as individual cards in stacks or as a continuous sequence of interconnected cards, such as a fan-folded stack or wound bandoleer.  
           [0018]    An exemplary method for cashing out gaming machines includes reporting a gaming machine credit as an account balance to a host computer. The account balance is associated with an account reference number in the host computer. The account reference number, which can be composed of a full range of alphanumeric characters or other interpretable symbols, is encoded on a transaction card. In addition, the account balance is printed on the transaction card in one of a plurality of spaces intended for printing a series of account balances. The encoded and printed transaction card is dispensed from the gaming machine.  
           [0019]    The same transaction card can be used to transfer a cash equivalent to the same or a different gaming machine. As a part of an exemplary startup sequence, the transaction card is inserted into the gaming machine, and the encoded account reference number is read by the gaming machine and shared with the host computer. The account balance associated with the account reference number is communicated by the host computer to the gaming machine and is made available for play as a game credit. The available credit is updated in the gaming machine as the result of each play but is preferably communicated to the host computer when the player has elected to cash out.  
           [0020]    The same transaction card can also be used multiple times to withdraw cash equivalents from the same or a different gaming machine. As a part of an exemplary cash out sequence, the transaction card is fed into a printer that senses or otherwise determines a next available space for printing on the transaction card and prints the new account balance on the transaction card. The prior printed account balance can be struck through or otherwise overprinted as desired. The transaction card can retain the same account reference number, or a new reference number can be assigned to the card by the host computer and can be encoded into the transaction card by the gaming machine. The transaction card is preferably dispensed through the same slot that it was earlier inserted into the gaming machine.  
           [0021]    In addition to writing current account balances on the transaction cards, printers within the gaming machines or other machines that dispense the transaction cards can print other information. For example, the current account balances can be printed along with the time or date and type of transaction such as deposit, update, or transfer. Timely promotional information can be printed on the transaction cards to reward patrons or to advertise other games or activities. A duplicate or cross-referenced account reference number can also be printed on the transaction cards as a failsafe measure in the event that the encoded account reference number becomes unreadable.  
           [0022]    The new printable transaction cards can also contain expanded or additional mediums including memory for recording additional information related to the transactions. For example, the transaction cards can record or provide reference to information for customer loyalty programs independently of the changes in account balance. Independent control codes can be associated with the different types of transactions to preserve the anonymity of players in connection with any financial accounting of their gaming activities. Thus, the transaction cards can provide the anonymity of cash transactions while still allowing the bearers to link their identity with other aspects of their play. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is, a front view of an exemplary transaction card in the form of a magnetic stripe card having a prescribed area for indexed thermal printing.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a back view of the exemplary transaction card of FIG. 1 having a magnetic stripe and a barcode for encoding account reference numbers.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative exemplary transaction card in the form of a “smart card” having a prescribed area oriented along a length of the card for indexed thermal printing.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative exemplary transaction card in the form of an optically encoded card having a prescribed area oriented along a length of the card for indexed thermal printing.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a transaction card processing system within a gaming machine.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    An electronically encodeable transaction card  10  is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. On a front surface  12  of the transaction card  10  shown in FIG. 1, a graphics area  16  is printed with a logo, graphics, or other information  18  for such purposes as identifying the issuer of the transaction card  10  or its intended venue for use. A thermally printable area  20  also appears on the face  12  of the transaction card  10  for recording a succession of balances  22 . All but the most recent balance  24  have been struck through but are still readable.  
         [0029]    On a back surface  14  of the transaction card  10  shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic stripe  28  extends across a length of the transaction card  10  for encoding an account reference number or other reference data in a machine readable form. Although referred to as an “account reference number”, a full range of alphanumeric characters and other symbols can be used in addition to or as a substitute for numbers to reference the account. A barcode  30  appearing on the back face  14  provides duplicate, supplemental, or independent reference information, also in a machine-readable form. A graphics area  32  on the remainder of the card  10  is printed with other visible information  34 , such as instructions, promotions, or terms of use.  
         [0030]    The graphic areas  16  and  32  appearing on the front and back surfaces  12  and  14  are preferably preprinted in a batch process, such as in-line printing. The barcode  30  can also be preprinted for such purposes as identifying the transaction cards independently of the reference data subsequently encoded in the magnetic stripe  28 . A linkage between the information encoded magnetically by the magnetic stripe  28  and the information encoded optically by the barcode  30  can be established preceding or during use for purposes of security, auditing, or backing up the reference data on the card. For example, the magnetic stripe  28  could be initially encoded to match the information encoded by the barcode  30 , so that when the magnetic stripe  28  is first read, the reference information encoded in the barcode  30  is linked to subsequent transactions of the card  10 . If the magnetic stripe  28  were later rendered unreadable, balance information could still be traced through the barcode  30 .  
