Packaging
Toppan Printing develops the “SMARTICS-cFe” – a small coin-shaped FeliCa type IC card
Monday 28. April 2008 - Increasing the freedom for design to include items such as key holders or clear straps
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi) has developed a small coin-shaped IC card called the “SMARTICS-cFe” (*1) that is compatible with FeliCa (*2) contactless IC card technology. With a thickness of 0.8mm, this is the worlds smallest FeliCa type IC card. Sample shipment will begin from April 10, 2008 and sales will begin during 2008.
The use of contactless IC cards is expanding widely in fields including electronic money, transport tickets, student and employee ID cards, and FeliCa contactless IC card technology is becoming the domestic standard for various applications. In these conditions, the need has grown not just for the existing card form but also for small or irregular shaped FeliCa type IC cards that offer a great deal of freedom for processing.
The small coin-shaped SMARTICS-cFe that has been developed is available in two sizes, with an external diameter of 22.6 mm or 26.6mm. Using the original antenna design and assembly technologies that Toppan Printing has developed, the antenna has been made smaller and a greater range of design for the shape has been made possible. This makes it possible to expand use to more entertaining or fun applications by producing forms such as straps for mobile phones or character shaped key holders. Toppan Printing has developed FeliCa type IC cards with various shapes and using various materials, such as the small “SMARTICS-mFe” card and the “SMARTICS-sFe”, which was the first domestic sticker type. These are already beginning to be used by various companies.
Toppan Printing will continue to use its original technology and know-how to develop various contactless IC cards that respond to the needs of customer companies.
Left: The small coin-shaped “SMARTICS-cFe” Right: An example of use in a key holder
Copyright 2008 TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
Background
-The use of contactless IC cards is expanding rapidly with applications including electronic money, credit cards and employee ID cards. The market for FeliCa type IC cards was 66 million cards in 2007 with Toppan Printing having a 40.9% market share. (Source: Card Market 2007 – Marketing Directory from Fuji Chimera Research Institute, Inc.)
-The electronic money market was around 29 million cards in 2007 with demand for around 31 million (Toppan Printing forecast) IC cards predicted for 2008.
-In the distribution industry, companies have started issuing original electronic money and FeliCa type IC cards are being introduced in various fields. Recently, many multifunction cards have appeared, such as electronic money cards for transport that also have credit card functions. Companies are seeking convenience and considering the issuance of original electronic money and point service IC cards.
-As competition in the industry becomes fiercer for services that employ contactless IC cards, Toppan Printing is striving to differentiate itself by reducing size and adding fun or entertaining features to cards.
Toppan Printing has developed various forms of contactless IC cards including sticker and boomerang-shaped types. The company has now developed a new coin-shaped FeliCa type IC card.
Main specifications
Size: Two types, diameter of 22.6mm or 26.6mm
Thickness: 0.8mm (equivalent to credit card)
Memory capacity: 4.0KB (user area 2.4KB) *Same as card type
Main applications
Identification – entrance identification for companies, amusement facilities etc., membership cards
Security – apartment keys, hotel keys, PC security, book lending
Points, tickets – point cards, mileage cards, electronic tickets, etc.
*It is also possible to add transport ticket and electronic money functions
Price
Sample shipment price: around 3000 yen per card.
Provisional price when mass production begins: 800 yen per card
* Price will change depending upon volume and specifications
Sales target
100,000 cards in FY2008
*1 SMARTICS is a registered trademark of Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
*2 FeliCa is a technology developed by Sony Corporation and is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.