Abstract: An encryption method in which a clear message (m) is formatted with a formatting function (p), and in which the result of the formatting step is exponentiated using a public key (N, e) in accordance with the relationship c=?(m)e mod N, c being an encrypted message, ?(m) being the result of the formatting step, and e and N elements of the public key. The formatting function (?) is the PSS function. The invention is applicable to cryptography, for example of RSA type, for smart cards for instance.

Abstract: A chip card in a terminal such as a mobile radiotelephone is identified by a first identifier with a server including for example the nominal locating recorder in a cellular radiotelephone network, without the first identifier being transmitted in a clear form or substituted by a provisional identifier. An anonymous identifier is determined in the card on the basis of a generated random number, the first identifier and the result of a public key asymmetric algorithm to which at least the random number is applied. The anonymous identifier is transmitted to the server which recovers the first identifier at least by executing the asymmetric algorithm to which a private key and at least partly the anonymous identifier are applied.

Abstract: An adapter electrically connects an integrated circuit mini-card in a main electronic integrated circuit memory card connector having greater space requirement than the mini-card. The mini-card has surface contact strips and the adapter includes a main body capable of being connected to the main connector and a housing for receiving the mini-card at the surface of the main body. The housing includes inside bond pads for connection to the electric contacts of the mini-card. A mobile cover is capable of taking up a position wherein it closes at least partly the housing while maintaining the mini-card in electrically connecting position in the housing and stiffening the structure of the adapter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryptographic method involving an integer division of type q=a div b and r=a mod b, wherein a is a number of m bits, b is a number of n bits, with n being less than or equal to m, and bn?1 being non-null and the most significant bit of b. In addition, each iteration of a loop subscripted by i, which varies between 1 and m?n+1, involves a partial division of a word A of n bits of number a by number b in order to obtain one bit of quotient q. According to the invention, the same operations are performed with each iteration, regardless of the value of the quotient bit obtained. In different embodiments of the invention, one of the following is also performed with each iteration: the addition and subtraction of number b to/from word A; the addition of number b or a complementary number /b of b to word A; or a complement operation at 2n of an updated datum (b or /b) or a dummy datum (c or /c) followed by the addition of the datum updated with word A.

Abstract: In order to trigger an action in a communication interface (IC) of a terminal, such as a mobile, including a first application part (APT), from a second application part (APC) in a chip card, steps are executed after a command designating the action and transmitted (E1) from the first to the second part: putting the first part to sleep (E2), putting the second part on standby (E3) and storing parameters of the action in the chip card, waking up (E5) the second part following an event command transmitted (E4) by the communication interface and reading the parameters stored, establishing (E6) a command, for example for a call establishment or short message sending request, according to the parameters read in the second awakened part, and transmitting the command established to the communication interface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cryptographic method for generating public keys and private keys. Two distinct first numbers p and q, of neighboring value are selected, and the number n equal to the product of p·q is calculated. The lowest common multiple of the numbers (p?1) and (q?1)?(n)=PPCM(p?1, q?1) is then calculated. A number g, 0<g?n2, is then determined which verifies the two following conditions: a) g is invertible modulo n2; and b) ord(g,n2)=0 mod n. The public key is formed by the parameters n and g and its private key is formed by the parameters p, q and ?(n)or by the parameters p and q. An encryption method for a number m representing a message, 0?m<n, involves calculating the cryptogram c=gm mod n2.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for duplicating data contained a smart card memory in the memory of another smart card, which consists in producing for said other card another management code, another secret code. Said other management code is produced on the basis of identification data particular to the first card and also particular to the second card. For the system to operate, identification data concerning the first card are also recorded in the second card.

Abstract: Application protocol data units are conveyed in a universal serial bus so that a portable electronic object such as a smart card can be recognized by a terminal, such as a micro-computer, as being a peripheral. The header and the data field, when such a data field exists, of each command are encapsulated in data fields of data packets of respective downlink transactions. The data field, when such a data field exists, and the trailer of each response are encapsulated in the data packet data field of at least one uplink transaction. By means of this bus link, the data rate between the terminal and the electronic object is higher, and a plurality of portable electronic objects can be connected to the terminal.

