The very smart card: a plastic pocket bank

Article Abstract:

A 'very smart' credit card developed jointly by Visa International and Toshiba Corp provides a multitude of banking and record-keeping services without the peripheral support required by ordinary 'smart cards.' Field tests in Japan and the US began in Jun 1988. The CPU in these cards is a high-density VLSI circuit with low power dissipation containing an 8-bit microprocessor, 16K bytes of ROM, and 8Kbytes of data memory. Security is established mainly with an encryption algorithm. Users can instantly determine the credit (or funds) in their account, verify their identity and effect their transaction without on-line verification. The card also includes a clock, calendar and notebook functions, a keyboard interface, currency conversion, even hospital and insurance records.

Electronic Components and Accessories, Personal credit institutions, Electronics, Automation, Product introduction, Smart cards, Visa International Service Association, 8-Bit, New Technique, Smart Card

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From kana to kanji: word processing in Japan

Article Abstract:

The development of electronic word processing in Japan was a major challenge considering that Japanese characters number in the thousands. The Japanese word processor was not perfected until 1978, but by 1990 over two million units were being shipped each year. Research and development at Toshiba Corp resulted in the turning point for Japanese office automation. A standard-size keyboard was developed that could handle the 6,800 character codes that had been selected and defined by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) organization. The popularity of word processors has increased interest in developing voice-input word processors. One experimental processor can input 80 to 100 keystrokes per minute, compared to a normal typing speed of 60 strokes.

Electronic computers, Prepackaged software, Japan, Voice I/O equipment, Japanese language, Word processing, Voice I/O Device, Product Development, Character Generators

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The gathering storm in high-density compact disks

Article Abstract:

Two corporate teams are competing to develop the standard high-density CD-ROM format that will be used to offer high-resolution video to consumers. One team consists of Sony Corp. and Philips Electronics NV, and the other consists of Toshiba Corp. and Time Warner Inc. The technical differences between the teams' formats are detailed.

Time Warner Inc., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., TWX, Sony Corp., Videodisk players, Videodisc systems

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