Abstract: Method for testing a terminal communicating with chip cards. The method has the steps of: identification data stored in the chip card is used to generate authentification codes both in the chip card and in the terminal after transmission thereinto of the identification data stored in the chip card, both authentification codes being generated with respective action codes using a stored algorithm; the authentification code generated in the chip card is transmitted to the terminal; the two authentification codes are compared in the terminal; and the identification data is displayed at the terminal when the two authentification codes, compared in the terminal, are identical.

Abstract: Proceeding on the basis of a mutual authentification of two subscribers, wherein for one user an authorization parameter is formed using a secret cipher and an implemented ciphering algorithm dependent on a random number transmitted from the other subscriber, the authorization parameter being transmitted back to the other subscriber as a check, a new starting value for the one user's own random number generator is formed by a logical operation on the authorization parameter using the previous random number most recently generated and stored at the one user, the new random number of this random number generator being both stored as well as transmitted to the other subscriber.

Abstract: Reader apparatus for chip cards. The reader apparatus has a reader station with at least one insertion opening for a chip card and is also equipped with a bidirectional drive and a contact device for reading the chip card. Respective inward transfer and/or outward transfer conveying channels are provided adjacent the insertion opening and adjacent a further opening of the reader station lying opposite the insertion opening. Each of the conveying channels has an outer opening, and a respective, bidirectional drive that is independent of the drive of the reader station, each of the drives having conveyor belts arranged in pairs. Controllable locks are also provided inside the reader station in the region of the two openings, these locks stopping the chip card in a read/write position, the chip card being supplied from the opening lying opposite the lock stopping the card.

Abstract: Dependent on a variable start value (s), a random number according to the relationship v=f (K;s) is generated from a ciphering algorithm (f) implemented in the microprocessor of the chip card and from a stored secret cipher (K). This random number can be intermediately stored in a register and, when generating a new random number, can be logically operated with a variable input quantity (for example, with the variable start value (s), to form a modified variable start value (s'), for use in establishing protected communications between the chip card and a user terminal having a chip card reader.

Abstract: A secret cipher (Ki) that is the same for all user terminals is formed of two sub-components (KTi, KT'i) whereof the one sub-component (KTi) is deposited in an erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). For the second sub-component (KT'i), an encoded data block (E(KT'i)) is transmitted from the outside to a decoder means (DEC) provided in the security module, the decoded output signal thereof being deposited as second sub-component (KT'i) in a first sub-area of a write-read memory (RAM) present in the security module of the user terminal. An overall cipher (Ki) is calculated from the two sub-components (KTi, KT'i) and the result is deposited in a second sub-area of the write-read memory (RAM).

Abstract: A random number (v) generated in a customer chip card (KK) selects individual program parts (Pv) from the sensitive program data (P) for the data flow control, selecting these both in the customer card as well as in a customer terminal (KT). A respective authentication code (PACv) is formed from these program parts (Pv) with the assistance of an authentication algorithm (f) and of a secret cipher (KPC) and, finally, the authentication code (PACv) calculated in the customer chip card (KK) and the authentication code (PACv) calculated in the customer terminal (KT) are checked for identity in a comparison means (COMP) provided in the customer card (KK).