What is a Smart Card?
A Smart Card is a plastic card resembling a traditional credit or debit card that contains a built-in integrated circuit chip used for identification and authentication purposes. There are several types of Smart Cards: Memory, CPU, Contact, Contactless (Proximity and Vicinity, Hybrid (Twin), Combi (Dual Interface).Smart Cards use a serial interface and receives their power from external sources like a card reader. The processor uses a limited instruction set for applications such as cryptography. First invented in the late 60's but was popularised by a string of inventions from Roland Moreno in 1974. In 2000 Data Monitor announced that over 3 billion cards were in circulation worldwide. Euro Smart figures forecast that total Smart Card shipments in 2005 will be 2325 million. |
