Card reader

Features

• An input device that accepts data stored on a "card" such as a credit card.

Use

• Electronic Funds Transfer - Point of Sale (EFT-POS) systems in supermarkets, garages, dairies, retail stores, taxis.

Features

• Data is stored on the magnetic stripe, but once there can't be changed.
• Can be a;
  • debit card (attached to a cheque/savings account)
  • credit card (Mastercard, Visa)
  • information card (holds a client number)

Use

• Tauranga harbour bridge card.
  Stores a client number.
• Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point Of Sale. (EFT-POS)
  Used by; Garages, Supermarkets, Retail outlets.
  Using a plastic card a personal identification number (PIN) and other details are magnetised on to a small strip. After keying in a PIN and price of purchase a payment is made at the point of sale by the electronic transfer of funds from the purchaser's account to the sellers account.
• Clear Communications phone card
  Caller dials an 0800 number, punches the card number (and PIN) and is connected to a remote computer driven control centre. When funds run low the customer can top-up the card by keying in a transfer of funds over the phone from a credit card account. Another feature is the ability for the card to carry a voice message from an advertiser.

("Clear adds voice messages to phone card", 1996, Mar)

Disadvantage

• not 100% secure - cards can be copied and pin (personal identification numbers) broken.

Features

• Data stored on a magnetic strip.
• A one-shot throw-away.
• Once you have spent the value stored on it, it's only value is as a collectors item.(eg. Telephone card)

Use

• Phone Cards - where amount of call is deducted.

Features

• A one-shot throw-away.
• Once you have spent the value stored on it, it's only value is as a collectors item.
• Data stored on an aluminium strip.
• A laser beam is reflected off diffraction patterns embossed into the aluminum strip on the card.

Use

• As phonecards in Britain, the Netherlands (PTT), Belgium and Thailand - where amount of call is deducted

Features

• Card with an intelligent circuit chip built into it.
• Can store data that can be constantly changed and updated
• Different sorts of data may be stored depending on the application

Use

• Loyalty store programmes: Loyalty points along with the customers name, address, age, size, birthdays of family members and so on. (The Warehouse has this implemented currently with a magnetic stripe card)
• Storing personal details, on the card (eg Health card)
• Taxi firm begins smartcard pilot
  A driver is provided with a numbered smartcard, which is swiped through a terminal in the cab at the beginning of the shift. Passengers can pay for their journey using their credit or eft-pos card.
  When the driver finishes the fares are downloaded onto the smartcard (including cost of the fare, time, and time from pickup point to destination (something eft-pos doesn't do).
  The driver then takes the card to the company's office for payment.
• In 1996 the Mondex card had 10KB ROM, 256B RAM and 8KB Eprom.

Jackson,R. (Dec 16, 1996) and (1996, Aug 12)