Abstract: Method for carrying out an electronic transaction using several signatures. In the present invention, entities (or actors) are spread over a communication network and share keys. A message is encapsulated inside several cryptograms, and intermediate entities progressively decapsulate the cryptograms that they receive. The invention is applicable to all electronic transactions, in particular to “electronic wallet” applications.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a plurality of identical actuators of a common operational assembly having the following steps: operating actuators one by one in similar powering conditions; measuring the energy agent flux during the excitation cycle of each; elaborating for each a time-based curve of the measure flux; elaborating a superposition from curves, and deducing therefrom a normality tracing; isolating the curves showing variations with respect to the normality tracing; and establishing a trouble shooting for each isolated curve, based on variations.

Abstract: A printing module includes a prism-shaped frame (8), two of its adjacent faces (10A, 10B) each defining a guiding path for a printing substrate (3A, 3B), the forward movement of the printing substrates being effected towards the extremity (11) of the two faces; two printing heads (30A, 30B) each placed on one of the paths; and bars (16A, 16B) for guiding and moving (20A-27A) each printing substrate on its path. Also relates to automatic distributors of printed or pre-printed substrates having printing modules of this type.

Abstract: A secured system of access checking using a portable storage carrier (C) on which there is recorded an electronic key (CL), a digital data processing instrument (LE) for the production of keys, and an electronic lock (L) function capable of authorizing access should the storage carrier have the requisite electronic key. To transfer an entitlement to produce keys (CL) from one production digital data processing instrument (LE) to another, it is loaded with a new public key (K′) and the signature (CER′) of this key.

Abstract: A method for performing electronic transactions between a card, a service provider having at least one terminal configured to accept the card and a centralized system configured to be connected to the terminal. The terminal transmits to the card a parameter M including the sum of the transaction and its identity. The card produces two signatures, a first signature (z) depending on a secret debit key (k) and on the parameter (M), this first signature being a proof that the card balance has been debited; and a second signature (y) depending on the first signature (z), the second signature being produced either by an RSA algorithm or by an interactive algorithm. The terminal checks the second signature (y) but not the first one because it is unable to recover the secret debit key (k). The terminal stores the different first signatures (proofs) (z) and the parameters (M) for the different transactions. The centralized system can collect the first signatures and the parameters.

Abstract: A sorting machine with a standard operator work space containing a compact and ergonomic assembly of a hopper (5) for a horizontal stack of envelopes (3) between a control panel (6) and an extraction head (9), and a set of pigeonholes (11) for receiving a large enough number of sorted envelopes to prepare a postman's round. The pigeonholes are arranged above the hopper and supplied by a conveyor moving along a path in such a way that the orientation of the envelopes remains the same as they are delivered from the hopper (5) to the pigeonholes.

Abstract: A system of payment by the transfer of electronic money and especially of electronic cheques with blind signatures comprises an interbank compensation unit, an interbank network, and a verification unit. The interbank compensation unit permits the transfer of electronic money between multiple bank units in payment of amounts owed therebetween arising from the electronic cheques. The interbank network links the interbank compensation unit to the multiple bank units, and enables the transfer of electronic cheques from a payment terminal to the interbank compensation unit. The verification unit is linked to the interbank compensation unit, and is capable of verifying the authenticity and the non-reutilization of electronic cheques which have already travelled through the interbank network after a first payment.

Abstract: An electronic fingerprint sensor works by the detection of pressure, the ridge lines of the finger exerting a greater pressure than the valleys. The sensor has a matrix of pressure microsensors and electronic control and signal-processing circuits. It is made in an entirely monolithic form, according to techniques for the making of electronic circuits (deposition of thin layers, photo-etching, doping and thermal processing), both for the pressure detection part and for the signal-processing and control part. The matrix-type pressure sensor uses either piezoelectric resistors lying on an insulator layer stretched above a cavity or a variable capacitor or a microcontactor.

Abstract: A component comprises a coil for the supply by induction of the component and for the inductive bidirectional transfer with the station of a signal representative of data. Means for processing said signal are supplied by the coil and are produced in integrated technology on the substrate of the component. The turns of the coil are produced in flat integrated technology by metallization on the surface of the component. The integral coil occupies at least 50% of the total surface of the component.

Abstract: Apparatus for the exchange of information by electromagnetic coupling between a passive portable object and a station comprising: first electromagnetic coupling means for the transmission of data between the portable object and the station, and second electromagnetic coupling means independent of the first means for the transfer of energy and a clock signal to the portable object. A filtering circuit is provided on the station side, which behaves as an inductance at the frequency associated with the data transmission and as a high value impedance at the frequency associated with the energy transfer.

