The very smart card: a plastic pocket bank

Credit cards with computer chips in them, which allow users to give merchants detailed financial information without contacting central banks, are described. The SuperSmart Card is a powerful credit-card-sized computer that fits into a wallet and promises to take over many of the jobs of transaction-support systems, redistributing vast amounts of data-processing work. The card's electronics, user-friendly features, and security features are examined. Field-testing in Japan, which began in Dec.1986, is discussed.<
>