Sharp Microelectronics Previews Java Card™ OS to North American Smart Card Manufacturers

ORLANDO, Fla., CARDTECH/SECURTECH CONFERENCE, Booth #1452 and CAMAS, Wash., May13, 2003 – Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas will preview the development of a Java Card™* OS with 1 MB of memory that allows full multiple applications on a single card at the CardTech/SecurTech Conference. The new OS is being used in Sharp’s new large-capacity Smart Card.

Unlike memory cards, a Smart Card is an IC (integrated circuit) card with a built-in CPU. Compared to conventional magnetic cards such as credit cards, Smart Cards have larger memory capacity and are used as a medium for electronic payment and personal identification in electronic commerce.

Changing the contents of conventional smart cards, such as adding new applications to the card once it has been issued, is a difficult process, often requiring that the card be reissued. This was previously due to restrictions in memory capacity and read-only program memory (ROM).

By incorporating SHARP’s newly developed Java Card ™ OS onto a Smart Card equipped with 1MB of flash memory, Smart Card manufacturers can store multiple applications onto a single card and easily add new applications to the card at a later time. This flexibility allows users to employ a single Smart Card in various situations, such as office exit/entrance control, restaurant payment, collecting points in a point card system, and PC user identification.

To prevent unauthorized access and tampering, the new OS supports all encryption and verification features written in the Java Card™ specifications, thus providing users with a highly secure Smart Card. It also allows application development using the Java™* language, making it easy to design and develop Smart Card applications.

The new OS uses both contact and contactless communication interfaces so it can be widely used in existing Smart Card environments, such as banking and electronic payment systems, and helps to reduce the burden of developing new infrastructure.

SHARP will expand its range of business by entering the security and personal identification markets that help protect personal and business information in this networked age. SHARP will also aggressively propose multiple applications for these Smart Cards by making the most of their large memory capacity and their contact contactless interface.

SHARP representatives will also be available to discuss Smart Card technologies at the 13th Annual CardTech/SecurTech Conference and Exhibition, May 13-15, 2003 in Orlando, Fla., booth #1452.

About Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas
Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas, Camas, Wash., is a U.S.-based company and a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas offers breakthrough memory, LCD, Opto, CCD, RF/IR, microcomputer and System-on-Chip components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout North and South America bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design. For more information, visit www.sharpsma.com.

*Java Card™ and Java™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact:
Marion Margiotta
Young & Roehr Group
503-222-0626 ext. 715
mmargiotta@young-roehr.com