FAQ Q1: What does UltraCard offer? UltraCard has developed a portable, low cost, durable, high-security, high-storage capacity read/write media. UltraCard’s magnetic media stores vastly more information than current magnetic stripe and smart card technologies at significantly lower cost. Q2: Is the UltraCard technology a new concept? UltraCard has not invented new core technology. It has improved on existing technology by combining hard disk technology, the standard Mag stripe card, and the smart card chip with UltraCard’s patented technology to produce a revolutionary system for high security, high capacity portable data storage in a credit card format. UltraCard refers to this new technology as a “hard disk in your wallet.” Q3: What are the applications for the UltraCard? With the increased storage capacity offered by UltraCard, card vendors can include a variety of services that are impossible with current Smart Card technologies. For example, one UltraCard can store a cardholder’s entire medical history, including X-Rays and charts, which a physician can access locally or off-site. UltraCard can also be used in conjunction with the Internet for e-Commerce and anonymous purchasing. Card vendors will be able to create customer communities that can be accessed with UltraCard technology. Specific applications include but are not limited to: Banking and Finance (e-Commerce, Stored Value Cards, Transaction cards); Government (Government Assistance, Access Control, Security Cards, VA Benefits); Internet (Transaction card, Micro Payments, Private, secure transactions); Health Care (Patient Records, Emergency Information, Insurance Records, Pharmacy Transactions); Transportation (Mass Transit Payment Card, Parts Lists, Maintenance Records); ID Systems (Passports/Immigration, Valued Customer, Multiple Operations Systems); and Cell Phone and Phone Card applications such as portable personal numbers, web access and subscriber ID. Q4: Besides its high capacity, high security features, what makes UltraCard significantly different from a Smart Card? The UltraCard card is a high security, high storage capacity, portable read/write data storage media that will have 2,500 times the capacity of the standard smart card. In addition to its true security of data access, its most outstanding feature is its interoperability. It is adaptable to a universe of applications and carries card programs necessary to achieve total interoperability with all cards and readers. UltraCard’s interoperability and security features make it adaptable to diverse applications in markets such as Finance, Government, the Internet, Health Care, Transportation, ID Systems and many other applications. Q5: Why is UltraCard better than a Smart Card? The proposed use of Smart Cards will require several megabytes of data storage yet the storage size of the Smart Card EEPROM memory is limited to 32 to 64 KB and any increase in storage capacity greater than 64 KB will be extremely expensive and difficult to obtain. The UltraCard technology addresses this issue. Q6: Describe the UltraCard manufacturing process. During its manufacturing process, UltraCard applies proprietary media to a substrate that is inserted into a standard credit card format, thereby allowing additional technologies to be incorporated in the UltraCard including “smart chips” as well as the Mag stripe. The medium is fortified starting with a specially formulated base material followed by a layer of magnetic substrate topped off by a durable protective layer. The card’s magnetic recording area is located inside the card via a rectangular “shim” acting as a substrate. The shim inside the card results in the card acting like a protective cover. The shim is kept away from consumer access. There is total protection from physical damage caused by consumer handling and there is no dirt buildup on the shim, which will insure the card and reader will last longer before replacement or service. Another benefit is the shim does not encroach on any areas, which are currently used by magnetic stripe, signature blocks, logos, vendor names or smart card chips. Q7: How do you read and write to the UltraCard? UltraCard’s data storage card is inserted into a patented read/write device called the Ultradrive which reads from and writes to the Card only after verification of biometric or pin authorization codes. The UltraCard card and reader technology enable true data access security, Internet transactions and one on one communication, raising the bar in security, privacy and personal protection, optimum compatibility with PCs, Point of Sale devices, cellular phones and PDAs. The encryption library resides on the card itself which eliminates fraud and skimming and defeats hackers. The technology delivers non-repudiatable transactions through a combination of invisible card fingerprints, biometric recognition programs and embedded storage capacity that can accommodate FBI-level prints, Iris scans, photographs, X-rays, voiceprints and more. Q8: What are some of the features and benefits of UltraCard? • SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER MEMORY CAPACITY – The UltraCard currently provides 5MB of data storage on a single credit card format. By comparison, the most recently introduced Smart Card holds 64K of data. • FULLY EDITABLE – The UltraCard may be written on, edited and read just like the hard disk on your computer. • INEXPENSIVE READ/WRITE DEVICE – The UltraDrive is expected to be priced very competitively. • DURABILITY – Compared to competing technologies, the UltraCard is highly durable. UltraCard utilizes media that has a diamond like carbon (DLC) overcoat that make it many more times durable that standard magnetic strip media. • COMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING MAGNETIC STRIPE TECHNOLOGY – UltraCard technology can co-exist with both existing Mag stripe and smart card technologies on the same card. As a result, an UltraCard that integrates Mag stripe and smart card technologies can be used in conventional card readers. Further, UltraDrive readers are backward compatible with Mag stripe and smart card technologies. • HIGH LEVELS OF SECURITY – Facilitated by increased memory capacity, sophisticated encryption technology can be used on the UltraCard. This additional memory enables fingerprint, retina scan, voice recognition and other biometric encoding techniques to be recorded on the card. Proprietary magnetic layers over the media further enhance magnetic fields from being detected. Q9: Are there any companies that have access to the same or similar data storage technology? The UltraCard data storage technology is similar to standard hard drive technology but the incorporation of proprietary, patented and licensed technology sets UltraCard apart from any competitors. No other company can provide the combination of durability, portability and capacity that is offered by UltraCard. Q10: What is the composition of the magnetic medium? The composition of the magnetic medium is similar to that of hard disk drive media but the exact details of the material are proprietary. Q11: How sturdy are the cards and readers? The durability and endurance of the UltraCard technology is superior to that of conventional credit cards, Smart Cards, and optical media. UltraCard technology will outlast any of these technologies under normal credit card handling conditions. Q12: Do you see Smart Cards as a competitor? UltraCard has specific advantages over Smart Cards. UltraCard technology can store much more information than a Smart Card and it is significantly less expensive to produce an UltraCard than a Smart Card. In addition, the UltraCard is more durable and resists demagnetization. UltraCard takes advantage of the attributes of chip technology with its “Beyond Smart” card. Q13: How will consumers move from existing magnetic stripe cards and Smart Cards to UltraCard? UltraCard technology can co-exist with both existing magnetic stripe and Smart Card technologies on the same card. As a result, an UltraCard card that integrates magnetic stripe and Smart Card technologies can be used in conventional card readers. Further, UltraCard readers are backward compatible with magnetic stripe and smart card technologies. Q14: What is the mean access time? Currently, UltraCard can transfer data at approximately 3 Mb/s and expects to reach 7 Mb/s in the first linear reader product. A proposed rotational reader can read the card at least ten times faster than a linear reader and has storage capacity approaching several gigabytes. Q15: What is UltraCard’s overall manufacturing strategy? The development of cards and card readers will occur in the U.S. However, volume manufacturing will most likely occur offshore in countries with readily available drive manufacturing plants. It is a possibility that the cards could be produced in the U.S. Q16: How does UltraCard control who writes to the card? The technology incorporates strong encryption algorithms, biometrics and a number of other proprietary techniques to protect the card from unauthorized access. UltraCard is far more secure than magnetic stripe and Smart Card technologies. Q17: How does UltraCard address the privacy issue? There is sufficient data storage capacity available on the UltraCard which permits your personal data to be stored on a card that only you maintain control of, rather than storing your data on a hack-able website, as is the case with today's smart cards.