Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the making of chip cards, wherein the entire manufacturing method is carried out on a standard format card, and then a chip card with a smaller format than the standard format is cut out from this card.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards with several integrated circuits for personal computers. These PC-cards are used as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. To protect the content of these PC-cards against unauthorized use, the invention proposes the incorporation into the card (CC) of a specific security integrated circuit chip (MPS), which performs a clearance function for access to the memory chips (MEM). A microcontroller (MPC) also placed in the card communicates with the computer and with the security circuit. It makes the security chip validate a confidential code introduced from the computer, while also supplying memory chip control signals as a function of the validation result.

Abstract: Process for producing an electronic card comprising a micromodule inserted in the card body, wherein one layer of the body contacting the micromodule is of polymerized plastic material. A mixture containing a low viscosity liquid monomer is spread on a substrate used for producing the card and the polymerization of the monomer is initiated with a polymerization initiator. The process is particularly useful for the production of microcircuit cards such as contactless cards and advantageously uses an acrylic or methacrylic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards having several integrated circuits for personal computers.These memory or PC-cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In order to improve the possibilities of these cards, it is proposed that to them be added a microprocessor (MPC) and the direct wiring of the operational bus (BD2) of said microprocessor to the card memory (MEM). In this way, a card is obtained which contains in direct form performable programs previously loaded by the computer (PC) in which has been inserted the card. Thus, the microprocessor functions not only with an internal set program memory, but also with performable programs loaded into the card by the computer and which can therefore be modified at random (provided that the user clearance procedures are respected).

Abstract: Microprocessor-based cards use application programs contained in a non-volatile user memory (MU), under the control of an operating system in a read-only memory (MSYS). To provide flexibility and security of access to the various memory zones without using a specific rigidly fixed circuitry, it is proposed that the memory access instructions of the application programs (PG1, PG2, PG3) should be interpreted and not performed directly. The interpreter is in the read-only memory (MSYS) or in the user memory and it carries out an access instruction as follows: it explores a reserved zone (ZR) of the user memory to find out if the requested access (access for reading, writing or performance) is cleared for the requested address. It performs the instruction only if the clearance is present. The reserved zone (ZR) which contains these clearances is updated during the writing, in the user memory, of a new application program. The updating can be done only by the operating system.

Abstract: The invention provides a prepaid smart card to be used in a wireless telephone network, and methods for prepaying for wireless telephone services, as well as systems for operating a wireless telephone network with prepaid smart cards. The cards, methods and systems permit the use of wireless telephones anonymously, and/or the payment by a user without having a subscription. The invention requires minimal changes to the existing wireless telephone and wireless telephone network, yet provides security against abuse or fraudulent use of the telephone system. Additionally, promotional material may be provided with the prepayments, and persons may prepay into a subscriber's telephone.

Abstract: A smart card has a repository having a first data element and a value added function. The card further has an operating system having a data element access function for sequencing to said repository and a microprocessor for executing said data element and said value added function in accordance with said access function.

Abstract: To simplify the manufacture of terminals for the use of chip cards, the system is designed so as to place a minimum set of instructions in these terminals and to transfer the storage of complementary instructions pertaining to uses of greater complexity and/or pertaining to the chip card into the chip card. To bring about the performance of these complementary instructions, an address designating an instruction of a complementary set is stored in a reserved memory of the chip card. The microprocessor of the chip card is furthermore provided with a microprogram enforcing the performance of an instruction thus designated as soon as it is detected that the reserved memory has been designated by an instruction of an elementary set of instructions of this microprocessor. It is shown that it is possible, in this way, to simplify and rationalize the manufacture of very powerful terminals.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards with several integrated circuits for personal computers. These PC-cards are used as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. To protect the content of these PC-cards against unauthorized use, the invention proposes the incorporation into the card (CC) of a specific security integrated circuit chip (MPS), which performs a clearance function for access to the memory chips (MEM). A microcontroller (MPC) also placed in the card comnunicates with the computer and with the security circuit. It makes the security chip validate a confidential code introduced from the computer, whilst also supplying memory chip control signals as a function of the validation result.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory cards in which the writing mechanisms are controlled by a microprocessor.To improve the coherence of the data elements recorded in the non-volatile memory files, the invention proposes to provide for a possibility of grouped control of several write operations (addition, updating or elimination of recordings). The successive operations are performed by the recording, in a non-volatile transaction space (TS), of the data elements corresponding to the state of the memory before each operation (especially former chainings (A7/16) of chained recordings). Then, a command for the comprehensive validation of the N operations, or on the contrary a command for comprehensive invalidation, is carried out, a validation or invalidation of individual operations being not permitted.

