Abstract: The invention concerns a method for implementing in an electronic component a cryptographic algorithm using calculating means. The invention is characterized in that it consists in carrying out the following steps: a) selecting a value e among a specific number of values eI, ei being integers, b) checking if ei verifies a predetermined relationship: if so, then e=ei, and storing e for use in calculating said cryptographic algorithm.

Abstract: A mini card has a size smaller than a card that conforms to established standards, and includes a hole for attachment to a key ring or other external device. Increased durability is provided by means of a substrate that includes a core made of PVC material, sandwiched between two durable layers of polyester material. Printing on these layers is protected by transparent overlay layers made of PVC. The durability of the card is measured by means of a test procedure in which random multi-dimensional motion is imparted to an assembly of the card and an attached weight. The durability is quantitatively indicated by the amount of elapsed time until the weight becomes separated from the card while undergoing the vibrational movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for secure and compact exponentiation. The inventive method can be applied in the field of cryptology where cryptographic algorithms are used in electronic devices such as chip cards.

Abstract: A method of unlocking a mobile terminal after a period of use and ensuring that the first operator who sold the terminal receives adequate payment prior to the use thereof. The identity of the terminal is saved and a security algorithm, which is not known to the operator, is implemented in a security module which is introduced into a server that is managed by the operator. After the period of use, the security module determines a secret key which is obtained by applying the terminal identity transmitted thereby and an operator code to the security algorithm, following a request transmitted by the service entity. The determined secret key, which is encrypted at the terminal, is transmitted over the operator's radiocommunications network and decrypted in the mobile terminal so that it can be compared to the saved secret key in order for the mobile terminal to be unlocked when the compared secret keys are identical.

Abstract: A countermeasure method for a microcontroller that executes sequences of instructions. The instructions are executed according to a pipeline method. At least one waiting time is randomly introduced between two consecutive instructions and/or within at least one instruction. The method is implemented by the electronics of the microcontroller rather than by software addition.

Abstract: A method for producing a contactless card having a support for the functional elements of the card. The support is provided with lower and upper covering layers, and the functional elements borne thereon are formed by means of extrusion, directly in contact with the support.

Abstract: In a radiofrequency network, such as a Bluetooth network, two devices are securely identified to one another for a communication session. One of the devices is designated as a master apparatus, and the other is a slave apparatus. An automatic identification process is carried out by placing the two devices in close proximity with one another, and transmitting very short range signals from the master apparatus, to be exclusively received by the slave apparatus. If the two devices are able to communicate over this short range, an identification key is generated and passed to the slave apparatus for subsequent exchanges in normal, larger range communications.

Abstract: A method for protection against modification of data sent by a user to a secure medium via a reader selects and stores some of the data. Confirmation of the authenticity of the selected data is obtained by verifying whether they are identical to those input on request by the user in a secure communication mode of the reader. The method is applicable to the protection against the modification of a command and/or a document signed with an electronic signature.

Abstract: A method for the secure application of a cryptographic algorithm of the RSA type in an electronic component obtains the value of a public exponent e from a given set of probable values, without a priori knowledge of that value. Having determined the value for the public exponent e, the application of countermeasures using the value of e, to block error attacks and side channel attacks, particularly of the DPA and SPA type, are carried out on the application of a private operation of the cryptographic algorithm.

Abstract: A portable intelligent object has first and second communication interfaces with a station. The first communication interface can send and/or receive data by means of inductive coupling with the station. The object also has an integrated peripheral circuit. All of the data exchanged between the peripheral circuit and the central circuit passes through the station.

Abstract: To improve security of operations in a communication network such as Internet, a database containing a plurality of icons is stored in the installation program of a browser. When executing the installation program, an icon in the icon database is selected. The selected icon is stored in a storage unit which is inaccessible by any device other than the browser. The selected icon is displayed when executing the browser, and it is assigned a feature to indicate whether the current operation is secure.

