Abstract: In order to count chip cards when they are manufactured, it is chosen to present these chip cards in lots, edgewise, in the field of an X-radiation. A measurement is made of the differential image of attenuation of the X-radiation due to the passage of this X-radiation, on the one hand through the plastic card structure, which is relatively transparent to the X-radiation, and on the other hand through the metallic connection parts of the chips. In the radiological absorption image obtained, a count is made of the number of transitions of the absorption signal. It is shown that the reliability of the counting is greatly improved, as is the security of manipulation.

Abstract: A method for erasure of EEPROM memory cells consists, at the start of each erasure operation, in opening a counter in a RAM memory, carrying out a cycle of erasure as stipulated by the manufacturer, and then a cycle for reading and for comparing the voltage read with an expected voltage corresponding to the "erased" state of the memory cell. Then, if the voltage read is not the expected voltage, in incrementing the counter and ordering a new cycle of erasure, reading and comparison. When the voltage read is the expected voltage, a return code characteristic of the content of the counter and, hence, of the number of erasure cycles that have been necessary for the erasure operation, is transmitted to the user. The method can be applied, notably, to EEPROM memory devices used chip cards.

Abstract: The microcircuit card is such that at least one strain-indicating sensor is placed on the microcircuit, in a known state of strain, and is maintained in this state by a protection layer deposited on the microcircuit for as long as this layer is not affected. The microcircuit has means for measuring an electrical value that is characteristic of the strain, and a logic circuit connected to the measuring means to detect the changes in the condition of strain indicating an intrusion into the card.

Abstract: To program a robot, without requiring action by specially qualified staff, electronic cards (called chip cards) are used. A handling workman stacks chip cards in an automatic distributor. These chip cards correspond to a set of tasks to be performed. The robot is designed to come and stand in queue before this distributor to receive the chip card which is located at the bottom of the stack and has the program of instructions which it has to carry out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the fabrication of chip cards. These cards are flat and undergo a high degree of deformation under bending and twisting stresses, when the user does not take any special precautions in their use. A micromodule is housed in a cavity of the card, and this micromodule is fixed by the natural adhesion between the plastic material of the bottom of the cavity and the coating resin of the integrated circuit of the module. To prevent the micromodule from being torn off during a bending stress undergone by the card, there is provision for at least one overhang by which the upper surface of the card covers an edge of the micromodule to limit the movements of said micromodule.

Abstract: A method for insertion of active components in chip cards. A card is made with a cavity, whose edges are formed from a material having shape memorization properties. The initial shape of the cavity at ordinary temperature is that of a basin having dimensions for housing an integrated circuit micromodule, with overhanging edges which do not allow the micromodule to go out of the cavity or to be inserted into the cavity. The card is then plastically deformed with the overhanging edges pushed back a sufficient distance and the integrated circuit micromodule is inserted. Finally, the card is heated to a temperature at which its shape memorization effect is displayed, and the plastically deformed edges of the cavity again become elastic and resume their initial overhanging shape.

Abstract: In an electrostatic protection device for electronic cards, the electronic card has a module bearing, on one of its faces, a network of conducting tracks to which at least one integrated circuit is connected. Each contact is close to a contact at a reference potential. The contact bears, on its periphery, metal sharp-pointed proturberances placed so as to face other metal protuberances borne by the contacts so as to favor the formation of electric arcs between two facing protuberances.