Electronic payment method using an electronic cash card, whereby a spending limit is set on the card to ensure that a minimum amount will be available for future spending

摘要

Method for making a payment at a payment terminal using a portable data carrier with a memory, wherein electronic credit units are stored. The method has the following steps: fixing of a payment amount; fixing of a difference between the credit amount and a limiting amount; definition of a threshold to the payment amount based on the difference; determination of the difference between the threshold and the payment amount; and exchange of electronic credit units between the payment terminal and the portable data carrier according to the difference. The invention also relates to a corresponding portable data carrier.