Cherry GmbH presents the first USB keyboards with integrated contactless chip-card reader

Auerbach, March 28th 2008 – Cherry GmbH, leading worldwide manufacturer for special applications, presents four new USB keyboards with integrated contactless chip-card reader and additional functions at this year's CeBIT in Hanover, along with a 3-track magnetic card reader. NFC is regarded as the technology of the future in the mobile and telecommunication industry, as well as in the field of chip manufacture. Chipcards integrated into company IDs with various card applications serve as an entry key through the electronic gate to the company building, as a means of cash-free payment in the company canteen and for authentication on the company PC. The integration of the contactless card reader in the keyboard replaces the separate card reader on the desk. In the case of the MultiBoard G81-8070 LUV, the keyboard is also equipped with a 3-track magnetic card reader. The SmartBoard Twin G83-6675  combines contactless and contact reader technology in one keyboard, making it particularly flexible for a variety of card applications. G81-8070 and G81-8072 – multifunctional, programmable USB keyboards with CardMan 5121 or CardMan 5125 contactless module

Both MultiBoards come equipped with mechanical individual keys designed for long-term use. The tried-and-tested FTSC technology guarantees a service life of 50 million confirmations per key.

The USB 2.0 keyboards can be programmed either physically via the integrated memory or using the Cherry Tools software via software macros. The optional function of recording statistics is also possible via WMI (Windows-Management-Instrumentation). On request, both MultiBoards can be equipped with high-power downstream ports. The MultiBoard G81-8070 comes with a contactless chipcard reader in accordance with ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693 and is therefore compatible with Omnikey CardMan 5121. When connecting the keyboard via USB 2.0 Full Speed, the transmission speed of the contactless reader is 12Mbps to the PC and up to 424 Kbps to the card. The CardMan 5125 contactless module integrated into the MultiBoard G81-8072 supports 125 kHz HID proximity cards, ensuring that existing contactless cards can still be used following integration into new applications.

G81-8070 LUV – One for all
As an expansion of the G81-8070, the MultiBoard G81-8070 LUV comes with a 3-track magnetic card reader in addition to the integrated contactless chipcard reader. The headers and terminators of the magnetic card reader can be programmed freely for each magnetic card track and the task sequence of the tracks can be freely selected. Card data can be filtered and replaced. A hex code expanded via programming guarantees increased security when processing cards. An acoustic signal can be activated as desired to signalize successful or unsuccessful reading of the magnetic card. The magnetic head reads with a speed of 8 – 318 cm/s at 30 Bit/cm or 8 – 127 cm/s at 83 Bit/cm up to one million reading cycles.

SmartBoard Twin – USB keyboard with integrated contactless and contact chipcard reader in one card slot.
The contactless card reader of the SmartBoard Twin G83-6675 is compatible with ISO 14443 A and B chipcards, ICAO compliant and supports the protocols T= CL and Mifare. The contact chipcard reader in accordance with ISO 7816 is controlled via PC/SC and is compatible with EMV 2000 Terminal Level 1 and CCID. As a Class 2 reader, it comes equipped with secure PIN entry. In this way, the chipcard reader guarantees that the PIN is transmitted directly to the chipcard without being diverted via the PC, therefore offering secure protection against Trojans. The contact and the contactless chipcard readers can both be controlled via CTApi.