April 25, 1997 - The Financial Times

E-pass: the next generation of smartcard

A German entrepreneur called Hardy Hennige has devised a single smartcard that could perform the functions of a whole wallet of cards. The e-pass has a built-in touchscreen, no larger than a small calculator, which could perform the functions of a driving license, ID card, credit card and cash. Hennige is convinced that e-pass is the next generation of smartcard and has patented it in most large potential markets including Europe and the U.S. The smartcards could be given a range of functions, but Hennige believes that one of the best applications is for travellers who could download their medical records onto it, book their airline ticket with it and use it as their ticket.

The e-pass is a natural progression from the more recent smartcard technology which has a small reader screen. The e-pass would go one step further and have one of two screens, activated by a stylus or voice recognition. In order to do away with the need for a PIN number, but retain security, access to the system would be via a fingerprint or voice recognition. The card would be solar powered and batteries would be recharged when the card was inserted into a cash register or a similar device. Infrared technology could be incorporated into the card to allow the transfer of data to and from other devices such as webTV or digital TV. The card would need to be 4mm thick to incorporate infrared technology. The size of the card might be reduced if it were to use innovative technology such as the Israeli battery that is as thin as aluminium foil, or a flexible screen, both of which were exhibited at this year's Smart Card Show in the UK. Hennige has been 'smart' himself, if anyone wants to build a smartcard with a screen, they will have to check out his patent first.

reprinted from The Financial Times. 4/25/97.