A value storage system in which information representing value is directly written
to an easily portable storage medium as a reference fingerprint. The value storage
system includes a plurality of read/write units for storing and retrieving the
value information. Each of the read/write units may include a data authenticator
for authenticating information previously stored on the storage medium, the authentication
information consisting of a numerical representation of a level of trapped charges
representing the reference fingerprint. The read/write units may be connected to
a central server which retrieves information from each of the read write units,
stores information, and provides various accounting and statistical analyses, as
well as reconciling transactions between two or more read/write units. The value
stored may represent units of value employed in a customer loyalty program which
are stored on the portable media during a sales transaction and then later redeemed
for purchase of or discounts on merchandise, a gaming player's points or winnings,
or any of a host of types of value related information which may be carried on
a portable card.