Abstract: A secured system of remote participation in interactive games with verification of the chronology of events relies on the counting, by a secured microprocessor (for example a microcircuit card), of consecutive periods of time of which the first one (Tr12) is initialized by a cryptographically secured message sent by the transmitter and the last one (Tr25) is ended by a connection of the games machine to the central computer of the transmitter for the forwarding thereto of the answer.

Abstract: Encryption circuits and methods, in particular for smart cards, are disclosed. Smart cards without microprocessors may be authenticated very simply by using encryption with a secret card data table on which recursive cycles are executed. During each cycle, a word is read out of the table, said word being at an address that is at least partially defined by the word read out in the previous cycle. The new address preferably consists of several bits from the previous word and a bit from internal card data, external data supplied by a card reader, or a register containing a partial encryption result.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of communication between a fixed post and moving bodies that may arrive simultaneously in the radius of action of this post. This system uses an exchange protocol that begins with an initializing signal (INIT) common to the different moving bodies that arrive and continues with the transmission of an identification signal by each moving body, this transmission being done at the end of a duration (T+Nt) related to the value (N) of a part of an intrinsic specific code associated with the moving body, this duration being measured from the initialization signal. Preferably, the moving body transmits the beginning of its specific code, for example the first character of this code, followed by a random word having stipulated characteristics such that the terminal can detect whether several moving bodies have transmitted the same first character simultaneously. The post then asks them to transmit a second character in order to distinguish them from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to memory cards that can be plugged into personal computers.Personal computers often have a connector designed to receive a memory extension in the form of a plug-in integrated circuit card. The invention proposes a card structure designed for communications between the computer and the exterior (fax, model, etc.), this card being capable of being plugged into the memory extension connector without any need to change the operation protocol of this connector. The card has a connector (CNC) for connection to the computer, a connector (CNX) for connection with the exterior, an internal microprocessor (MP), a non-volatile memory (MNV) containing programs that can be performed by the microcomputer and containing organizational data relating to all the memories of the card, and a volatile memory containing at least one file used for the transfer of the data elements to be exchanged.

Abstract: Methods that enable the simple management of the unilateral exchanges of messages between a highly simplified set of transmitters and a single receiver, this transmission being done on a single channel.It consists in providing for the transmission, by the receiver (100), of the simplest possible binary signal indicating that the channel is busy as soon as a message from one of the transmitters is detected. Reception of said signal by the other transmitters (102-104) prevents them from transmitting. Risks of collision between messages from different transmitters are handled by a set of test (Tt) and standby (Tv, Ta, Tl) periods. The busy signal may be a simple modulated carrier in the case, for example, of microwave transmission.It provides for the efficient management of badge-based systems such as access control systems.

Abstract: In a checking system, notably for checking the identity of persons, the person to be checked is the bearer of a chip card containing a limited series of information elements constituting a codified representation of significant morphological characteristics of the card bearer's face. The checking station comprises a card reader for the preparing and presenting, on a screen, of a schematic image of the face on the basis of the codified information elements read in the card. It is then possible to make a comparison between the displayed face and the bearer's face, as well as between the displayed face and the bearer'photograph which may be attached to the card.

Abstract: A process to protect against tampering with integrated circuits. During manufacture, a secret code is written in a secret address (102) of a memory (101) of the integrated circuit and an internal logic (103-108) blocks writing into this portion of memory, the testing of the integrated circuit and the read-out of data. In order to unlock the integrated circuit, the secret address is read while applying a secret code to an input of the integrated circuit. A comparison (207) of the secret code as read and the secret code applied to the integrated circuit then either locks or unlocks the integrated circuit. This unlocking is done in irreversible manner. Thus, it is possible to transport integrated circuits between a manufacturer and a remote users, without fear of the circuits being stolen, because if stolen, they would be inoperable without the secret codes.

Abstract: In a machine for the color printing of cards, the different primary colors borne by the ribbon are deposited on the card by successive operations in which this card passes beneath the same thermal printer head by a series of back-and-forth motions. To this end, the primary colors of a sequence are separated by separators which are different from the indicators between each sequence, and these separators and indicators are detected by a detection device.

Abstract: A method of transaction replenishes a microprocessor-based card. The card computes a certificate of authenticity on the basis of data elements that it contains and that include the contents of its counter of the number of replenishment operations and its identification number. These data elements enable the card to verify its entitlement to be replenished. The card increments its counter of the number of replenishments. A replenishment terminal reads the identification number of the card and transmits to the card the data elements that pertain to it and that comprise the certificate of authenticity corresponding to it for the cycle in progress. The received certificate is compared with a certificate computed by the card. When the certificates are equal, the card accepts a replenishment of units.

Abstract: In a memory cell of an EEPROM or flash-EEPROM memory, the source and the drain of a floating-gate transistor forming the non-volatile memorizing device are connected together. It is shown that the capacitive behavior of the cell is then differentiated at the time of the reading depending on whether it is in a programmed state or in an erased state. This difference in behavior is used to differentiate the logic states.