Abstract: A protected slot machine has a token-type cash device and a smart card reader. A central unit manages the games played by token and/or smart card. Improper use by the players is prevented by separating the credits issuing from games by card or by tokens, respectively. As a result credits are given in the form of tokens for a stake or a game played with tokens and, when a game is played with a smart card, credits are applied to a smart card present in the reader before it is ejected or before the insertion of a new card.

Abstract: Data to be stored is managed in different management modes including at least a first management mode and a second management mode. An identification is provided during a data preparation phase, for respectively identifying the data to be managed according to the different modes, and then managing on the basis of the provided identification. The storage can be located in a programmable smart card. Thus the data can include a code associated with an application whereof part (management code) is designed to customize the application during an initial phase, the identification being related to the data associated with this code part.

Abstract: Contact-free electronic labels for mobile telephones that can be, for example, associated with a support associated with each mobile telephone card. The electronic labels include a memory and controller for recording and reading, wholly or partly, data identifying the card and its characteristics, as well as data concerning different steps of the card distribution. The invention is applicable to silicon chip cards designed to be inserted in a mobile telephone handset.

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 method for universal calculation on the points of an elliptic curve defined by a quartic equation uses identical programmed calculating devices for operating an addition of points, a doubling of points and an addition of a neutral point. The calculating device is a central unit associated with a memory. The invention also concerns a cryptographic method using such a universal method. The invention further concerns a component for implementing the universal calculation method and/or the cryptographic method. For example, the invention is applicable to smart cards.

Abstract: A reader for a chip card, whose main surface comprises a set of contact pads and visual indications, includes a housing that defines a slot for introducing the card into a functional position in relation to the housing. The reader also has at least one connector for connecting the card and at least one other electronic component. The electric connector and the electronic component are part of a block of components which is located substantially above the set of contacts. The parts of the housing which extend above the main surface of the card are made of a transparent material.

Abstract: Smart cards and other such devices with limited memory capacity function as hosts for services on a distributed computing network. The information to be deployed in the distributed computing system to provide access to those services is separated into two categories. One category consists of the information that is generic to all instances of the service. The second category constitutes that information which is specific to one instance of the application which provides a service. The specific information is stored on the smart card, whereas the generic information is stored elsewhere on the distributed computing network, for example on a server. In addition to the specific information, the card stores the address at which the generic information can be located on the network. When a card is inserted in a terminal connected to the network, the terminal retrieves the specific deployment information, along with the address for the generic information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cryptographic method which includes integer division of the type q=a div b and/or a modular reduction of the type r=a mod b, with q being a quotient, a being a number of m bits, b being a number of n bits, n being not more than m and bn?1 being the most significant bit of the number b. The number a is masked by a random number p before performing the integer division and/or the modular reduction. The invention also concerns an electronic component for implementing the method. The invention is applicable for making smart cards secure against hidden channel attacks, and in particular differential attacks.

Abstract: An electronic label reading system includes an interrogator including a transmitter and a receiver. The system also has a transmitter antenna connected to the transmitter for generating an interrogation electromagnetic field through which objects possessing code responding labels may pass. The code responding labels include label receiving antennas for receiving from the interrogation field a label interrogation signal, and generate label reply signals, and, from the label reply signals, reply electromagnetic fields. The system also has a receiver antenna connected to the receiver for receiving the reply signals from the label reply fields. The interrogation field and label reply fields provide a communication channel from the labels to the interrogator, and the interrogator signals to the labels condition information indicative of the condition of the communication channel.

Abstract: In order to rapidly load from a server (1) an application to be deployed (AP) in a terminal (2) and a chip card (3), a message (MAP) containing both a first application part and second application part formatted so as to be compatible with a protocol for communication between the terminal and the card is transmitted by the server to the terminal, which stores the two parts. The first part (APT) extracted from the application message (MAP) is installed in the terminal. A specific loader (CAPC) loads the second part (APC) extracted from the message according to the communication protocol. The installations of the two application parts are thus synchronous under the control of the terminal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for testing sources generating random numbers, particularly sources set up in the context of cryptographic systems such as random number generators incorporated in chip cards. The invention is particularly designed to be used for testing and validating electronic devices such as chip cards, PCMCIA, badges, contactless cards or any other similar portable apparatus.

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.