The structural principle of Octopus

The Octopus system uses Sony's 13.56MHz FeliCa RFID chip and other related technologies. Hong Kong, China, is the first region in the world to use this technology in the public transportation toll collection system. Octopus's contactless smart card design allows users to conduct transactions by simply approaching the Octopus card reader, without requiring direct physical contact (such as inserting the entire card into the card reader). In terms of data transmission speed, 212 kbit messages are transmitted per second. The electronic money systems Mondex and Visa Cash, which have been eliminated by the Hong Kong market, are contact smart cards that can only transmit 9.6 kbit messages per second, so they will inevitably be replaced by Octopus.

The entire Octopus system was designed by ERG Trit Systems, a company headquartered in Perth, Australia. ERG is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the entire system.

[edit] How to use

Octopus operator on NWFB Octopus is a contactless smart card that is very convenient to use in electronic money. Whether trading or adding value, the operation is very simple.

[Edit] Transaction process

When paying with Octopus, the user only needs to put the Octopus card close to the reader, and the payment will be automatically deducted. Transaction time takes only 0.3 seconds on average. After the transaction is completed, the card reader will beep, and the display will show the amount deducted and the card balance. Usually when paying a discounted fare (such as child and senior citizen fares on buses), the "beep" tone will be higher. A higher-pitched and longer "beep" sound means that the transaction has not been completed and the red light of the reader will light up. Common reasons are that the card is not aligned with the reader and the balance at the time of transaction is equal to or lower than HK$0. , or the balance after the transaction will be lower than HK$-35.

The reader can automatically determine appropriate preferential charges, such as points schemes, transfer discounts and "subway station discounts", etc. Since Octopus is a contactless smart card, the reader can detect it even if it is separated by a few millimeters of ordinary materials (such as plastic and leather, etc.), so you only need to pick up your wallet, handbag or even put your clothes bag close to the reader , and can also conduct Octopus transactions.

[edit] Add value

Octopus value-added machines can be used to add value to Octopus in almost all stores equipped with Octopus readers, including "7.11" convenience stores, OK convenience stores, ParknShop Supermarket, Wellcome Supermarket, McDonald's, Maxim's, Café de Coral, Fairwood and other fast food restaurants. Value-added machines and ticket offices at all stations of the MTR, Kowloon-Canton East Rail and Kowloon-Canton West Rail, value-added machines and customer service centers at some stations of the Kowloon-Canton Light Rail, as well as customer services of KMB, New World First Bus and First Ferry (outlying island routes) Centers etc. also provide value-added services.

Each Octopus card can be stored with a maximum value of HK$1,000. In addition, even if the transaction amount is larger than the remaining value on the card, as long as the difference is not greater than HK$35, the transaction can still be carried out without adding value. In other words, the maximum negative stored value amount of an Octopus card is HK$35. This allows the card owner to still take most transportation or purchase goods in Hong Kong, China, even if the stored value is insufficient.

[edit] Applicable locations

The Octopus card reader of the Hong Kong Metro, China, is applicable to almost all public transport vehicles in Hong Kong, China, and some large chain stores, such as convenience stores, Fast food restaurants and supermarkets, etc. Many new vending machines in Hong Kong also accept Octopus payments, including pay phone booths and self-service cameras. In addition, some self-service photocopiers also support the use of Octopus charges, including most libraries of tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and district libraries of Hong Kong Public Library. Even travel insurance for trips to mainland China can be purchased using Octopus at some stations of the Kowloon-Guangzhou East Rail Link. Starting from August 14, 2006, Octopus can be used for payment at retail merchants in Shenzhen (currently only Foxwoods). Macau will also begin to accept Hong Kong Octopus for payment from December 10, 2006.

[edit] Discounts

When using Octopus, the Hong Kong MTR and Kowloon-Canton Railway will charge cheaper fares than single-way tickets. For example, when taking the Hong Kong MTR from Tung Chung to Chai Wan, the cost of using an Octopus is HK$23.10 and the cost of using a one-way ticket is HK$26. The total price is HK$2.90 cheaper.

Some modes of transport also provide fare discounts for Octopus users, but these discounts are not applicable to cash payments. For example, KMB, New World First Bus and Citybus offer exclusive Octopus discounts of 10% or 50% on same-day return journeys for routes with a fare of more than HK$15 or HK$10 per trip. In addition, Octopus transfer discounts between rail and other modes of transport, Octopus same-day return pass discounts for NWFB and Citybus, and Octopus short-distance two-way section charges on some routes of NWFB and Citybus are also some examples of Octopus discounts .

