SmartMetric, Inc. has developed a biometric activated credit/debit card that uses standard credit card readers and ATM's where the card is inserted into the reader as well as operating wirelessly using the credit and debit card readers RFID reading capability. Credit and debit cards that are used in the standard credit card reader where the user puts the credit card into a physical slot on the card reader is called a contact card. A credit and debit card that isn't inserted into a card reader but rather is held over the top of the reader is called a contactless card.

This operates on an RFID emission from the reader that reads an internal RFID chip sitting inside the card. Cards that have both contact function as well as the non-contact function are called dual interface cards. The company has created a dual interface biometric fingerprint activated “dual interface” card that can be easily use across all credit and debit card reader types.

Further the company dual interface biometric card allows for multi sourced power and power recharging. When being used contactless by bringing the card into the proximity of a contactless card reader then the company card harvests power from the RFID electronic field being emitted from the card reader. This energy is used to power the cards internal processor used to perform the rapid sub one second biometric fingerprint match.

Importantly not only is the card powered through this wireless energy emission but excess power is harvested wirelessly to recharge the cards internal battery.