Tomcat
Professional
- Messages
- 2,689
- Reaction score
- 963
- Points
- 113
The idea of using a microcircuit that interacts with the outside world using electromagnetic waves, that is, in a non-contact manner, appeared in the first half of the 90s. Cards using such chips have come to be called contactless cards.
At first, contactless cards were exclusively memory cards. Such cards were mainly used as a means of identification of an object (Radio Frequency ID, or RFID). For example, they were used to detect an object that fell into the working area of the reader (one-bit chips used in anti-theft systems), identify an object (in addition to detecting an object, it is determined what kind of object it is), and also as a cashless tool, limited in its functionality. payments. With the development of technologies for the production of microcircuits and, as a result, the reduction in the cost of microprocessors, it became possible to use contactless cards for authenticating applications located on the chip.
The first massive project using contactless payment cards, launched in 1997, was to pay for refueling cars at Exxon Mobil gas stations (USA). Now more than 7,500 filling stations of this filling network serve more than 12 million cardholders, or rather holders of special SpeedPass tokens.
Another well-known project for the use of contactless cards is the Octopus project, which was launched in Hong Kong and today serves more than 13 million cards. The original goal of the project was to secure public transport fares. However, later the cards began to be used to pay for goods at fast food restaurants, convenience shops.
Finally, mention should be made of the Moscow Metro project (1998), which uses, among other things, contactless card technology to pay for fares. This project deservedly went down in history as one of the pioneers in the development of contactless payments.
At first, contactless cards were exclusively memory cards. Such cards were mainly used as a means of identification of an object (Radio Frequency ID, or RFID). For example, they were used to detect an object that fell into the working area of the reader (one-bit chips used in anti-theft systems), identify an object (in addition to detecting an object, it is determined what kind of object it is), and also as a cashless tool, limited in its functionality. payments. With the development of technologies for the production of microcircuits and, as a result, the reduction in the cost of microprocessors, it became possible to use contactless cards for authenticating applications located on the chip.
The first massive project using contactless payment cards, launched in 1997, was to pay for refueling cars at Exxon Mobil gas stations (USA). Now more than 7,500 filling stations of this filling network serve more than 12 million cardholders, or rather holders of special SpeedPass tokens.
Another well-known project for the use of contactless cards is the Octopus project, which was launched in Hong Kong and today serves more than 13 million cards. The original goal of the project was to secure public transport fares. However, later the cards began to be used to pay for goods at fast food restaurants, convenience shops.
Finally, mention should be made of the Moscow Metro project (1998), which uses, among other things, contactless card technology to pay for fares. This project deservedly went down in history as one of the pioneers in the development of contactless payments.