Abstract: The demodulator is for processing a signal having a carrier modulated by (0, .pi.) phase shifts and sampled at a rate that is at least twice the frequency of the carrier co. It comprises, in cascade: a first multiplier for squaring successive samples e(t), a phase locked loop adjusted to the frequency of the carrier, thereby performing programmable digital filtering; a divider for dividing the frequency by two, reconstituting the carrier from the output of the phase locked loop; a second multiplier receiving the sampled input signal and the output signal from the divider and an output lowpass digital filter. A phase adjustment circuit is placed upstream of one of the inputs of the second multiplier.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems for checking access limited to authorized time slots renewable by means of a portable storage device.The system comprises, for this purpose, an element (LE) producing electronic keys formed by a data element pertaining to a time slot and by the signature of this data element. These keys are loaded into devices such as memory cards (C). Electronic locks (L) capable of verifying the signatures are implanted in the different (physical or logical) locations, the access to which has to be guarded.Application to the checking of access to buildings or computer systems.

Abstract: A system for interconneting local networks via a public transmission network, in which equipment items of the microcomputer type, connected to a local network A, are capable of being connected to the public network by a router X in order to communicate with one or more equipment items of the microcomputer type connected to at least one other local network B, which are capable of being linked to the public network by a router Y.The system includes security protection of the establishment of the communications between the local networks over the public network, implementing a certificate exchange mechanism and the software procedures for active authentication, of the "challenge-response" type being placed in the routers.

Abstract: A Smart Card Based System for telephone-securized transactions. The system includes a telephone terminal (10) connected to a server (30) and a package or unit (40) incorporating a keypad (42), a smart card (48) and sound signal transmission device. The transmission of the information of the card to the server takes place by way of sound signals and the telephone terminal. In the other direction, the information is addressed in vocal manner to the user, who types them on the keypad (42) of the unit (40). Application to securized teletransactions, particularly electronic funds transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for them multi-applicative operation of a card reader terminal (10), in which there is a link (11) with at least one electronic card (12), which may or may not have a memory and which is dedicated to the performance of an application. The card performs applicative operations and dialogues with the terminal (10) for making available inputs-outputs and capabilities of the terminal. The terminal becomes a slave, at the applicative level, with respect to said electronic card (12) in which the application is performed. The invention also relates to a card reader terminal.

Abstract: A system for remote information exchange between a portable object and a station and in which in order to minimize an undesirable profitless cluttering in the radio frequency environment of the system, the phase variation between the first and second alternating voltages (VEX and VEY), which is induced by the switchings of the electronic circuit of the portable object as a function of information to be transmitted to the station, enables the station-processing means (SPM) to deduce the information therefrom, and the elements of the electronic circuit and of the station are chosen and configured so that the phase variation induce by the inductive coupling is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The Manchester coder/decoder of the invention includes the following modules. A synchronization signal generation module (11), gives the clocks' start signal. A module (12) for the synchronization and generation of clocks generates the transmission/coding and decoding clocks and a low frequency clock. A decoding module (13) includes a flip-flop driven by the decoding clock. The decoding is a simple sampling of the input signal of the Manchester coded data which is to be decoded during the reception phase. A coding module (14) carries out an "OR EXCLUSIVE" function between the input signal to be coded in Manchester code and the transmission clock.

Abstract: Device for automatically filling a container for collecting flat objects, such as mail envelopes, including a receiving location where the envelopes are delivered one by one, preferably in a vertical position and stood up on their edge, from a conveyor, in particular with driving belts pinching the envelopes between them until the moment when they are released into the location in order progressively to form a stack, this location including at least one and preferably two opposite parallel jogging edges extending perpendicularly to the planes of the successive envelopes in the stack formed between these edges, and a horizontal bearing sole, the first envelope in the stack furthermore being pressed against a moving stop which moves in a horizontal direction as the stack is formed, wherein the bearing sole consists of two retractable flaps placed facing one another in the same horizontal plane in order to support the stack of envelopes, these flaps being mounted so that they can pivot about two parallel axles a

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securizing a document incorporating a processing module, which calculates and associates with each document page (10), comprising a zone (11) containing the text of the information to be certified, a graphic seal (12) representing it in the form of interlaced bar codes.The invention also relates to a process for securizing a document and a graphic authentification code.Particular application to the securized storage of documents and to securizing transmissions by fax.

Abstract: A component comprises a coil for the supply by induction of the component and for the inductive bidirectional transfer with the station of a signal representative of data. Means for processing said signal are supplied by the coil and are produced in integrated technology on the substrate of the component. The turns of the coil are produced in flat integrated technology by metallization on the surface of the component. The integral coil occupies at least 50% of the total surface of the component.