(May 15, 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 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, 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.