Smart Cards |
A smart card resembles a credit card in size and shape, but inside it is completely different. First of all, it has an inside -- a normal credit card is a simple piece of plastic. The inside of a smart card usually contains an embedded microprocessor. The microprocessor is under a gold contact pad on one side of the card. Think of the microprocessor as replacing the usual magnetic stripe on a credit card or debit card.
Smart cards are much more popular in Europe than in the United States. In Europe, the health insurance and banking industries use smart cards extensively. Every German citizen has a smart card for health insurance. Even though smart cards have been around in their modern form for at least a decade, they are just starting to take off in the United States.
Magnetic stripe technology remains in wide use in the United States. However, the data on the stripe can easily be read, written, deleted or changed with off-the-shelf equipment. Therefore, the stripe is really not the best place to store sensitive information. To protect the consumer, businesses in the U.S. have invested in extensive online mainframe-based computer networks for verification and processing. In Europe, such an infrastructure did not develop -- instead, the card carries the intelligence.
The microprocessor on the smart card is there for security. The host computer and card reader actually "talk" to the microprocessor. The microprocessor enforces access to the data on the card. If the host computer read and wrote the smart card's random access memory (RAM), it would be no different than a diskette.
Smarts cards may have up to 8 kilobytes of RAM, 346 kilobytes of ROM, 256 kilobytes of programmable ROM, and a 16-bit microprocessor. The smart card uses a serial interface and receives its power from external sources like a card reader. The processor uses a limited instruction set for applications such as cryptography.
The most common smart card applications are:
Smart cards can be used with a smart-card reader attachment to a personal computer to authenticate a user. Web browsers also can use smart card technology to supplement Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for improved security of Internet transactions. Visa's Smart Card FAQ shows how online purchases work using a smart card and a PC equipped with a smart-card reader. Smart-card readers can also be found in mobile phones and vending machines. These links will help you learn more:
Smart Gold Cards
Health Data Gold Card Family Gold Card Gaming Gold Card and Software Rewards, Access, Purses and Digital Identity. Movie Gold Card Loyalty & Stored Value Gold Card Crypto Gold Card This low-cost smart card can substantially decrease theft and fraud associated with coin and cash. It improves on conventional magnetic-stripe cards by incorporating processing power as well as greater security. The Crypto Gold Card features Symmetric Key Processing cryptography that exactly matches issuer and user 'keys' to allow authorized use of the card.
The Health Data Card is designed to be an integral part of a health informatics system. The card can store patient facts critical to emergency care and securely access larger files with more extensive histories drawn from remote networks. System Software is included with minimum orders and provides for easy application integration with existing legacy systems. Get compliant with the newest HIPAA regulations with cards and software.
The Family Gold Card has remarkable data processing capabilities. These cards feature powerful 8, 16, 32 - bit CMOS microcontrollers with the CardLogix Operating System fused into the chip. The file system in the M.O.S.T. Card Family has a tree structure and can be compared with the file structures of a PC . Like a PC, the operating system lets you create and delete files. Unlike a PC, each file can be set-up with a password and/or an authentication routine. The Cards employ a secure hash algorithm that conforms to N.I.S.T. FIPs 140 standards.
The operating system command set is further enhanced by the use of the Cardplex Application Program Interface (API). CardLogix focuses on software and hardware solutions designed to make multi-application card system implementation practical with a low degree of risk. The Card uses asynchronous protocols that conform to ISO 7816-3 T=0 and T=1 standards and its Operating System is compatible with the PC/SC specifications from Microsoft. The Card is supported by a Card File Creation Utility.
Are focused on a variety of technologies and products for the gaming and hospitality industries. We offer products that meet specific customer and employee card requirements. We have specific platforms that support the following areas:
Cashless Gaming Gold Card act as closed monetary instruments for monetary exchange. These microprocessor-based cards are loaded and unloaded through custom software protocols and customized cryptology. They are designed to enhance customer loyalty with one casino or chain of casinos. The cards can also be used for interactive player benefits such as additional slot machine pulls, free drinks, complimentary rooms, etc.
Movie Gold Card is a smart card that acts as a closed monetary system for automating theater ticket purchases. To encourage more frequent visits, and greater spending, the card can include other incentives, such as theater food discounts and co-branded video and other retail products.
Loyalty/Stored Value Gold cards and software platform give customer reward programs an added edge. They replace paper, are easy to use and track vital data for spending incentives. Smart and magnetic-stripe cards can track spending volume and trends and even process special offers. Stored value i.e. gift cards further encourages loyal spending at your business and with your marketing partners. The Loyalty API is the foundation a solution that easily links with POS and other software. The cards work with dozens of end applications. Card customization lets you brand your card and incorporate special features.
The Crypto Gold Card offers high security at a low cost for stored value applications such as public telephones, copy/PC centers, laundromats and other vending. The card stores, deducts and replenishes value for high-volume transactions that require solid security to prevent fraudulent use of the card.