         [0031]    The transaction card  10  is preferably constructed from a reusable medium such as plastic, film, or card stock in a single-ply or multiple-ply form. Coatings can be applied to the front and back surfaces  12  and  14  for such purposes as enhancing printing, appearance, and durability.  
         [0032]    The thermally printable area  20  on the front surface  12  of the transaction card  10  is preferably formed by a coating of a thermosensitive imaging material that can be imaged by the controlled application of heat. Conventional thermosensitive coatings are based on leuco dyes containing a color former, a developer, and a sensitizer. Under heat applied by a thermal printer, the color former reacts with the color developer to form the final image. Typical thermal printers have heat-generating print heads containing linear arrays of tiny resistive heating elements that are arranged perpendicular to a feed direction through the printer. Each thermal print head element locally heats an area of the thermosensitive coating directly under the print element for changing the color of the locally heated area. Such direct thermal printing is reliable, inexpensive, and virtually maintenance free because the printer is not required to administer ink.  
         [0033]    The thermosensitive imaging material of the thermally printable area  20  can be imaged in a single color or in multiple colors, which are generally developed by the application of different amounts of heat. For example, the balances  22  and  24  can be thermally printed in a first color (e.g., black) and struck through in a second color (e.g., red). Coatings can be applied over or under the coating of thermosensitive imaging material for such purposes as resting UV light exposure, chemicals, and abrasion.  
         [0034]    An alternative electronically encoded transaction card  40  shown in FIG. 3 is built upon a “smart card” having an embedded memory chip  42  for electronically encoding an account reference number or other reference data in a machine readable form. Additional “smart card” capabilities including storing value, securing access, and managing loyalty programs can be used for enhancing gaming transactions. These and other capabilities can also be used for different purposes, such as conducting e-commerce and managing personal finances, which can be integrated with or maintained separately from the gaming transactions. For example, current account balances can be securely stored within the memory chip  42  for duplicating or even replacing functions of a host computer.  
         [0035]    Similar to the transaction card  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2, the transaction card  40  of FIG. 3 includes a graphics area  46  printed with a logo, graphics, or other information  48  and a thermally printable area  50  for recording a succession of balances  52 . All but the most recent balance  54  has been blocked out entirely from view. In contrast to the transaction card  10 , the thermally printable area  50  is oriented along a  12  length of the transaction card  40  to provide room for more balance entries  52 . The lengthwise orientation of the thermally printable area  50  is not specific to “smart cards” and could be equally well applied to the magnetically striped transaction card  10  or other forms of transaction cards providing alternative means for encoding account reference information.  
         [0036]    A control code  56  is also printed within the thermally printable area  50 . The control code  56 , which is shown as being drawn from a numerical character set, could also be encoded in other optically readable forms, such as a single- or multi-dimensional barcode. The control code  56  provides an alternative means for accessing balance information stored elsewhere. Although a single control code  56  is depicted, a different control code could be printed with each new balance. Such additional control codes would preferably be encoded in a more compact form.  
         [0037]    Another layout for a transaction card is shown in FIG. 4. A transaction card  60  has a preprinted graphics area  62  and a thermally printable area  64 . The preprinted graphics area  62  contains a logo  66  and other information. The thermally printable area  64  is printed with a card number  68 , the print date  70 , a barcode control code  72  along with a succession of balance entries  74 . Each of the balance entries  74  includes a time stamp  76 , a transaction type code  78  (e.g., new, transfer, deposit, update), and a dollar balance  80 . All but the last balance  82  is struck through.  
         [0038]    The card number  68  and the control code  72  provide optically encoded reference information for identifying the transaction card  60  and for associating the transaction card  60  with an account that holds a current balance. The reference information provided by the card number  68  and the control code  72  can duplicate each other or be unique. Preferably, one or both of the card number  68  and the barcode control code  72  are assigned by a host computer and are thermally printed when the transaction card  60  is first issued. However, each of the balance entries  74  could also be associated with a unique reference code. Both the card number  68  and the control code  72  can be optically encoded in different ways that are machine readable, such as multidimensional optical codes. A magnetic stripe, a memory chip, or other encoding means could be used in addition to or as an alternative to the card number  68  and the control code  72  for referencing the same account.  
