smart card
    n 1: a plastic card containing a microprocessor that enables the
         holder to perform operations requiring data that is stored
         in the microprocessor; typically used to perform financial
         transactions

	

	smart card

   Any plastic card (like a credit card) with an embedded
   integrated circuit for storing information.

   Smart cards are being incorporated into soldier's dog-tags and
   used to store hospital patients' medical records.  This way
   they are always instantly accessible.

   Other uses are as a form of token in banking systems.  You
   could store electronic money on the card or less valuable
   tokens such as those given away by petrol companies which you
   collect to exchange for free gifts at a later date.  The idea
   being that one smart card is easier to carry around than a
   multitude of paper tokens.

   news:alt.technology.smartcards

   (1995-01-06)