Abstract: The invention concerns a data compaction method and system for an intermediate program. The method consists in searching the program (1000) for identical sequences (Si) and counting Ni number of occurrences of each sequence (Si), a comparison test (1001) to find the superiority of a function f(Ni) to a reference value enables to generate (1003) a specific instruction of a specific code (Ci) with which the sequence (Si) is associated, replacing (1004) each occurrence in the sequence (Si) by the specific code (Ci) in the intermediate program to create a compacted intermediate program (FCC) with which an executing file (FEX) is associated. The invention is applicable to multiple application portable objects such as microprocessor cards, onboard systems of the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart integrated circuit. This smart integrated circuit is characterized in that it has a main processor (1) and an operating system executing a main program (P1) for constituting a main task-performing process, at least one secondary processor (2) capable of concurrently executing at least one secondary program (P2) for constituting at least one task-performing process, power supply circuits (6) common to the processors and means for ensuring that the secondary processor or processors with similar power and different operating signatures are executed concurrently with the main process by continuously or intermittently inducing, in the power supply circuits, power disturbances that are superimposed on those of the main process so as to produce a continuous or intermittent scrambling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating one (Ai) of the applications (Ai-An) of an on-board or embedded system, particularly of a chip card (2a) connected to a terminal (1) equipped with a reader, by means of a “web” browser. The terminal (1) and the chip card (2a) each comprise, in addition to the conventional protocol layers (101-102) corresponding to the ISO 7816 standards, a specific layer (13, 23a). The latter comprises intelligent agents (132, 231a1) for establishing two-way data exchange sessions, enabling the chip card (2a) to offer a “web” server functionality. In addition, the chip card (2a) comprises intelligent agents (ATS1-ATSn) called script translators that interact with the applications (Ai-An), making it possible to activate a selected application (Ai) using conventional commands corresponding to the ISO 7816 standards. In a variant of embodiment, provisions are made for a dynamic updating of the chip card (2a), particularly from the browser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protocol for exchanging data between applications of a portable multi-application object, such as a microprocessor or smart card. An internal communications interface is implanted in the nonvolatile memory of the smart card. Given a message sending command and message reception command, a source application attribute (E-ID) is assigned a) to an application, and a target application attribute (R-ID) is assigned b) to at least one other application. The exchange of information messages (MSG) c) is done between source and target applications by means of the communications interface used as an intermediary. The invention is applicable to the management of portable multi-application objects, such as processor cards, PCMCIA cards, or the like.

Abstract: A method and architecture for communication between a terminal (1) and a smart card, said terminal being operatively connected to a smart card reader (3) and a data transmission network (RI). The terminal includes an initial stack of network (RI) access protocol which consists of a specified number of communication software layers (C1-C4). The said smart card (3) and said smart card reader comprise second and third protocol stacks, each consisting of at least lower order software communication layers (CC2-CC1, CCa2-CCa1), in order to allow data exchange between the smart card and said terminal (1). In a first preliminary phase, a first specific software item (23a) smart card (2a) functions as an interface for the lower layers (CCa2-CCa1) of the third protocol stack and with at least one application (24a) registered in the smart card (2a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing data transmissions via an internet network (RI) between calling (Aa) and called (Ab) subscribers and also an associated smart card. A card (2a) cooperates with a terminal (1a) and has client/webserver (SWEB), CGI and proxy (27a) functions. The proxy function is used for the signaling channels (CS) and data channels (CD). The terminal (1a) and the card (2a) include specific communication protocol layers that make it possible to establish sessions for bidirectional transmission between them and/or with the internet network (RI). The smart card (2a) stores applications associated with protocols for listing (900a) and for locating subscribers (901a), as well as subscriber profiles (903a). It plays the role of a proxy in the signaling channel (CS) and/or data channel (CD).

Abstract: The invention relates to a chip card (21) including an information processing means and main information storage means, which operates to load and unload a programmable memory as a function of the need for the program run by the card and for applicative data. The processing means comprises a means for detecting, during the operation of the chip card, that the main storage means contain a quantity of information such that the execution of an operation is not possible. The chip card also includes a means for selecting, in the main storage means, a set of information (K) to be unloaded. The unloading of the set of information (K) releases enough space in the main storage means to allow the execution of the operation. Also included is a means for unloading the set of information (K) to be unloaded into secondary storage means (23 through 25), in the event that the secondary storage means does not contain the set of information to be unloaded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a secret-key cryptographic calculation process for protecting a computer system against physical attacks, wherein a) the standard cryptographic calculation process is separated into several distinct, parallel process parts using partial intermediate results distinct from those of the standard calculation, and b) the final value of the standard cryptographic calculation is reconstructed from the distinct partial intermediate results. The invention is particularly applicable to computer systems such as embedded systems such as a smart card.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for storing and using sensitive information in a security module and to a security module arranged to implement the process, and protect the sensitive information against fraudulent utilization. The sensitive information ISj is stored in a form {overscore (ISj)} encrypted using a temporary encrypting protection key CPi, whose content varies over time. The sensitive information {overscore (ISj)} is decrypted before being used in a given operation, using a temporary decrypting protection key CPid. Before the contents of the encrypting and decrypting keys are varied, the sensitive information {overscore (ISj)} is decrypted with the current decrypting key, and then it is re-encrypted with the new encryption key to obtain a new encrypted form, different from the previous one.

