Abstract: Perfected cryptographic protocol making it possible to counter attacks based on the analysis of the current consumption during the execution of a DES or similar. According to the invention, a message (M) is processed by two entities (A and B) and the entity (B) subject to attack executes a chain of operations known as DES in which it is chosen to carry out a given operation (O1, O2, O3 . . . On) or the same operation complemented (?1, ?2, ?3 . . . ?n), the choice being random.

Abstract: Multi-layer cards with aesthetic and/or functional features, e.g. banking, access, or identification cards, having a bearing layer that includes an effects layer disposed directly between two core layers are disclosed herein. Among other potential benefits, the layered structure of the bearing layer reduces overall manufacturing costs, as compared to methods known in the art, by facilitating a balanced card construction while minimizing the number of layers formed from relatively expensive materials, avoiding direct imaging of the effects layer and minimizing waste associated therewith, as well as providing for reliable incorporation of the effects layer into the multi-layered structure with minimal expenditure of resources and reduced possibility of waste.

Abstract: An electronic entity includes contact communication elements (4) and remote communication elements (6). Members (2, K) are also provided to authorize an exchange of certain data at least via the remote communication elements based on the prior reception of an instruction via the contact communication elements. A terminal for communication with such an electronic entity as well as methods for controlling and for customizing the electronic entity are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for automatic validation of a computer program can access a secure memory and a non-secure memory, the program using at least one coding function and at least one de-coding function. The method includes a verification step (E340) during which verification occurs to ensure that each function which is adapted in order to read data from the secure memory and to produce data in the non-secure memory is a coding function and that all data produced by the coding function is stored in the secure memory.

Abstract: A method for mounting a microcircuit module in a card body to make the card non-detachable without damage includes fixing the module (22) in a cavity (12) of the card body (11) with a resin after adjusting the adherence of the resin (30) on the wall of the cavity (12) so that it is markedly higher than its adherence on the module (22).

Abstract: Method for mounting an electronic component, such as a silicon chip, on a support which consists in: providing an electronic component (40) having connection pads, whereof one predetermined pad (41A) is provided with a bump (42); providing a support having (30) to the predetermined pad via the bump; aligning the predetermined pad provided with the bump with the terminal; contacting the bump and the terminal and assembling them in specific temperature and pressure conditions. Prior to contacting and fixing the bump and the terminal, the surface of the terminal is covered with an insulating layer (32), the insulating layer being a material selected so as to be traversed by the bump in the temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A method for creating a group signature of a message to be implemented by a member of a group in a system, the system including a trust authority, the group including at least the member provided with a secure portable electronic entity including storage elements and computing elements wherein are implanted a cryptographic algorithm. The method includes the following steps: generating via the computing elements a signature of the message using a private key common to the members of the group and integrating a data identifying the group member and a temporal data representing a temporal information of the member's membership to the group and of the date of the signature of the message, the private key common to the members of the group, the identifying data and the temporal data being stored in the storage elements.

Abstract: A method for securing a program against attacks by error, i.e. in a chip card, wherein at least one jump instruction, including a relative address chosen from a plurality of possible relative addresses, is identified in the program, wherein the at least one jump instruction makes it possible to reach a targeted address inside the memory area extending before and after the jump instruction and regrouping the plurality of possible relative addresses, inside the memory area, wherein an instruction to be preserved is identified and, in order to secure at least the instruction, at least one first non-operative batch including at least one instruction is inserted, the insertion being carried out in such a way as to ensure that the insertion is compatible with maintenance of the address targeted by the jump instruction inside the memory area and that the insertion is compatible with the normal running of the program.

Abstract: A smart card includes: a plastic body, a module integral with the body and including a support bearing external electric connection pads, at least one electronic chip borne by the support and having one side called active surface bearing internal electric connection pads, and runs electrically connecting the external and internal electric connection pads, respectively. The invention is characterized in that at least one of the runs includes a conductor strip which is configured and arranged so as to project above the active surface while concealing at least a substantial part with at least one large-sized portion and has at least one small-sized portion adapted to involve easy disconnection by rupture upon displacement of the strip or elimination of all or part of the strip relative to the active surface.

Abstract: A method for protecting an electronic entity such as a smart card, against simple/differential power analysis, by integrating a current accumulator in said entity. The current accumulator (19) powers a processor (P) via a multiplexer (20) when the processor is loaded to execute so-called sensitive operations.

Abstract: A fast cryptographic method between two entities exchanging data via a non-secure communication channel. The method, for example, forms a common key between two entities (A,B), each having a secret key (a,b) and using a public key (P) formed by a point of an elliptic curve (E), and includes at least multiplying the odd order point (P) by an integer by additions and halving operations.

Abstract: This IC card reader (1) is intended to release the software workload of a smart IC card (2) which itself supervises the running of its transaction. It is managed by a circuit (14) with microcontroller (140) and memory (141) and includes display means (11). It contains in memory (141) a library of programs which define visual, audio or other objects that are displayed on the display means and are executed by its circuit (14) with microcontroller (140) and memory (141) in response to a call from the connected IC card (2). By virtue of this library of programs, the IC card reader (1) provides a connected IC card (2) with a particularly sophisticated man-machine interface accessible using simplified commands. The object program calls are advantageously accompanied by parameters allowing the way in which the objects are defined and animated to be adjusted at leisure.

Abstract: A storage process that includes adding, to the elementary files of fixed length provided for by, e.g., ISO Standard 7816-4, elementary files of variable length whose capacity is always adapted to the size of the records they store, and managing this new type of file with micro-instructions complying with the formalism of ISO Standard 7816-4 and belonging to the proprietary class of instructions. By virtue of this new type of variable-length elementary file, it is possible to envisage new smartcards complying with ISO Standard 7816-4 and implementing data compression techniques at the data storage level, this capability being particularly beneficial considering the limited data storage capacities of a smartcard.

Abstract: A system for securely storing CD-ROM data including a CD-ROM having data encrypted at least in part with a cryptographic algorithm having a decryption key K, a CD-ROM drive for receiving the CD-ROM, an electronic decryption microcircuit embedded in the CD-ROM, means for exchanging information between the CD-ROM drive and the electronic decryption microcircuit embedded in the CD-ROM, and a chip card containing at least a part K1 of the decryption key K, any remaining part K2 of the decryption key K being in the electronic decryption microcircuit embedded in the CD-ROM. Also included is a secure means for securely exchanging information between the chip card and the electronic microcircuit embedded in the CD-ROM. Further, the electronic decryption microcircuit embedded in the CD-ROM includes an antenna which provides, without the presence of contact, both an electrical power supply to the decryption microcircuit from an external source and exchanges of information with the external source.

Abstract: Integrated circuit board combining external contact zones and an antenna to receive data transmitted by a terminal, and process for manufacturing such a board. The integrated circuit board in accordance with the invention comprises a single integrated circuit connected both to an antenna by connection terminals and to external contact zones by other connection terminals; the antenna is arranged between a support and a strip; the above-mentioned connection terminals are arranged opposite the corresponding connection ends of the integrated circuit and are respectively connected to them; the integrated circuit is arranged by a process know by the name “flip-chip” in a cavity in which the connection terminals of the antenna and those of the external contact zones are accessible. The board in accordance with the invention may by used both with a reader connected to the external contact zones or with a terminal transmitting data without contacts, by means of the antenna.