Contactless communication systems, namely, portable cards and host reader/writers to communicate information between the cards and the host reader/writers in a contactless manner for security, identification, physical state and financial applications, namely, physical access control to secured areas, personnel time and attendance, identity credentialing, computer log-on and network access, digital cash transactions, access authorization to office equipment and manufacturing machinery, facility lighting and HVAC control and billing, equipment and material check-out, security patrol monitoring, participation in loyalty membership programs, and public transit passes

Electronic communication systems, namely, portable credentials and host reader/writers to communicate information between the portable credentials and the host reader/writers in a contact or contactless manner for security, identification, physical state and financial applications, namely, physical access control to secured areas, personnel time and attendance, identity credentialing, computer log-on and network access, digital cash transactions, access authorization to office equipment and manufacturing machinery, facility lighting and HVAC control and billing, equipment and material check-out, security patrol monitoring, participation in loyalty and membership programs, and public transit passes; scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers