"Contactless" convenience with Sony FeliCa
Today, wherever you go, whether at train stations or at convenience stores, you see people enjoying the ease of making payment simply by holding an IC card over a reader/writer. This "contactless" convenience is made possible by Sony FeliCa contactless IC card technology. Placing the card over a reader/writer activates high-speed data transmission to rewrite the data to the card. The card is suitable for high volumes of transactions, making it environmentally friendly. With its high-security system, FeliCa is used in a wide variety of ways, such as in ticketing systems for public transportations, e-money, and residence door keys. The name FeliCa comes from the word "felicity", suggesting that the technology is destined to make our daily lives more convenient and enjoyable.
Features
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Fast transactions
An IC chip and antenna are embedded in each FeliCa card, enabling each transaction to be completed in approximately 0.1 sec, simply by holding the card over a compatible reader/writer. As it is contactless, users can enjoy the ease of using the card without having to remove it from a wallet or purse.
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A single card for multi-usage
Functions in the card equivalent to files and folders allow a single card to offer multiple services. An employee ID card can also be used as an access card for office entrance as well as PC login. It can even be used as an e-money card for payment
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High security
The FeliCa system has achieved ISO/IEC 15408 EAL6+ security level (the latest FeliCa IC chip), the international criteria to measure the security level of a system. Important data such as the remaining balance of the card, information for e-money or personal authentication are protected from malicious attacks.
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Flexibility in shape
In addition to card format, FeliCa technology can be used in a variety of form factors, such as mobile phone or coin-type tokens. FeliCa can also be incorporated into wristwatches or key holders.
FeliCa is all around us
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As IC card transit tickets
The key features of FeliCa technology help to satisfy the challenging requirements for transit IC tickets in public transportation, thus FeliCa cards are widely used as transit tickets for railway and bus services in Japan and other countries in Asia.
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As e-money
FeliCa is used in the e-money services widely deployed in the market, at convenience stores, shopping malls and vending machines, and for Internet shopping. The stores also benefit from the efficiency of quick e-money payment.
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As e-ID
FeliCa is utilized as IDs such as students cards and employee cards. A FeliCa-based ID makes it possible to manage attendance and access facilities, as well as to make cashless payment at the venue. These days, the technology is also adopted as residential access control for condos, and IC tag management for distribution systems.
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As e-tickets and membership cards
FeliCa is used for boarding passes to streamline the boarding process for domestic flights in Japan. A passenger can immediately board a plane simply by placing an IC card or mobile phone with FeliCa on the terminal at the boarding gate. Other use cases include membership for retail stores and sports clubs.
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For electronic application
Various electronic application services have been launched for simplifying and streamlining processes. The NFC reader RC-S300 enables you to streamline complicated processes, such as tax returns, travel expense reimbursement and login authentication for telecommuting.
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For CE, IoT
NFC/FeliCa offers a simple wireless method for authorization between devices as well as data collection and exchange with a single tap. We will continue to create and incorporate the convenience of "contactless" into your lifestyle for making your lives easier.
