A contactless smart card is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can process and store data, and communicate with a terminal via radio waves. There are two broad categories of contactless smart cards. Memory cards contain non-volatile memory storage components, and perhaps some specific security logic. Contactless smart cards do not contain an ordinary read-only RFID, but they do contain a re-writeable smart card microchip that can be transcribed via radio waves.
The first contactless smart card in production use for fare payment was the Octopus card, introduced in Hong Kong in 1997 for the territory's mass transit system.
Read more about Contactless Smart Card: Overview, History, Technology, Communication Protocols, Security, Problems
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