Abstract: In a distributed computing system which employs smart cards to provide services, the need for a fixed mapping between methods that can be invoked from a card application and APDU messages is avoided. A card skeleton provides a decoding table to a client proxy when a connection is established between a card and a terminal. With the information provided from the skeleton, the proxy dynamically maps methods to APDU messages, for communication during a given session. As a result, if the on-card application is enhanced to provide new methods, its corresponding skeleton is upgraded to recognize those methods. When the card is connected to a terminal, the updated information is provided to the proxy at the terminal, to enable the user to access the enhanced features of the application.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device comprising a module which is affixed to a support body by means of a layer of adhesive. According to the invention, the module comprises a support film having a first metallisation on an upper face and a printed circuit chip on a lower face, said chip being connected to the first metallisation through the film. The invention is characterised in that the device comprises a primer separation layer (9, 14) which is disposed between the lower face (10) and the chip (8). The invention is also characterised in that the primer separation layer adheres more to the adhesive layer than the film. The invention also relates to the associated modules.

Abstract: A biometric identification method includes the steps of acquiring biometric data, analysing the data to produce a current signature, and comparing the current signature with a reference signature. To this process is added the further step of verifying the origin of the current signature, by determining whether the signature is actually the result of the analysis of the biometric data obtained during the acquisition phase. The verification and comparison steps are preformed in a portable electronic device, such as a smart card.

Abstract: Transponders in a system execute commands issued by an interrogator. The interrogator sends out interrogation signals, and a transponder answers with a start signal. The interrogator then modifies its interrogation signal and this causes the answering transponder to send an identification signal and the other transponders to be silent for a time period. The interrogator subsequently sends a second modification of the interrogation signal and a command which causes the other transponders to remain silent for a period of time, and the answering transponder to execute the command. Repeated modified interrogation signals and additional commands can be sent so that the other transponders remain silent while the answering transponder executes the commands. After a certain time following the last modified interrogation signal and executed command, the transponders return to the non-silent state. Time is measured by local counters in each transponder.

Abstract: A graphic printing machine and method for a card-type storage medium employs a jet printing head and a controller to perform ink jet printing on the medium. The invention is useful for printing plastic or cardboard or paper cards.

Abstract: A a color ink-jet printer has at least four ink cartridges each containing one basic color selected from among yellow, magenta, cyan and black, and at least one additional cartridge containing a basic pale color ink. A processor receives a printing order containing data concerning the requested color and/or the number and color of the ink droplets to be deposited on one another at a specific location of a selected printing substrate. The processor includes an optimizing mode capable of matching the requested color and/or the required number and color of droplets to be superimposed to obtain a selected color at a given pixel with an equivalent color and/or an equivalent number and/or color of droplets to be superimposed to obtain a substantially equivalent and satisfactory color rendering in conformity with the human eye sensory response. The thus-determined equivalent color and/or the equivalent number and color of droplets to be superimposed is applied to the printer for each printing order received.

Abstract: A countermeasure method in an electronic component implementing an elliptical curve based public key cryptography algorithm. A new decryption integer d? is calculated such that the decryption of an encrypted message on the basis of a private key d and the number of points n of an elliptical curve provides the same result with d? as with d, by performing the operation Q=d*P, whereby P is a point of the curve. Four steps are employed in the calculation: 1) a security parameter s is determined, 2) a random number k ranging from 0-2s is drawn, 3) the integer d?=d+k*n is calculated, and 4) Q=d?.P is calculated.

Abstract: The customization or initialization of the application, for example in a programmable smart card, uses minimum integrated code. A device for preparing customizing or initializing data to be transmitted to the card creates a concatenation of information elements in respective adjacent data blocks in accordance with a convention recognized by a communication device, without explicit field specification. On reception of a data sequence, the card code identifies the information elements according to their size and their position in the flow.

Abstract: A smart card that is compatible with the USB protocol and may be compatible with multiple different protocols includes a standard set of contacts that comply with the protocols of a published standard. Another contact, not designated by the standard, may be added and used to indicate whether the card is to operate in one of a number of protocol modes. When the card is to operate in the USB 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 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.