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11 March 1996

Hitachi, Ltd. will support the Mondex electronic cash system by making available a full range of systems and system products in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and other countries where Mondex is being or will be used. Mondex is expected to play a central role in the burgeoning field of electronic commerce (EC) in the 21st century.

The company's involvement in Mondex will be introduced at the Hitachi Mondex Fair '96, an event that will give a sense of what financial activities will be like when electronic cash is in general use.

     

 HITACHI' DEVICES FOR MONDEX



(1)  Key Fob

   Has an LCD screen that displays the current value balance stored 

on Mondex cards inserted in the reader slot.



(2)  Electronic Wallet

   Lets cardholders lock and unlock their card, change PIN 

numbers, and read the balance and recent transaction information 

stored on the Mondex card's chip. Two reader slots for normal size 

cards enable exchange of value between card holders.



(3)  E-Wallet With Internal/External Modem

   This wallet includes either an internal or external modem 

which conveniently allows remote transactions.  The Electronic 

Wallet directly connects to a phone line through an RS232C port 

for Mondex money transactions with a remote party.



(4)  Mondex Telephone

   Allows the user to perform Mondex money transfers, making 

24-hour home banking a reality.  This telephone transfers Mondex 

value from the home to other remote parties such as banks, 

retailers, and other individuals. Two card slots enable 

person- to- person money transfers. The telephone is equipped with 

a large display, telephone functions keys, and Mondex function keys.



(5)  Value Transfer Terminal

   This terminal is specifically designed for rapid securing and 

transferring of value in a retail environment.  Its compact 

design incorporates a display and receipt printer, and its small

footprint ensures it fits easily into existing checkout 

arrangements.



(6)  Card Reader/Writer With Modem for PC

   A PCMCIA Card Reader and a PCMCIA Modem Card Reader allow 

Mondex money transactions via a PC.  Both have a built-in Mondex 

card slot for Mondex money functions, enabling personal account 

management through a PC.



(7)  Value Control and Management System

  This system serves as a Mondex Transaction Control Terminal, 

linking the existing accounting systems of banks with the Mondex 

Value Box which implements the card to card transactions on which

the Mondex protocol is based.  The system's software regulates 

each transaction, relaying verification of cardholders' requests 

and credit balance from the accounting system to the Mondex Value

Box.



(8)  Mondex Value Box

   The Mondex Value Box assists banks in serving Mondex users 

holding bank accounts.  The Value Box acts as a "money safe," 

consisting of either 16 or 32 cards containing stored Mondex 

money value.  A sophisticated banking system is used to regulate

these transactions.  This terminal contains the Mondex Value 

Box with the embedded Mondex cards, along with Mondex computer 

software regulating each transaction.

* MONDEX is a trademark of National Westminster Bank Plc. of the United Kingdom.