Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions and their Answers

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the PC Pay® system and their answers. If you would like to submit a question of your own, Click Here..

How does the PC Pay device connect to an IBM computer?

The model PC2000 PC Pay device simply connects between the keyboard and keyboard input of an IBM PC. Just disconnect your keyboard from you PC and plug it into the PC Pay device, then take the cable from the PC Pay device and plug it into the keyboard input of the PC. However, the PC Pay device can also be connected directly to the PS/2 port of a laptop computer without the need for an external keyboard. Our model PC4000 device also provides an interface to the RS-232 serial port of a PC.

........... IBM Computer Specifications

How much does the PC Pay developer kit cost?

The price of the PC Pay developer kits very depending on which developer kit is ordered and if we are running a special offer. Please see our developer kit ordering page for the current price of each kit.

........... Developer Kit ordering.

How much does each PC Pay device costs?

This answer varies with volume, but for less than 10 ordered the price is $149 each; with very large volumes, the price can be less than $50 each.

........... sales@innovonics.com

What type of encryption is used in the PC Pay device?

Data Encryption Standard (ANSI X3.92) is currently used.

........... Security Specifications

What type of encryption key management is used in the PC Pay device?

Three types of encryption key management are currently supported with more anticipated in the future. The three key management schemes are Unique Key Per Terminal, Derived Unique Key Per Transactions, and Master/Session key management. We also use Master/Session key management to perform a triple DES encryption on the magnetic stripe of standard credit and debit cards in our model PC2000-105 and model PC4000-105 devices.

........... Security Considerations
........... Security Specifications

Who are Innovonics customers?

Innovonics has over 250 OEM customers that include banks, ATM networks, Internet Cafes, System Integrators, Computer and Software Companies in over 40 countries. Here is a partial list of countries where Innovonics already has customers: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Mongolia, Canada, USA, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

........... Corporate Usage.

Which banks plan to use the PC Pay system for facilitating secure home banking?

Many banks have been incorporating into their home banking plans to use the PC Pay system, however due to confidentiality agreements, Innovonics is not at liberty to disclose the names of these banks at this time.

........... Corporate Usage.

When will the PC Pay system be in use for home banking?

This is a difficult question to answer because it will depend on many corporations typically involved in bringing a complete home banking/bill pay system online; however, we believe that by 2000 a home banking systems will operate on-line and use our very secure hardware encryption for authentication. Additionally, with hacker programs such as Back Orifice that can be used to intercept PC keystrokes (e.g. passwords, etc.) we anticipate the need for hardware encryption will become a standard for online authentication.

........... Home and Personal Usage.

Do you have any competitors?

Software-only encryption solutions can possibly be considered competitors. We, however, consider software-only encryption solutions as possible customers, especially of our smart card PC Pay device (model PC2000™ and model PC2200™) to store the private encryption key in a secure smart card. Furthermore, Innovonics holds many patents on the PC Pay technology around the world, and has many more patents pending around the world.

Do you have customers planning to use your devices for eCommerce?

Yes. In fact, we have customers planning to rollout major eCommerce systems with our products to offer "point-of-entry" secure credit card, debit card, and smart card transactions. In the summer of 1998 Innovonics PC Pay device was already being used to load eCash to a smart card via the Internet and a bank ATM network. We believe the smart card will become very popular for eCommerce small transactions, while debit cards for everyday midsize transactions and credit cards for larger eCommerce transactions. Our readers have already been used to recharge smart cards with eCash via the Internet and an ATM network! This will be a very important feature for eCommerce shoppers.

........... IBM Computer Specifications
........... Macintosh Computer Specifications

Who manufactures the PC Pay device?

Manufacturing is currently being done in Phoenix, Arizona by at least two subcontractors. Additionally, Innovonics plans large-scale manufacturing will be done by manufacturing companies that can offer large-scale high-quality manufacturing capabilities to build the PC Pay device.

........... AMP and Innovonics press release.

Name:

eMail Address:

Your Question:

Visit Innovonics Inc.

Overview Menu

Overview of the Module | Specifications | Questions and Answers

PC Pay Homepage

Site Administration:

Other Languages | Innovonics Online Main Menu | Site Map and HELP!
Comments or Suggestions | Submit a Problem Report

Administered by: webmaster@innovonics.com

Submit a Question

Visit Innovonics Inc.