Smart cards are also called chip cards or integrated circuit cards (ICC). It is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process or store data. They can be separated into two categories: memory cards and microprocessor cards. Memory cards contain only non-volatile memory storage components, while microprocessor cards contain a processor and can therefore process input data and generate specific output data.

Smart Card technologies are used in identification or access cards, the so called electronic purse, as straight memory medium for data storage or as secure devices like a SIM or SAM.

In the Swiss HVF implementation, a cost-effective memory chip card is used for the monthly data transfer from OBU to the operators back end. This is established by sending the card by post mail or via the internet from an office PC. Data is secured through use of end to end security based on RSA cryptography.