Dynamic smart card/media imaging

The present invention relates to a smart electronic media dynamic imaging system and method to store and retrieve intelligent data that may be used for a variety of purposes, including displaying images, user alerts, or textual messages. Smart media includes technologies such as smart cards (IC cards), optical memory cards and the like that would contain data for the purpose of providing graphical user information, such as advertisements. The system is comprised of smart media, a reader, a vendor or electronic gate having display and a hosting computer that allows for the transfer and receiving of image data such as text, icons, bit maps and graphical data on to and from the smart media. The method stores image data onto the smart media, in either a compressed image format or in the form of data address pointers, and locates images in a host computer such as that of the gate, vendor or store/station computer. In addition, a method of supplying personal data to a decision tree to determine what image data or file should be displayed is disclosed. The stored data held within the smart media, may contain personal data, usage information, and/or user profile tags (information) that can be used to decipher or data mine what data is to be activated or displayed onto the electronic fare or access gate or that of the retailers patron display.