A universal
electronic transaction card (“UET card”) is capable of serving as a number of different credit cards,
bank cards, identification cards, employee cards, medical cards and the like. The UET card includes storage elements, an input interface, a processor, a display, and a communications interface. In a preferred embodiment, the UET card stores transactional information to eliminate paper receipts and includes security features to prevent unauthorized use. The UET card may also be used to replace conventional currency and traveler's checks, and may be configured to store and display promotional information, such as advertising and incentives. A communications interface unit (“CIU”) may be provided to interface between the UET card and a
personal computer, automatic banking terminal (commonly referred to as ATM machines) and / or an institutional
mainframe computer. CIU devices may include electrical contact for recharging a UET card. A
system of utilizing the UET card is also provided which includes UET cards and CIU devices which enable the transmission of information between point of sales (or point of transactions) computers and the UET cards. The
system further includes point of sales computers configured to communicate with the UET card and with service institution computers. The invention also includes a health care
management system utilizing UET cards. In the health care
management system, all
medical information for a patient may be stored in the UET card so that when a patient receives services from a health care provider, that health care provider connects the patient's UET card to the health care provider's computer
system and can then obtain all pertinent
medical information concerning the patient, including the patient's
medical history, insurance information and the like. In addition, the treatment or services provided by the health care provider are stored in the patient's UET card. The invention also includes methods of issuing an account
authorization to a UET card, a method of transferring transactional and account information between a UET card and a
personal computer or a
mainframe computer, a method of using the UET card as a remote terminal for a
mainframe computer, and a method of conducting an
electronic transaction.