Abstract: The invention concerns a particular structure of enhanced short message, and a method for synchronizing and ensuring the security of exchanged enhanced short messages having this structure. Conventionally, an enhanced message is transmitted by a message service centre to a subscriber identification module (or SIM module) of a mobile station. The body (2) of this enhanced message contains in particular a first field (3) for remote commands pertaining to a remote application. This body (2) also contains a second field (4) for storing the current value of a synchronizing counter, to be compared to a previous value of the synchronizing counter, stored in the SIM module. The body (2) can contain another field (6) for storing a certificate, the body signature, for proving the authenticity of the enhanced message and the identity of its transmitter. The enhanced message is accepted or refused by the SIM module depending on the coherence of these values with the internal status of the SIM module.

Abstract: A service control and management systems, and more specifically a system to manage hourly working services, that has service beneficiaries' and/or service providers' smart cards, smart card readers at service sites, and a central server capable of communicating with the readers. In the system each reader has means for initializing a service time count after initialization of the transaction until a service ending time. Also, there are means for recording, periodically on a non-volatile memory, information relating to the performance of the services, and means for transmitting the information from the reader to the central server.

Abstract: The invention concerns clearing by telephone access to a telecommunication network service, the access using a set (SUB1) of identification data (PIN1, IMSI1, MSISDN) stored in an identification module (SIM), access to the service being blocked (B1) in response to an event (WPIN3) or an absence of an event (PIN). The invention proposes using a supplementary set 9SUB2) of identification data 9INSI2, MSISDN) stored in the identification module (SIM) and/or proposes a restricted communication mode (COM SC) for communicating with the maintenance center (SC) when access is blocked for remote clearing of access to the service.

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: A method for making cards with an electronic module is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a card body (1) having a cavity (3, 4), an electronic module (5) shaped to fit said cavity, and a cyanoacrylate adhesive, depositing said adhesive in said cavity, inserting said module into the cavity in a substantially centered position, and pressing said adhesive between the card and the module. According to the method, said adhesive is deposited in an amount sufficient to cover an adhesion surface constituting 50-100% of the surface of said cavity, after pressing, at a temperature of 15-30° C. and at a humidity level of 50-75%. The cards produced by carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound transducer in fluoride polyvinylidene (FPVD), its process of manufacture and integration into a card producing acoustic signals transmittable by telephone route. The process is chiefly characterized in that it consists of making (10) dual surface metallization strips distributed over the entire width of a ribbon in FPVD of great length and of very narrow thickness, cutting (11) each metallization strip into a unit film, fixing (12) a portion of film onto a pre-determined site of an interconnection array made on the rear surface of the card, cutting away excess film, then placing the film portion under stress (13), in such manner that it may emit acoustic signals when voltage is applied to it. This process is highly useful for the manufacture of acoustic signal producing cards of very narrow thickness and low cost price.

Abstract: New molecules having the general formula A:N—B, where A:N— is .alpha.-substituted conjugated cyclic amine, with N being the N atom; and B is an .alpha.-substituted cyclic radical. These materials have ferromagnetic properties and may be use in a variety of fields and particularly in any electromagnetooptical or magnetoresistive system.

Abstract: An improvement to a method for making cards with an electronic module is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a card body (1) having a cavity (3, 4), an electronic module (5I) shaped to fit said cavity, and at least one first adhesion means (12c-15c) adherable to the card body and the module, depositing at least said first adhesion means in said cavity, inserting said module into the cavity in a substantially centered position, and pressing at least said first adhesion means between the card and the module. The method further comprises a step of providing a second adhesion means (11b) which is also deposited in the cavity (3, 4). said second adhesion means is capable of having sufficient tackiness to maintain the module (5) in a centered position in the cavity, at least until said first adhesion means has been pressed. The cards produced by carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for implementing private key protocols between two processing devices of which at least one is a portable storage medium. The devices are fitted with a digital processing circuit for performing modular calculation operations with a view to executing operations such as modular multiplication, the processing circuit is used to implement a private key encryption function consisting of a series of reversible operations comprising at least a combination of two operations, i.e. a modular calculation operation and a binary logic operation, and said function is applied either for encrypting or signing messages to be transmitted, or for decrypting received messages.

