Toppan Printing Co Ltd has developed "Smartics-cFe," a coin-shaped contactless IC card that supports "FeliCa" technology, and will begin sample shipments from April 10, 2008. Two models measuring 26.6 and 22.6mm in diameter, respectively, will be available.
"This is the world's smallest FeliCa-based IC card with a thickness of 0.8mm," Toppan said. The company has enabled to mount contactless IC card functionality on small accessories such as mobile phone straps and key holders.
Of its built-in 4-Kbyte memory, user area accounts for 2.4 Kbytes as in standard IC cards. The company said it realized the shape of a coin by downsizing the antenna through its proprietary antenna design technology and packaging technology.
Expected applications are entrance certificates and membership cards for amusement facilities, keys to condominiums and hotels, point cards for stores and electronic tickets, for example. The IC card can also feature transportation ticket and electronic money capabilities.
Volume production and shipments are slated to start some time in 2008. Pricing for a sample is about ¥3,000 (US$29.3). Reference pricing for a mass-produced card is ¥800. The sales goal is set at 100,000 cards for fiscal 2008.
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