Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system including at least one non-volatile memory containing information likely to be updated, and more particularly, to storage supports such as chip cards. The invention likewise relates to a process of management of the memory. According to the invention, the system includes a memory manager that is able to displace all or a portion of the contents of the memory respectively over all or a portion of the memory, in order to limit the attrition of memory cells due to the frequent updating of certain data.

Abstract: In a method for the production of a portable integrated circuit electronic device, an integrated circuit chip is transferred onto a dielectric support and connected to a metal grid comprising contact pads and connection pads. A housing is created for the chip on a metal grid by arching the grid. The dimensions of the housing enable the housing to accommodate the thickness of the card and the contact pads thereof. The grid is laminated on the dielectric support, whereby each contact pad of the card can be placed opposite to and in contact with the connection pads of the grid.

Abstract: The invention concerns the production of contactless transmission chip card, and particularly mixed cards operating with or without contact. The method for the reliable and efficient setting of an integrated circuit module (M) and of an inductive transmission antenna (A), consists in producing the module providing connection ranges for the antenna, making an antenna with a flat coiled wire, and soldering the ends of said antenna on the module ranges, then making a plastic wafer (30) provided with an opening, the bottom of this opening being closed by an adhesive film (34). The module and the antenna are set against the wafer, and maintained by the adhesive material at the bottom of the housing. Another wafer (40) is directly mounted on the assembly.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a terminal for chip cards which contain a micro controller. The chip card terminal contains a contact device for chip cards and an integrated keyboard unit and is connected with the interface of a computer system through a first data path, which allows a bi-directional exchange of data. Sufficient security is provided through the integrated keyboard by the fact that the chip card terminal contains a gate circuit, which is controlled by a control system. The gate is connected with the chip card through a contact device by means of a second data path, is connected with the integrated keyboard unit by means of a third data path, and is connected with the interface of a computer system by means of the first data path.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making an electronic device such as a smart card which includes at least a microcircuit embedded in a carrier medium and which includes exit hubs linked to interface elements composed of a terminal block and/or an antenna. The connections between the exit hubs and the interface elements are made by depositing a low-viscosity conducting substance which remains flexible after its application, using a syringe or similar device. Preferably, a polymer resin charged with conducting or intrinsically conducting particles is used for the connections.

Abstract: The invention features a public key cryptography method based on the discrete logarithm which computes a value Gkmod p. Two solutions are proposed to reduce the number of multiplications, one consisting in generating “hollow” k exponents with a few bits of value 1, but of sufficient length to maintain the total security of the system, and the other consisting of performing calculations of the powers of g in parallel while combining the exponents with each other in order to prevent repeating the same power computations twice for a given exponent. The invention is useful for generating digital signatures, authentication and encryption.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for an antenna (A) having the general shape of a loop, directly in the proximity of at least a metallic element (10). The invention is characterised in that each metallic element (10) comprises an orifice (18) arranged substantially opposite the surface defined by the antenna (A), and a slot (16) forming a gap width, arranged through the thickness of the metallic element (10), between the internal edge (21) delimiting the orifice (18) and the external edge (20) of said metallic element (10). The invention is applicable to scanners and radio frequency communication devices.

Abstract: A standard size smart card has a flat support with a slot in the support to define the boundary of a minicard attached to the support by lugs. Each lug has two types of grooves opposite each other so they provide sufficient resistance to bending and flexing. One of the grooves is configured so it starts to crack when the minicard is purposely subject to pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating at least one electronic module or label which is adapted to be rendered adhesive. The method includes the following steps: an insulative film is supplied including at least one contact and/or antenna type interface, and an adhesive tape is supplied including an activatable adhesive and a removable protective film. The tape includes at least one perforation corresponding to the area of the resin on the module or label. The adhesive tape is applied to the support film so that the perforation coincides with the area of the resin and the adhesive is activated so that it fixes the tape to the film. The coating resin is dispensed over the intended area at least within the perforation and in contact with the perforation. The invention also provides a method in which the activatable adhesive is deposited with no protection film.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the taking into account of bonus points, it is recommended that the reader which effects a transaction with an integrated circuit card (1) sends an identity (Ii) to this card. This identity enables the card to recognise (12) with which type of service provider or vendor it is dealing, and to implement a set of rules (5, 11) specific to this service provider or vendor or, failing that, standard rules of the card issuer. These rules calculate bonuses specific to this supplier. These bonuses are totalled in a counter (10, 13) also specific to this supplier.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic module that is designed to be fixed in an electronic device in the form of a card. The module includes a medium having at least a surface provided with contact pads and a microcircuit which is fixed on the medium and has exit hubs each connected to a medium contact pad. The connections between the exit hubs and the contact pads consist of a cord made of an adhesive conductive substance which conforms to the profile of the medium. Preferably, the conductive substance is a conductive isotropic adhesive.

