Technology

Smart Cards

Smart cards are the size of a conventional credit or debit card with an integrated circuit chip that contains a memory, or a memory plus a microprocessor. Memory-only chips contain the operating program, and up to 64 K bytes of reusable memory. Cards with a microprocessor are used for added security when handling sensitive information.

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THE POTENTIAL OF SMART CARDS

Chips that contain both memory and a microprocessor, have an "intelligent" controller used to securely add, delete, change and update information contained in the memory. The more sophisticated microprocessor chips have state-of-the-art security features built in to protect the memory content from unauthorized access.

Contact smart cards must be inserted into a card acceptor device where pins attached to the reader make "contact" with pads on the surface of the card to read and store information in the chip. This type of e-card is used in a wide variety of applications including network security, vending, meal plans, loyalty, electronic cash, government IDs, campus IDs, e-commerce, health cards and many more.

Smart cards provide a means of effecting business transactions in a flexible, secure, standard way with minimal human intervention.

Smart cards can also provide strong authentication for single sign-on or enterprise single sign-on to computers, laptops, data with encryption, enterprise resource planning platforms such as SAP, etc.

It can be used for identification, authentication, and data storage.
The chip usually includes a control microprocessor, an encryption/decryption engine, a Read Only Memory containing the operating program, and up to 64 K bytes of reusable memory (EEPROM).

Smart cards are now widely used in credit card applications where their increased security can help to defeat criminals. It is also a form of strong security authentication for single sign-on within large companies and organizations. They are also finding many new roles in biometric access and ID systems, and in multi-function transaction applications. These applications frequently require dye sub-printing for personalization, and combining the initial data programming of the card with the printing process is very efficient.

Encoded with personal data including: address, age, medical history & blood type

Personal Information

Biometric access control encrypted with fingerprint and retinal scan data

Biometric Data

Printed with a strong corporate identity and a large portrait

Printing

Protected by HoloKote® or Custom HoloKote Flex™ and HoloPatch® ID card security

Protection

Smart Card Printers & Encoding

Because of the wide variety of Smart card chip functions, Magicard printers position the card, lower the contact array, and provide direct electrical connection to the chip via a 9 pin connector on the rear panel. The interface electronics and encoding can therefore be external, and customer specified to suit the application. The eight chip contacts will normally be supplied in the "low" format which is now the preferred ISO 7816 position. If specified at the time of ordering, the older "high" format can be supplied as an alternative.

Printer recommendation:

The Magicard Rio Pro and Prima 4 printers can be supplied with an optional smart card contact station and will execute the encode-and-verify function while the card image is being downloaded for printing. The Pronto and Enduro+ can provide smart card contact functionality via the combi encoder.

High security colour ID card printer with customizable HoloKote.Find out more

RIO PRO

Reverse transfer laminating printer for the best image quality in the card industry.Find out more

Prima 4