Despite their seemingly unimportant role for the functioning of a certain device, activity lights are, in fact, extremely important, as they allow users to “know” that something's going on, that data is being transferred, for example. And that's exactly the reason a company called Oberthur Technologies has launched the Smart Lumiere light-emitting contactless card, an innovative Smart Lumiere light-emitting contactless card that emits light when it is entered in the field of a contactless reader to inform the cardholder when a transaction is taking place.

Available in both contactless-EMV and pure contactless configurations, the Smart Lumiere is comprised of a translucent plastic core, antenna and illuminating light apparatus. The device meets ISO 14443 dual interface contactless payment standards and provides numerous advantages, both for the card issuer and the card holder.

Issuers, for example, can easily customize the cards (color, sequence of the light, etc.) in order to create brand awareness and loyalty, while cardholders will be provided with a visual cue that their contactless payment transaction has taken place, which is also helping the bank reinforce trust in contactless as a secure, convenient and rapid way to pay.

"Smart Lumiere provides both issuers and their cardholders with an innovative payment device and a strong message to encourage adoption of contactless payment. It also offers issuers a way to differentiate their offering and win top of the wallet status." comments Frederic Chevreton, General Manager of the Payment Product Line, Card Systems Division, Oberthur Technologies. "These Sesames nominations reinforce Oberthur Technologies dedication to innovation in the payment industry."

The Smart Lumiere light-emitting contactless card from Oberthur Technologies is available as we speak for interested customers, which means that we might see such devices arrive on the market in the immediate future. And if these things prove to be successful, it's quite possible that other payment devices' manufacturers will follow this example as well.


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