Different Octopus card readers are designed to operate with different discounts.

The card reader on the bus has four buttons, one is for same-day round-trip pass discounts, one is reserved for the proposed day pass discount, there is a cancel button, and there is a reserved space for joining the third discount. For minibuses and New Lantau Buses, the card reader has a button for two-way section fare collection. On some routes, passengers can select the appropriate section fare collection by pressing the button.

[edit] Octopus Return

Since the Octopus is one of the characteristics of Hong Kong, China, it has attracted a large number of tourists, including independent tourists from mainland China, to buy it as a souvenir. However, many tourists will return their Octopus cards before leaving Hong Kong, China. In order to cope with the huge administrative fees for refunds by tourists in the short term, starting from November 1, 2004, the Octopus Company will refund cards within 3 months of purchase. Users are charged HK$7 as a handling fee (a personal Octopus returned within 5 years is HK$10). The company also provides a "collector's edition" Octopus card, which is mainly targeted at tourists and other people who want to buy it as a souvenir collection.

[edit] Types and forms

Octopus is sold at all stations of the Hong Kong MTR and Kowloon-Canton Railway and at the airport. A deposit of HK$50 and a deposit of HK$20 are required when purchasing. to a prepaid ticket value of RMB 100. The deposit will be refunded when the Octopus card is returned. Generally, Octopus is anonymous and can be purchased without presenting identification documents. If the user loses this Octopus, he or she will only lose the stored value in the card, but not any other personal information. In addition to three types of general Octopus for people with different statuses, the Octopus Company also issues personal Octopus.

Different types of Octopus Type Color Price Face Value Rules of Use

Children HK$70 HK$20 Applicable to children aged between 3 and 11 years old. Children's Octopus can be used to enjoy half-price discounts on public transportation (except minibuses and some estate buses).

Students (no longer issued) HK$100 HK$50 Students aged 12 to 25 can enjoy discounts on the MTR when using this Octopus. It has been replaced by the Personalized Octopus (student identity version), and this card can now be used as an ordinary adult Octopus card.

Adult HK$150 HK$100 Suitable for people of any age.

Seniors HK$70 HK$20 The applicable age depends on the regulations of different merchants (the applicable age for Citybus is 60 years and above, and the applicable age for KMB is 65). If the senior citizen discount is not applicable, adult charges will apply.

Personal Not applicable Not applicable Personal Octopus requires registration and can have the user's photo printed on it. It is mostly used to enter facilities such as buildings, or to replace student Octopus.

Octopus has also developed other uses, such as student sign-in, personnel management and attendance, identification of housing estate residents, and suspect whereabouts tracking. Pictured is a card reader from Li Sheng Primary School.

[edit] Personal Octopus

The Personal Octopus is a non-anonymous Octopus card issued by the Octopus Company. The cardholder's name is printed on the card, and the cardholder's photo can also be printed. The cardholder's age is also stored to determine the age group (child, adult or elder). Student status requires a separate application. Qualified full-time students in Hong Kong, China, between the ages of 12 and 25 can apply. The Personalized Octopus has now replaced the regular version of the Student Octopus that has been discontinued. As of March 2005, there were 380,000 personal Octopus holders in total.

In addition to the basic functions of a regular Octopus, a personal Octopus can also be used as a key card to enter facilities such as residential and commercial buildings. When a personal Octopus is lost, the cardholder can report the loss immediately, and the card's operation will be frozen six hours after the loss is reported to prevent the card from being stolen. More than 50 secondary schools also use personal Octopus to record attendance at roll call and borrow books from the school library. The reader is composed of a control motherboard and a built-in antenna. It uses radio frequencies to transmit energy and data to the chip built into the card. The effective operating distance between the reader and Octopus card is generally in the range of 30mm to 100mm, and the actual distance depends on the model used. Data must be verified by strict security procedures and encrypted before being input or output.

Each reader is connected to the Octopus payment device and receives operation instructions from its control device to conduct transactions. Depending on whether the operation mode of the payment device is online or offline, the transaction data will be sent back to the service. The supplier's main computer may be stored in the charger. In any case, at the end of each working day, all transaction data will be sent to the Octopus Central Computer for processing and settlement.

The Octopus settlement system adopts strict business rules to check each transaction and conduct settlement. Each service provider receives a detailed settlement statement daily.

For details, see:

octopuscards/corporate/technology/tc/index.jsp,