Gemplus Introduces Contactless Smart Card Reader

Business Wire, Feb 18, 1998

REDWOOD CITY, Ca.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 18, 1998--

New Micro680 Extends Industry's Broadest Range

Of Smart Contactless Readers; Unprecedented

Small Size To Enable New Applications

Gemplus today introduced the Micro680, a contactless smart card reader that can be integrated into devices such as ticketing dispensers, bus ticket validators, handheld card readers, card reloading terminals, and vending machines.

Smaller in length and width than a credit card, the Micro680 reader enables system providers to integrate contactless smart card readers into devices that require contactless reader technology, such as teleticketing, toll collection, access control and electronic purse.

Additionally, the Micro680's small size will make it easier to install than larger readers because it incorporates both the coupler and antenna in a single component. This smaller configuration will contribute to cost reductions, shortened time to market cycles, and will also allow extra space for other hardware components.

"Gemplus has consistently delivered the unique, smart contactless solutions that the industry demands. With the new Micro680, developers, partners, and customers alike will benefit from the potential applications that can be developed," said Steven Landau, director of transportation and access control for Gemplus.

Contactless Smart Cards

The simplest smart cards available on the market today are protected memory cards, which are primarily information storage cards that must be inserted into a smart card reader in order to be read. They are inexpensive and can store from a few bytes to 1 Kbyte of information.

Contactless smart cards are the functional equivalent of protected memory cards but use radio frequency technology to interact with the card reader instead of being inserted into the device. The card transmits transaction data and records the data that it receives when passed within 3-4 inches of the reader. With contactless smart cards, transaction times are reduced 20 to 30 times compared to cards requiring insertion, providing such benefits as increased throughput.

Pricing and Availability

The Micro680 reader will be available in April 1998 and will be priced at less than US$200 for volume purchases. It will be sold through a network of smart card systems integrators.

About Gemplus

Gemplus Corporation is the North American subsidiary of Gemplus S.C.A. (http://www.gemplus.com), the world's leading provider of plastic and smart card-based solutions. Gemplus sells magnetic stripe cards, memory and microprocessor-based smart cards, smart contactless cards, electronic tags and smart objects. The company designs and markets software, development tools and readers. Gemplus also provides consulting, training and personalization services to deliver the industry's most comprehensive and flexible card-based solutions to its developers, distributors, partners, and customers.

With sales of over US$574 million in 1997, Gemplus employs more than 3,500 people in nine manufacturing facilities, four R&D centers and 41 sales and marketing offices located in 27 countries around the world. Founded in 1988, Gemplus has successfully implemented portable and secure smart card-based solutions to simplify applications such as public and wireless communications, financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education, healthcare, identity, access control, pay TV, electronic commerce, Internet security, and information technology.

CONTACT: Press Contact: Dr. Patricia Neptune

Neptune Group International

203/221-2820