Oberthur Technologies Launches World's First Commercialized Light-Emitting Payment Card

PARIS, November 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oberthur Technologies, the world's second largest supplier of smart card solutions and the number one provider of contactless payment cards has launched Smart Lumiere, an innovative light-emitting contactless card. Available in both dual contactless-EMV or pure contactless configuration, Smart Lumiere emits light when it is entered in the field of a contactless reader to inform the cardholder when a transaction is taking place.

Smart Lumiere is the next evolution in Oberthur Technologies' pioneering work in the field of contactless payment devices. Comprised of a translucent plastic core, antenna and illuminating light apparatus, Smart Lumiere meets ISO 14443 dual interface contactless payment standards. It is the first light-emitting payment card to be ready for use in pilots. The Smart Lumiere technology has also been recognized by the industry for its innovation, with nominations in both the Hardware and the Loyalty categories of the 2009 SESAMES awards.

For the card issuer, Smart Lumiere offers major applications in the payment, loyalty, prepaid and transport markets. The color and sequence of the light sources, like the design of the card itself, is decided by the issuer, while the versatility of either pure or dual EMV-contactless configurations enables Smart Lumiere to be deployed in major geographic markets at any level of contactless migration.

For the cardholder, Smart Lumiere offers a unique form factor that will become a preferential payment device. More importantly, the Smart Lumiere card provides a visual cue to the cardholder that their contactless payment transaction has taken place; helping the bank to reinforce trust in contactless as a secure, convenient and rapid way to pay.

"Smart Lumiere provides both issuers and their cardholders with an innovative payment device and a strong message to encourage adoption of contactless payment. It also offers issuers a way to differentiate their offering and win top of the wallet status." comments Frederic Chevreton, General Manager of the Payment Product Line, Card Systems Division, Oberthur Technologies, These Sesames nominations reinforce Oberthur Technologies dedication to innovation in the payment industry."

Smart Lumiere is part of Oberthur Technologies' Smart Plastics range of innovative card bodies, finishes and inks.

About Oberthur Technologies

With sales of 882 million Euros in 2008, Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies' strong positioning in its main target markets:

    - Card Systems: The world's second largest provider of security
      and identification based on smart card technology and associated
      services for mobile, payment, transport, digital TV and convergence
      markets.

    - Identity: Leading international supplier for the manufacture and
      personalization of secure identity documents such as passport, identity
      card, driving license or health care card - traditional and electronic
      - and associated services for both governmental and corporate markets.

    - Security printing: World's third largest private security printer
      specialized in high security for the production of banknotes, checks
      and other fiduciary documents in more than fifty countries.

    - Cash protection: World leader in the emerging market of
      intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM.

Close to its customers, Oberthur Technologies benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents.

Oberthur Technologies S.A. is a limited liability company (societe anonyme) registered in France with its registered office at 50 quai Michelet 92 532 Levallois Perret, France. Oberthur Technologies S.A.'s corporate registration number is 340 709 534 R.C.S. Paris.

Website: http://www.oberthur.com

SOURCE Oberthur Technologies