         [0039]    A transaction card processing system  90  is depicted in FIG. 5 mounted behind a slotted opening  92  in a gaming machine  94 . The system is specially adapted for processing the transaction cards  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2. A supply of new transaction cards  10  is stored in a magazine  96 , which is automated by a drive apparatus  97  for dispensing the cards  10  on demand. Previously issued transaction cards  10  can be inserted into the processing system  90  through the slotted opening  92 . Expended transaction cards  10  (i.e., cards whose previous balances  22  have entirely overwritten the allocated space of the thermally printable area  20  or whose current balance is zero) are reclaimed and securely stored in a bin  98 . A route deflector  99  is depicted for directing the spent cards  10  into the bin  98 .  
         [0040]    A magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  provides for reading and writing encoded information on the magnetic stripes  28 . The reader/writer  100  communicates through a processing interface  102  with a host processor  110  for exchanging information concerning the magnetically encoded contents of the magnetic stripes  28 .  
         [0041]    A direct thermal printer  104  together with a position sensor  106  provides for writing the new balances  24  on the cards  10  and for striking out or otherwise overwriting the prior balances  22  that were earlier thermally printed on the cards  10 . The position sensor  106  detects the position of the cards  10  approaching the thermal printer  104  for registering the thermally printable area  20  with respect to the printer  104 . The position sensor  106  can also be arranged to be optically sensitive to reference marks (e.g., dollar signs) previously printed on the cards to locate the most recent balance  24  and the next available space for printing. The printer  104  also communicates with the processing interface  102  to acquire instructions for overprinting the most recent balance  24  and for printing a new current balance.  
         [0042]    The processing interface  102  integrates the transaction card processing system  90  into the electronic systems of the gaming machine  94 , including a cash acceptor  108 , and as well as into the host computer  110 , which provides central processing capabilities for a plurality of gaming machines  94 . The host computer  110  preferably provides for storing and exchanging account information associated with the transaction cards  10  in connection with both the entrance and exit of the transaction cards  10  from the gaming machine  94 . The dispensing of new cards  10  from the magazine  96  and the reclaiming of spent cards  10  into the bin  98  also preferably produce information exchanges with the host computer  110 .  
         [0043]    The cash acceptor  108  can be of a type that accepts various forms of cash or cash equivalents including currency, coins, or debit account transfers. Information concerning the deposit of cash in the cash acceptor can be stored in the gaming machine  94  to update a local credit balance in the machine  94  or can be shared with the host computer  110  to update an account associated with a particular transaction card  10 . Once established in connection with a transaction card  10 , the balance of the account can be affected by deposits of cash, the results of play, or a complete or partial redemption of cash held by the transaction card  10 .  
         [0044]    The transaction card processing system  90  is specifically arranged for processing the magnetically striped transaction cards of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the processing system  90  can be readily modified in accordance with the invention to accommodate other types of transaction cards, such as the “smart card” transaction card  40  of FIG. 3 and the optically encoded transaction card  60  of FIG. 4. For example, the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  could be replaced by comparable mechanisms for reading or writing in other mediums including such mechanisms that communicate through electrical, optical, or radio interfaces. At a minimum, the comparable mechanisms preferably perform a reading function for acquiring account information from the transaction cards.  
         [0045]    Additional reading or writing devices can be used for related purposes, such as reading the barcode  30  as a further verification of or as a backup to the primary encoded account reference. A verification device could also be used to read the printed balance, compare the printed balance to the electronically stored balance, and initiate a reprint or other error routine if the balances do not match.  
         [0046]    A similar processing system could be mounted in a kiosk or customer service center to dispense or redeem the transaction cards  10 . For redemption purposes, the transaction card processing system  90  can be linked to a cash surrender device that returns cash or a cash equivalent (e.g., debit account transfer) to the bearer in return for a partial or complete withdrawal from the account balance of the transaction card  10 . In the case of a partial withdrawal, the remaining balance can be printed on the transaction card  10  and returned to the bearer, but the transaction card  10  is preferably not returned if the withdrawal is complete.  
         [0047]    According to the invention, gaming machine play can be initiated by depositing cash or a cash equivalent into the cash acceptor  108  of the gaming machine  94  or by inserting a previously issued transaction card  10  into the transaction card processing system  90 . If cash is deposited, the transaction card processing system  90  issues a new transaction card  10  at cash out. The new transaction card  10  is dispensed through the slot  92  to the player as a cash equivalent of the current credit amount cashed out by the player.  
         [0048]    The new transaction card  10  can be initiated to its bearer value in a variety of ways. We prefer that the cash-out amount, together with an indicator of the gaming machine  94  and any prior account reference number, be communicated to the host computer  110 . An account reference number, which can be changed for each transaction of the transaction card  10 , is preferably assigned by the host computer  110  and communicated to the processing interface  92  of the transaction card processing system  90 . The host computer  110  preferably stores the current account reference number and balance.  