Abstract: A shielded magnetic-field antenna has at least one turn of a metallic element and metallic tubular shielding positioned around the element. The turn (3a) is produced in a printed circuit on a card made of insulating material (4a). The shielding has two open rings (5a, 6a) each produced in a printed circuit and disposed respectively on a bottom card (9a) and a top card (10a) made of insulating material. The cards are assembled by gripping the turn between the top and bottom cards. A plurality of metallic vias (7a, 8a) connect side edges of the two rings. The vias extend through the cards, and are positioned around the turn.

Abstract: A thin integrated circuit card with an improved manually activated switch. The card is of the type that has two external plates, a lower one (12) and an upper one (14) that are separated by at least one interconnecting plate in which there is at least one switch (26). The switch is able to allow or inhibit the passage of an electric current between its two terminals (34). The switch has a pushbutton (28) which is positioned at a peripheral edge (40) of the card.

Abstract: A communication system comprising multiple terminal equipment (1), each consisting of a terminal (4) cooperating with a microprocessor-driven user card (SIM module; 5). Each user card includes data memory (8) comprising a plurality of objects and serving as medium to at least two separate applications, the user card comprising a microprocessor (6) and ROM (7) for executing instructions pertaining to the applications. Each object contained in the user card data memory is associated with a first defined access control policy by a set of first access conditions. Each object is also associated with at least another access control policy defined by a set of at least one alternative access condition. Each alternative access condition is applicable, for the object, to group of at least on instruction pertaining to the application(s) using the other defined access control policy.

Abstract: A smart card that is compatible with multiple different protocols includes a standard set of contacts that comply with the protocols of a published standard, and another contact not designated by the standard which is used to indicate whether the card is to operate in a non-standard mode. When the card is to operate in the non-standard mode, a simple start-up procedure is employed which does not require strict timing constraints, enabling a less expensive interface device to be used. The interface device can be connected to any bus of a computer which operates in accordance with a desired non-standard protocol. Due to the flexibility and functionality offered by smart cards that have microprocessors incorporated therein, the multi-protocol smart card can be used to drive, or otherwise communicate with, any of a variety of peripheral devices, whether or not a personal computer is present in the system.

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: The invention relates to modems designed to allow transmission of data between a terminal (a personal computer or PC) and a network. To improve the operating versatility of a modem or its utilization by a smartcard, the modem is equipped according to the invention with a receptacle (80) for receiving a smartcard (120), with a connector (110) for this card and a card interface circuit (100), and the microcontroller (50) of the modem (the microcontroller controlling communication with the network when commanded by the PC) also controls the card interface circuit. This microcontroller thus constitutes the kernel of the modem and at the same time the kernel of a card reader.

Abstract: A unitary housing for an extended-format releasable plug-in card (15). The housing comprises a first block (12) adapted to the standard plug-in card format and designed to contain the standardized portion of the card (15) inserted into the slot of a microcomputer, as well as a second block (16). The housing is characterized in that the second block (16) can receive at least the extension (Z.sub.2) of the card (15), and includes flanges (18) positionable between the side edges of the card (15) and those of the first block (12). The flanges (18) enable the first and second blocks (12, 16) to be rigidly connected so that they are inseparable and the whole housing thereafter forms a single block. Said housing is useful for mechanically protecting extended-format PCMCIA electronics.

Abstract: A smart card that is compatible with multiple different protocols includes a standard set of contacts that comply with the protocols of a published standard, and another contact not designated by the standard which is used to indicate whether the card is to operate in a non-standard mode. When the card is to operate in the non-standard mode, a simple start-up procedure is employed which does not require strict timing constraints, enabling a less expensive interface device to be used. The interface device can be connected to any bus of a computer which operates in accordance with a desired non-standard protocol. Due to the flexibility and functionality offered by smart cards that have microprocessors incorporated therein, the multi-protocol smart card can be used to drive, or otherwise communicate with, any of a variety of peripheral devices, whether or not a personal computer is present in the system.

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: A method for printing on an exposed polymerised thermoplastic or curable layer of the body of a portable data medium, and a portable data medium particularly a chip card, comprising a polymerised layer, are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mixing a polymerisable thermoplastic or curable binder and at least one light-sensitive compound responsive to laser radiation having a predetermined wavelength in such a way that it changes from a first state to a second coloured state, in order to form a mixture, exposing the mixture to the laser radiation having a predetermined wavelength; and polymerising the mixture to form the polymerised layer of the body of the data medium. The method is particularly suitable for printing on smart cards.

Abstract: To limit the functions of microprocessors present in smart card readers that are designed to react to external demands in real time, a coupling circuit has been created to couple the reader to the smart card. The coupling circuit carries out all the synchronization operations.