Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic component designed to implement a secret key cryptographic algorithm of the type comprising a microprocessor and storage units, characterized in that it comprises generating means for generating by themselves said secret key.

Abstract: A two-way communication device has a master transmitter (SysM1, TRM1, SysM2, TRM2) connected to at least one slave transmitter (SysS1, TRS1, SysS2, TRS2) by an active connection wire. The master transmitter and the slave transmitter have a common reference (GND). The master transmitter can transmit a master signal (S1) to the slave transmitter and the slave transmitter can transmit a slave signal (S2) to the master transmitter. The master signal (S1) is a digital modulation in voltage. The slave signal (S2) is a digital modulation in current.

Abstract: A technique for providing short circuit protection in electrical systems used in hydrocarbon exploration and production and, more particularly, for such electrical systems comprising serially connected nodes, includes an apparatus and method. The apparatus, includes a power supply and a plurality of electrically serially connected application sensors downstream from the power supply. Each application sensor includes a sensing element; and a plurality of electronics associated with the sensing element. The electronics shut off upstream power to the downstream application sensors in the presence of a short circuit. The method includes serially supplying power to a downhole apparatus comprising a plurality of electrically serially connected downhole sensors; sensing, in series and upon receiving power from upstream, at each downhole sensor whether a downstream short circuit exists; and shutting off upstream power to the downstream downhole sensors in the presence of a short circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an authentication and/or rights containing retrievable token such as an IC card comprising at least one physical channel of communication to at least one apparatus and at least two logical channels of communication with said at least one apparatus wherein each logical channel of communication is associated with a different execution environment.

Abstract: A system for identifying an individual in an electronic transaction The system comprises a terminal (10, 12), an independent portable device (20) including a data processing means, and a wireless coupling means (RF COMMUNICATION) for exchanging individual-identification data between said terminal and said portable device. A body-medium communication means (OSC COMMUNICATION) including a transmitter in the terminal and a receiver in the portable device is provided to transmit from the terminal to the portable device a connection code (CONNECTION CODE) at the onset of a transaction upon physical contact established by the individual between the terminal and the portable device. A control means in the portable device checks said connection code received and conditionally issues to the terminal through said wireless coupling means (RF COMMUNICATION) a signal for enabling further execution of said transaction in response to said connection code complying with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A secure terminal comprises: primary means consisting of processing means, data and program storage means, security means and data input means, wherein the components of the primary means are interconnected by a first data bus; peripheral means consisting of printing means, means for reading from/writing to a card and means for accessing a telecommunications network, wherein the components of the peripheral means are interconnected by a second data bus; and power supply means connected to the primary and peripheral means. The primary means arc grouped in a main housing that cannot be dismantled without damaging at least one of the components of the primary means, and the peripheral means are grouped in at least one housing capable of being connected to the main housing.

Abstract: A portable object (1) of the smart card type comprises a main circuit (3, 8, 9, 10) for internal processing and storage of data. The main circuit comprises several integrated circuits (3, 10). The portable object comprises a supply voltage circuit (7) for applying a first supply voltage (3 to 5V) to one of the integrated circuits (3) of the main circuit and for applying a second, different supply voltage (1.2 to 1.8 V) to another integrated circuit (10) of the main circuit.

Abstract: A portable article of the smart card type and a method of transmitting data to such an article. The article comprises an article body and an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip comprises a central processor unit (CPU) connected via a data and address bus to memories (ROM, RAM, EEPROM), and at least four contact pads (VCC, GND, RST, VPP, CLK, I/O, D+, D?) connected to four contact areas (C1, C5, C4, C8) of a set of at least six contact areas flush with the surface of the card body. Two of the contacts pads (D+, D?) are connected to an interface of the card and are suitable for providing data transmission handled by the central processor unit (CPU) such as for transmitting data using the universal serial bus (USB) protocols and formats.

Abstract: A portable article of the smart card type and a method of transmitting data to such an article. The article comprises an article body and an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip comprises a central processor unit (CPU) connected via a data and address bus to memories (ROM, RAM, EEPROM), and at least four contact pads (VCC, GND, RST, VPP, CLK, I/O, D+, D?) connected to four contact areas (C1, C5, C4, C8) of a set of at least six contact areas flush with the surface of the card body. Two of the contacts pads (D+, D?) are connected to an interface of the card and are suitable for providing data transmission handled by the central processor unit (CPU) such as for transmitting data using the universal serial bus (USB) protocols and formats.

Abstract: This invention proposes a method to obtain the cost of transmitting a set of data from a transmitting means (3, 16) to a receiving means (2) via a network (4), wherein the receiving means (2) determines the volume of said set of data received and communicates it to a billing unit (18) so that the latter can evaluate the cost of said transmission using this information and possibly other information in its possession. This invention also concerns the systems used to implement said method especially in cellular packet radio-communication networks.

Abstract: This invention proposes a method to obtain the cost of transmitting a set of data from a transmitting means (2, 3, 16) to a receiving means (2, 3, 16) via a network (4), which consists of creating and sending with the set of data itself a data item, called a ticket (19, 23), used to determine the volume and/or the value of said set of data transmitted. Using said ticket, the receiving means can take into account the cost of executing said set of data thereby simplifying the billing. This invention also concerns the systems used to implement said method especially in cellular packet radiocommunication networks.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic component designed to implement a secret key cryptographic algorithm of the type comprising a microprocessor and storage units, characterised in that it comprises generating means for generating by themselves said secret key.

Abstract: The invention relates to protected keypad apparatus, in particular for machines actuated by insertion of an electronic smart card. The keypad proper (10) comprises n sensitive zones (Zi), each sensitive zone being associated with a respective sensor and with an individual processing circuit (14i) that includes in particular an encryption function. The sensor and the circuit form a monolithic unit. The apparatus further includes a driver unit (18) connected to each circuit (14i) via a bus (16). The circuits periodically and cyclically transmit encrypted signals indicating activation or non-activation of the sensitive zones.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining an encryption key associated with an integrated circuit having a memory plane that includes a matrix of electric contacts on it's surface and a layer of inhomogeneous electric resistivity material disposed on the matrix. An encryption key is determined by the integrated circuit on the basis of the random distribution of the electrical resistances connecting the various electric contacts of the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a security device containing secret information, of the type comprising a memory area of an integrated circuit receiving said information and protection means covering and fastened at least to the memory area. The protection means comprise at least a second integrated circuit. The device further includes interactive connecting means between the two integrated circuits and means for destroying the secret information if the connection is interrupted or disrupted.