Abstract: In a value transfer scheme, users are provided with programmable devices, for example, smart cards, capable of carrying data representing at least one available commodity value. Data representing user accounts is held at a remote processing station. Transactions between users are effected by the off-line exchange of data between users' respective smartcards, the exchanged data containing a record of each transaction entered into. The user account data for each user's account held at the remote processing station is updated only subsequently when the user's smartcard is on-line to the remote processing station and data therefrom is uploaded to the remote processing station. The scheme of the invention can, conveniently, be based around the ITSO scheme which is used to govern the secure transfer of data The scheme is capable of providing a secure multi-commodity value transfer system.

Abstract: In a value transfer scheme, users are provided with programmable devices, for example, smart cards, capable of carrying data representing at least one available commodity value. Data representing user accounts is held at a remote processing station. Transactions between users are effected by the off-line exchange of data between users'respective smartcards, the exchanged data containing a record of each transaction entered into. The user account data for each user's account held at the remote processing station is updated only subsequently when the user's smartcard is on-line to the remote processing station and data therefrom is uploaded to the remote processing station. The scheme of the invention can, conveniently, be based around the ITSO scheme which is used to govern the secure transfer of data. The scheme is capable of providing a secure multi-commodity value transfer system.

Abstract: A netting arrangement for use in trawling is described. The arrangement includes a grid portion 120 which is desirably collapsible and is formed from a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are provided with four sides, two sides having a substantially rigid nature and being separated from one another by flexible interconnectors. A netting and ramp arrangement is also described wherein the ramp assists in the selective expulsion of juvenile and small fish from the net.

Abstract: A programmable device carries an on-device file. An interface device is provided to interface with the programmable device, the interface device having an off-device file. Web (Internet) standard language operating software is stored in the programmable device in a compressed format, that software containing at least some of the file system and commands for accessing the file system which enable the on-device file and off-device file to interface with each other. The interface device further includes an upgrade file. The system operates to compare the upgrade file to the on-device file and upgrade the on-device file to the newer upgrade file. The system is further provided with a web (Internet) standard language file containing a configurable Security Environment. The system is further provided with a file including a data model (‘virtual card’) corresponding to a programmable device and adapted for downloading to the programmable device.

Abstract: A netting arrangement for use in trawling is described. The arrangement includes a grid portion 120 which is desirably collapsible and is formed from a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are provided with four sides, two sides having a substantially rigid nature and being separated from one another by flexible interconnectors. A netting and ramp arrangement is also described wherein the ramp assists in the selective expulsion of juvenile and small fish from the net.

Abstract: A smartcard comprises a substrate having a smartcard chip formed on it as well as a secondary memory device, for example, a FLASH ROM, operatively connected to the smartcard chip. The secondary memory device is capable of storing a plurality of pages of data, each having associated with it a unique sequence number, the sequence number being stored separately from the data page so that when the page is to be read, the sequence number retrieved with the page can be compared with the stored sequence number to authenticate the page.

Abstract: The invention provides an ITSO-based smartcard system including a programmable smartcard device for use in the ITSO scheme carrying a file system and operating software enabling the on-device file system to interface with at least one off-device ITSO application. At the interface, the off-device ITSO application is permitted to access and/or modify data in the on-device file system. The programmable smartcard device comprises monitoring means operable to monitor the sequence of operations carried out by the off-line application in accessing and/or modifying data in the on-device files and to restrict or prevent further access or modifications to such data if that sequence of operations does not meet predetermined criteria. Preferably, the monitoring means includes a state engine capable of being set to one of a plurality of states, at least one of which is an error state, in which further modification to the data in some or all of the on-device files is prevented until the sequence of operations is restarted.

Abstract: A programmable device, for example, a smartcard carries a file system and operating software enabling the on-device file system to interface with at least one off-device file and/or application at a terminal or interface device. The smartcard includes means such as a script engine for running a script command to modify the structure and content of the file system, or the commands to be used for accessing the file system, or any security conditions associated therewith. In the improved smartcard of the invention the script engine is operable to run a plurality of script commands in succession and to use an input/output buffer of the device as an accumulator to allow arithmetic operations. on values held in data files or in the accumulator itself under the control of one or more of said script commands. This allows the system to provide for arithmetic operations, such as ADD, SUBTRACT or COMPARE, or other similar customised operations.

Abstract: In a value transfer scheme, users are provided with programmable devices, for example, smart cards, capable of carrying data representing at least one available commodity value. Data representing user accounts is held at a remote processing station. Transactions between users are effected by the off-line exchange of data between users'respective smartcards, the exchanged data containing a record of each transaction entered into. The user account data for each user's account held at the remote processing station is updated only subsequently when the user's smartcard is on-line to the remote processing station and data therefrom is uploaded to the remote processing station. The scheme of the invention can, conveniently, be based around the ITSO scheme which is used to govern the secure transfer of data The scheme is capable of providing a secure multi-commodity value transfer system.

Abstract: A smartcard comprises a substrate having a smartcard chip formed on it as well as a secondary memory device, for example, a FLASH ROM, operatively connected to the smartcard chip. The secondary memory device is capable of storing a plurality of pages of data, each having associated with it a unique sequence number, the sequence number being stored separately from the data page so that when the page is to be read, the sequence number retrieved with the page can be compared with the stored sequence number to authenticate the page. To minimise the memory used on the smartcard to store the sequence numbers, some of the stored sequence numbers are stored in at least one data page stored on the secondary memory device, the sequence number for that at least one page being stored in the smartcard chip or the sequence numbers are XOR'd and the resultant digest is stored in the smartcard EEPROM. The sequence number associated with a particular page of data is incremented each time the page is modified or updated.

Abstract: A machine readable medium carries operating software for use in a system which comprises the programmable device carrying at least one on-device file and/or application and an interface device for interfacing with the or each programmable device. The interface device is provided with at least one one-off device file and/or application; the operating software. The operating software enables, in use, the on-device and off-device files and/or applications to interface with one another and includes at least one file formatted in a web (Internet) standard language for self-describing messages, preferably XML. This file contains at least some of the file system and commands for accessing the file system which allow the on-device and off-device files and/or applications to interface.