Abstract: An electronic chip device includes an interface support film having a support film and at least one flat conductive interface placed on the support film, as well as a microcircuit connected to the interface. The interface support film possesses such properties that it can be creased or folded on itself without deterioration. The support film possesses a thickness of less than 75 &mgr;m, the best results being obtained with a thickness of between 10 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. Preferably the support film is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene teraphtalate (PET). In one embodiment, the device includes a compensation film placed on the support film. The compensation film has a recess containing the microcircuit and its connections. The recess can contain a material to encapsulate the microcircuit and its connections.

Abstract: A contactless smart card includes a card body, an antenna and an integrated circuit chip connected to the antenna's connecting terminals. The connecting terminals of the antenna are further connected to conductive via holes emerging at the card surface. A junction based on an electrically conductive substance is flush with the card surface and connects the conductive via holes. The electrically conductive substance is designed to be removed by scraping, and prevents the card from being used until it is removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for protecting integrated circuit chips of a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer is cut so as to disengage the chips from the integrated circuit; and a fluid insulating material is applied on the rear surface of the wafer so as to coat the flanks of each chip of the integrated circuit with a thin insulating layer. The insulating material may be applied by spraying, screen printing, dip coating, casting or any other means. The invention further concerns integrated circuit chips where the flanks are protected by an insulating material to prevent electrical malfunction caused by contact of a conductive material on the flanks of the chips.

Abstract: A smart card, which in normal use in a network allows the transfer of goods/services to a user of the card from a network operator by subtracting prepaid units of value stored in the card. The card has an embedded integrated circuit with a serial number unique to each card, and a prepaid units register for storing a number of remaining units of prepaid value. In response to an interrogation, the serial number and the number of remaining prepaid units may be read out. A key number is also stored in the circuit. It has a first portion unique for each card, and a second portion which is common to a plurality of cards, but unique for a network operator. The key number in normal use of the card cannot be read from the card. An algorithm is also stored in the card, and in normal use it also is not readable from the card. A microprocessor calculates a certificate in accordance with the algorithm as a function of the key number and the number in said prepaid register, and the certificate is readable from the card.

Abstract: The invention concerns contactless electronic labels (10) associated with a reading device (40). The invention lies in the fact that the reading device (40) also comprises a generator generating sequences of pulses which characteristically modulate (50) a signal at a carrier frequency (F0), the modulation making it possible to code information to be transmitted to the electronic labels. These sequences of pulses are detected (22) and interpreted (26) by the electronic labels (10) and supply different signals which act on certain circuits in the electronic labels, in particular for inhibiting certain functions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for adapting terminals for chip cards to enable them to present and execute operations for which they were not signed, which consists in equipping the chip cards with a link memory associated with a reading and translating program and in presenting data read in said memory to the terminal in a form which can be used by an interface program. Thus, by modifying the card link memory, applications executable by the terminal can be added ore removed.

Abstract: A contactless smart card has a sheet-like body containing an integrated circuit and an antenna via which the integrated circuit communicates with a terminal. The antenna lies in the plane of the card body and is constituted by several turns of a conductor that form a winding. A conductive bridge connects at least two turns of the winding to reduce its inductance. The card body includes a rupture zone that is designed to be broken when the card is first used. A portion of the connecting bridge lies within the rupture zone, so that it is broken when the rupture zone is broken during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chip card (10) including an electronic module, which module is fitted with an interface for electrical and/or electromagnetic communications formed by electrical contacts (12) and/or an antenna (22). It is characterised in that it includes at least one guarantee label (14) which is bonded to one of its surfaces and which can be unbonded by breaking the adhesion, said label being suitable for preventing said interface (12, 22) from communicating with the outside world.