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A credit card-sized card having a rotating magnetic memory therein is disclosed. The card is provided using a laminated structure in which a stainless steel, plastic sandwich structure is employed. An opening in the plastic layer provides space for the rotating magnetic disk. Data is written to or r

A credit card-sized card having a rotating magnetic memory therein is disclosed. The card is provided using a laminated structure in which a stainless steel, plastic sandwich structure is employed. An opening in the plastic layer provides space for the rotating magnetic disk. Data is written to or read from the disk by positioning heads from an external system into openings in the external surface of the card. When the card is not engaged in a reader, a shutter covers the openings.

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1. A flexible card no larger than a credit card for storing data comprising:a first layer;a rotatable magnetic disk for storing the data;a second layer affixed to the first layer, the second layer and the first layer together surrounding the magnetic disk;a first opening in the first layer to allow

1. A flexible card no larger than a credit card for storing data comprising:a first layer;a rotatable magnetic disk for storing the data;a second layer affixed to the first layer, the second layer and the first layer together surrounding the magnetic disk;a first opening in the first layer to allow access for reading the data on the magnetic disk;a third layer disposed between the first and the second layers; anda shutter movably attached to the card for covering the first opening when data on the card is not being accessed;wherein the shutter is disposed to cover the first opening when the shutter is closed, and to expose the first opening when the shutter is open, the first layer includes a recess within which the shutter may slide, and the shutter slidably covers the first opening when the shutter is closed. 2. A card as in claim 1 further comprising a third layer disposed between the first and the second layers. 3. A card as in claim 1 further comprising a hub affixed to the magnetic disk for enabling coupling of the magnetic disk to an external motor for rotating the disk. 4. A card as in claim 3 wherein the card further comprises a second opening in the second layer to expose a portion of the hub to enable the external motor to rotate the magnetic disk. 5. A card as in claim 1 further comprising a further opening in the second layer, the further opening together with the first opening allowing access for reading data on opposite sides of the magnetic disk. 6. A card as in claim 5 wherein a shutter is disposed to cover the first and the further openings. 7. A card as in claim 6 wherein the shutter when closed forms a labyrinth seal to protect the magnetic disk from ambient conditions. 8. A card as in claim 1 wherein the shutter is disposed to cover the first opening when the shutter is closed, and to expose the first opening when the shutter is open. 9. A card as in claim 1 wherein the recess in the first layer is elongated and wherein a portion of the shutter slides in the elongated portion. 10. A card as in claim 9 wherein the elongated recess extends to an edge of the card to enable an external device to open the shutter. 11. A card as in claim 1 wherein the magnetic disk comprises one of a plastic substrate and a flexible metal. 12. A card as in claim 11 wherein the first layer comprises stainless steel and the second layer comprises plastic. 13. A card as in claim 12 wherein the stainless steel is about 0.005 inches thick and the plastic is about 0.03 inches thick. 14. A card as in claim 1 wherein the second layer comprises stainless steel. 15. A card as in claim 1 further comprising an integrated circuit attached to the card. 16. A card as in claim 1 further comprising:an additional opening in the first layer; andwherein the integrated circuit is affixed to the card to allow one surface of the integrated circuit to extend through the opening in the first layer. 17. A card as in claim 1 further comprising:identification information affixed to the first layer; anda magnetic strip affixed to the second layer. 18. A card as in claim 1 wherein the card may be deformed without damage about 2 centimeters in a lengthwise direction and about 1 centimeter in a widthwise direction. 19. A card as in claim 1 further comprising:a hub affixed to the magnetic disk on both sides of the disk, the hub containing an opening therein for engaging with a motor; andwherein the card deforms when inserted into a reader in an amount sufficient to allow the hub to engage the motor. 20. A card as in claim 1 further comprising liner material disposed between the first and second layers to separate the magnetic disk from contact with them. 21. A card as in claim 1 wherein the shutter is disposed in a recess between the first layer and the second layer. 22. A card as in claim 21 wherein the recess extends to an edge of the card to enable an external mechanism to open and close the shutter. 23. A card as in claim 22 further comprising a latch to h old the shutter closed when the external mechanism is not engaged. 24. A card as in claim 22 wherein a portion of the shutter includes a magnet, and the external mechanism opens the shutter using the magnet. 25. A credit card sized card comprising:a rotating magnetic memory inside the credit card for storing information; andan integrated circuit accessible from the exterior of the card. 26. A card as in claim 25 further comprising an encryption system implemented in the integrated circuit. 27. A card as in claim 26 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises:a cryptography engine;a memory for storing keys; andan input/output port for being connected to an external system. 28. A card as in claim 27 wherein at a time the card is coupled to an external system, data is transferred to and from the card only if the card has a proper key recognized by the external system. 29. A card as in claim 28 wherein the data is stored on the card in an encrypted format. 30. A card as in claim 29 wherein the data is provided by the card to the external system in an encrypted format. 31. A card as in claim 27 further comprising a microprocessor incorporated therein. 32. A card as in claim 31 wherein the microprocessor is used to control an external system which does at least one of reading from and writing to the rotating magnetic memory. 33. A card as in claim 25 having a width, a length and a dimension perpendicular thereto, wherein the card is flexible such that its center may be displaced in the perpendicular dimension at least 10 percent of its length. 34. A card as in claim 25 having a width, a length and a dimension perpendicular thereto, wherein the card is flexible such that its center may be displaced in the perpendicular dimension at least 5 percent of its width. 35. A flexible card no larger than a credit card for storing data comprising:a first layer;a rotatable magnetic disk for storing the data;a second layer affixed to the first layer, the second layer and the first layer together surrounding the magnetic disk; anda first opening in the first layer to allow access for reading the data on the magnetic disk; andan integrated circuit attached to the card. 36. A card as in claim 35 further comprising an additional opening in the first layer, wherein the integrated circuit is affixed to the card to allow one surface of the integrated circuit to extend through the additional opening in the first layer. 37. A flexible card no larger than a credit card for storing data comprising:a first layer;a rotatable magnetic disk for storing the data;a second layer affixed to the first layer, the second layer and the first layer together surrounding the magnetic disk;a first opening in the first layer to allow access for reading the data on the magnetic disk;a third layer disposed between the first and the second layers;a shutter operable by an external mechanism, the shutter disposed in a recess extending to an edge of the card between the first layer and the second layer and movably attached to the card for covering the first opening when data on the card is not being accessed; anda latch to hold the shutter closed when the external mechanism is not engaged.