smartcard

[peanut]

What is a smartcard and what is it used for ?

[rojash]

Well, either it's a piece of stiff paper with very nice printing on it, or more likely:

A smartcard is a plastic card containing a small chip that includes a microprocessor and memory. The same size as a credit card, it has gold contacts that allow other devices to communicate with the card. It can contain more data than a magnetic strip and can be programmed to reveal only the relevant information. For example, it could tell a device in a store that there is sufficient balance in an account to pay for a transaction without revealing the balance amount. Encryption techniques secure the data, and the processor allows it to be programmed for different applications.

[paddy_36]

Some local authorities are using these to allow people to access a variety of services with just one card, e.g. bus pass, library card, school meals, concessionary rates for council services, etc.