ASEDrive IIIe MT, based on the performance leading ASEDrive IIIe smart card reader core is a multi-functional motorized smart card reader

Tokyo, Japan April 26, 2004 -- Athena Smartcard Solutions, an affiliate company of Aladdin Knowledge Systems (NASDAQ: ALDN) and a leading provider of smart card readers and smart cards, today announced the release of ASEDrive IIIe MT USB/Serial.

ASEDrive IIIe MT, based on the performance leading ASEDrive IIIe smart card reader core is a multi-functional motorized smart card reader. Supporting both USB and Serial communication, with automatic switching, the ASEDrive IIIe MT is the first motorized smart card reader which is fully compliant with PC/SC in both the Windows and Linux environments and supports all ISO 7816 CPU smart cards and the popular memory cards.

In addition to industry leading smart card read/write performance, the ASEDrive IIIe MT features relays for control of external devices, communication inputs and output, all controlled via standard PC/SC commands.

The ASEDrive IIIe MT is based on an extremely reliable motorized chassis, which is well tested under harsh environmental conditions, in installations world-wide including in bank ATMs, parking lots, vending machines and computer kiosks.

All Athena products are made in Japan and are supported worldwide by Athena's professional distributor network. Athena products are also available from Athena's web site at: www.athena-scs.com .