         [0049]    The drive apparatus  97  draws a new transaction card  10  from the magazine  96  and advances the card in sequence through the thermal printer  104  and the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  (in either order) before dispensing the new transaction card through the slot  92 . The thermal printer  104 , together with its position sensor  106 , locates a first space within the thermally printable area  20  and prints the current balance  24 . The magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  encodes the account reference number on the magnetic stripe  28 . Additional information can be written by both the thermal printer  104  and the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100 . For example, the thermal printer  104  could print the account reference number in conventional alphanumeric characters or in an encoded form (e.g., a multidimensional barcode). The magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  could also encode the current balance or other associated information such as the machine that issued or last dispensed the transaction card  10 .  
         [0050]    Once dispensed, the transaction card  10  can be reused in other gaming machines  94  or redeemed at a kiosk or customer service center. When the transaction card  10  is reinserted into the same or a new gaming machine  94 , the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  reads the encoded account reference number on the card  10 , and the processing interface  102  accesses the host computer  110  to associate the account reference number with a current balance. Additional information could also be accessed from the transaction card  10 , such as relating to its origins or prior use, which could also be stored in the host computer  110  to verify the transaction card&#39;s authenticity.  
         [0051]    The account balance referenced by the transaction card  10  is made available for gaming machine play. At cash out, a sequence is initiated that communicates the current balance and any desired related information to the host computer  110  to replace the current balance under the same or a newly assigned account reference number. The new account reference number or any desired related information can be re-encoded into the magnetic stripe  28  or the transaction card  10  can be advanced directly to the thermal printer  104 .  
         [0052]    A sequence of operations associated with the thermal printer  104  provides for locating the last entered balance and the next available space for printing within the thermally printable area  20 . Various locating routines can be used for this purpose. For example, reference marks can be printed along with the account balances in predetermined locations whose presence or absence indicates the availability of a printable space. The reference marks can be checked in sequence to determine the last entry and counted to determine if the transaction card is full. Information concerning the number of previous entries could also be encoded into the magnetic stripe  28  or stored in another accessible form (e.g., a memory chip) on the transaction card  10 . Once the relative position of the transaction card  10  is determined, the last entry and next available space could be reference by calibrated motions of the printer feed mechanism.  
         [0053]    While printing the new account balance  24 , the previous account balance is struck through or otherwise overwritten. An example of a strike through is shown in FIG. 1; an example of a complete block out is shown in FIG. 3. The printing of new account balances and the overwriting of previously printed balances can be carried out in the same or different color inks. Temperature variations in the thermal printer can be used to release different colors in a multicolor thermosensitive coating.  
         [0054]    If the transaction card  10  is full (i.e., the available thermally printable space  20  is exhausted), the route deflector  99  preferably directs the spent transaction card  10  into the bin  98 , and a new transaction card is issued and returned to the player. The route deflector  99  could also deflect a used transaction card  10  into the bin  98  in the event that the player elects to cash out with a zero balance. Transaction cards  10  printed with positive balances are returned to the players through the slot  92  for additional play or redemption.  
         [0055]    Similar procedures can be carried out with other types transaction cards, including the transaction cards  40  and  60 , distinguished mainly by alternative ways of encoding account reference information. For example, the transaction card processing system  90  could be arranged to similarly process the transaction card  40  by replacing the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  with a “smart card” reader/writer. The transaction card  60  could be similarly processed by replacing the magnetic stripe reader/writer  100  with an optical scanner and relying on the thermal printer  104  to provide corresponding writing capabilities.  
         [0056]    Expanded interactions between the transaction cards  10 ,  40 , or  60 , the gaming machine  94 , and the host computer  110  are possible for accomplishing other functions such as the administration of customer loyalty programs or other promotions, the accumulation of marketing information, or the enhancement of security. For example, in addition to storing the current account reference number and balance in the host computer  110 , a prior sequence of related transactions involving the same or a replacement transaction card  10  could also be stored in the host computer  110 . Such archival information could be accessed by customer choice to assign loyalty awards or by administrative choice to monitor for fraud or marketing purposes. Similar information could also be stored in and accessed from “smart card” transaction cards  40 .  
         [0057]    Our preferred transaction cards  10 ,  40 , and  60  to the extent that they are used as a substitute for cash, are payable to their bearer without requirement for further identification. Electronically accumulated information concerning the actual transactions of the card is preferably not linked to the bearer&#39;s identity unless the bearer so chooses. Processing, such as the accumulation of customer loyalty credit, can be accumulated in parallel and associated with a bearer&#39;s identity without establishing any link to the transactions themselves.