Smart Cards Kyle Dion What is a Smart

Smart Cards Kyle Dion

What is a Smart Card? l l Definition: defined as any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process information. Also called a chip card or integrated circuit card (ICC).

Smart Card History l l l Invented by German scientist Helmut Gröttrup in 1968. Patent approved in 1982. First Mass production of cards was for payment in French pay phones. l l Spread throughout most of Europe in the mid-1990’s. Although extremely popular in Europe the technology is just beginning to be widely used in the United States.

Characteristics of Smart Cards l l l Resembles a credit card. Inside of card contains a embedded microprocessor. Microprocessor is under gold contact pad.

Primary Function of the Smart Card l l l Security!!! Host and card reader actually talk to one another. Microprocessor enforces access to the information on the card.

Typical Design l l May have up to 8 kilobytes of RAM. 346 kilobytes of ROM 256 kilobytes of programmable ROM 16 bit microprocessor

Examples of Smart Cards Credit Cards Loyalty Systems Electronic Cash Banking Computer Security Systems Satellite TV Wireless Communication Government Identification

Disadvantages to Smart Cards l l l Can be easily destroyed Authorities and other government agencies can use them as a tracking device May take awhile to be replaced

Smart Cards at USD l l l Laundry cards use smart card technology Easily identified by gold plate Put money into card dispenser Amount is read by host (laundry machines) Updated every time it is used to do laundry

USD Laundry Card

Different Types of Smart Cards l Three different types Contact Card l Contact less Cards l Combination Card l

Contact Card l The most common type of smart card. Electrical contacts located on the outside of the card connect to a card reader when the card is inserted. l l Example USD laundry card

Contact Less Card l These are smart cards that employ a radio frequency (RFID) between card and reader without physical insertion of the card. Instead the card is passed along the exterior of the reader and read. l Example l retail stored value, since they can speed-up transactions and not lower transaction processing revenues (i. e. VISA and Mastercard), like traditional smart cards.

Combination Card l These are hybrids that employ both contact and contactless technology in one card. Combi-cards can also contain two different types of chips in contrast to a Dual-Interface card where a single chip manages both functions. l Example l An example card is a SIM card for mobile GSM where updates and security are downloaded to the phone and dynamically changed.

References l l www. howstuffworks. com www. smartcardbasics. com