Abstract: A process for protecting accesses to at least one server (30) is characterized in that it makes it possible to protect accesses originating from user stations (2) whose destination is at least one application server through a network (42) using a multisession, multiport telecommunication protocol, said process consisting of a step for the systematic establishment of a parallel security session between the user station (2) and a security processor (1) interposed between the user station to be protected during application sessions and the server or servers (30) to be protected and a step for the cyclic initiation of security sessions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a card (7) reading device (1) comprising a housing (10) equipped with a keyboard (5), a display unit (4), a slot (8) for inserting a card (7) into the housing (10) and a cover (2) adapted to be pivoted between an open and closed position for protecting the keyboard (5) and the display unit (4), when in the closed position. The cover (2) includes an integral flap (6) and is attached to the housing (10) by an articulating element (3) that allows it to pivot between the closed position and open position and be brought into position underneath the housing (10) in the open position. The flap (6), which covers the insertion slot (8) when the cover (2) is closed, serves as a support base when in the open position to incline the housing (10) when the reading device is placed on a support surface such as desk or table.

Abstract: A chip card includes a body of electrically insulating layers, one of which carries an open loop antenna having two ends. The body is equipped with a cavity for housing a micromodule adapted for connection to the antenna by two terminals. The micromodule includes an insulating substrate carrying, on a first side, a semiconductor component, and on a second side, several electrical contact pads. Two of the contact pads are disposed in a strip running through a center region of the substrate. The terminals are connected to the two contact pads through the substrate, and the two pads are respectively connected to ends of the antenna.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a predetermined image by means of a device (40) and a portable object (8), the device including data processing means, data memorizing means, and image processing means, and the portable object including data processing means, data memorizing means, a through window, and display means (17) capable of displaying an image in the window. The method comprises: placing the window of the portable object before the image processing means of the device in such a way that they cooperate optically with one another; producing a first image in the window; causing a second portable object image to be displayed by the display means of the portable object; and obtaining the predetermined image by superpositioning the first image and the second portable object image, one over the other, to obtain the predetermined image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for modifying code sequences written into a first memory (2) of a medium. A central processing unit (1) executes code sequences and the first memory contains a main program comprising at least one code sequence executable by the central processing unit (1). The first memory also comprises a second, programmable nonvolatile memory (3), and a third working memory (4). A branch table TAB_DER contained in the second programmable memory contains at least one field containing reference data for a new code sequence stored in one of the memories. Branching instructions allow a deferred branch from the executed code sequence to the new code sequence written into one of the three memories. Instructions in the new code sequence allow the return to a point of the code sequence executed before the branch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for securely comparing two main storage registers, comprising defining an auxiliary storage register (A), calculating a first sum of the words composing the auxiliary storage register, comparing the words of the two main storage registers, randomly selecting one of the words of the auxiliary storage register, and modifying the value of the selected word by a first predetermined value if said words of the main storage registers are identical, and modifying the value of said selected word by a second predetermined value if said words of the main storage registers are different, calculating a second sum (SA2) of the words of the auxiliary storage register, and modifying the second sum by a value equal to said first value multiplied by the number of words (n) of the main storage registers, and comparing said first and second sums (SA1, SA2). The invention also relates to the associated security module.

Abstract: Terminal equipped with an application program, with at least one output constituted either by a display, or by a printer, or by a communications network, or by a portable object, and cooperating with a portable object equipped with a non-volatile memory area (ZD) containing data, and comprising a reader which communicates with said portable object, characterized in that the device comprises means for reading or storing, in its memory, self-diagnostic or supervisory data (Ti, Dj, Sk) and means for sending said data to outputs (1-4) specified as a function of information supplied by the self-diagnostic or supervisory data following the execution of at least one task Tt of its application program in connection with the portable object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate for an electronic circuit (9), the electronic circuit carrying at least one contact pad, the substrate comprising an insulating element (3, 12) housing the electronic circuit and carrying, on an external side, a conductive layer defining at least one contact region (7, 8), said contact pad being connected to said contact region. The substrate comprises at least one fragile zone (5, 6) disposed in the insulating element (3, 12). The electronic circuit substrate may be constituted by a chip card wherein an external readable button contains the electronic circuit. The chip card may cooperate electrically with a card reader.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the secure processing of a sensitive logical element (S2) in a storage register (30) containing several words (31-38), each formed of several logical elements (L1-L8, S1-S8). The process comprises: defining a first auxiliary word containing several logical elements randomly defining the position of a sensitive word (36) among the words of the storage register, which is intended to store the sensitive logical element (S2), and within the sensitive word, the position of the sensitive logical element among the logical elements of the sensitive word, the other words (31-35, 37, 38) of the storage register constituting decoy words; and using the first auxiliary word to select the sensitive word (36) and storing the sensitive logical element (S2) in its position within the sensitive word.

Abstract: A terminal includes a memory in which is stored an application program and further includes at least one output constituted either by a display, or by a printer, or by a communications network, or by a portable object. The terminal cooperates with a portable object such as a “smart card”, which includes a non-volatile memory area (ZD) containing data. The terminal includes a reader which communicates with the portable object and is characterized in that there is provided a mechanism for reading or storing self-diagnostic or supervisory data (Ti, Dj, Sk) in the terminal memory and a mechanism for sending the data to outputs (1-4) of the terminal specified as a function of information supplied by the self-diagnostic or supervisory data following the execution of at least one task Tt of the application program operating in connection with the portable object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a card reading device for communicating with a portable data medium (2) such as a credit card or smart card. The reader included at least one first electrical contact (44) that cooperates with at least one second electrical contact (24) of the portable data medium through a connector (3). The connector (3) comprises a sheet (31) having at least one area forming a first conducting element (34) disposed so as to cooperate with each of the first and second contacts (24, 44) of the portable data medium and reader. The device comprises a first applicator for applying a compressing force to the contacts (24, 44) in order to press the first conducting element (34) against each of the first and second contacts (24, 44) and for discontinuing the application of the force in order to move the first conducting element (34) away from the contacts (24, 44). The first conducting element (34) comprises an electrically conductive mass made of elastomer.