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 a method for securely providing identification data of a banking card to a user. The invention is characterized in that said identification data of the banking card are directly created by said user from appropriate generating means (6, 1), the resulting generated card data are then communicated through telecommunication means (6, 5; 1, 2) to a computer server of a financial institution managing said card.

Abstract: A card comprises electrical contacts (32, 34) for communicating data in the form of a differential accordance with a universal serial bus (USB) standard. The card can be inserted in a card reader having complementary electrical contacts (16). The card has an insertion edge (A) which traverses the complementary electrical contacts when the card is inserted in the card reader in a correct fashion. The card comprises an electrical contact for receiving a power supply voltage which (22) electrical contact (22) is closer to the insertion edge than either electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts (32, 34) for communicating data in the form a differential signal in accordance the USB standard.

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: An integrated circuit device has a memory area that includes a data memory. The data memory has a counter element and an indicator element. The counter element counts at least one number of occurrences of events within the device. When the counter element reaches a threshold value, which is indicative of a large maximum number of occurrences of the events, the indicator element goes from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for securely providing identification data of a banking card to a user. The invention is characterised in that said identification data of the banking card are directly created by said user from appropriate generating means (6, 1), the resulting generated card data are then communicated through telecommunication means (6, 5; 1, 2) to a computer server of a financial institution managing said card.

Abstract: A card comprises electrical contacts (18, 22, 32, 34) for communicating in accordance with a universal serial bus standard. The card can be inserted in a card reader having complementary electrical contacts (16). The card has an insertion edge (A) which traverses the complementary A electrical contacts (16) when the card is inserted in the card reader in a correct fashion. The card comprises an electrical contact (22) for receiving a power supply voltage which electrical contact (22) is closer to the insertion edge (A) than any electrical contact for communicating data in accordance with the universal serial bus standard (32, 34).

Abstract: The invention relates to making use of a "black" list in a system where goods or services are provided in response to a memory card being presented. The complete "black" list is stored in the memory (46) of a computer center (40). The identification numbers of the cards are subdivided into a plurality of classes. The memory (28) of each local terminal (10) stores the ranks of classes having at least one identification number on the "black" list.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prepayment indoor telephone in which payment is performed by means of memory cards. In order to make the use of the telephone set (104) secure, a verification module (110) is connected to its telephone line (130) in the vicinity of the exchange (102). The verification module (110) and the telephone (104) periodically generate two respective versions of authentication information and these two versions are compared in the verification module (110). Authentication takes place only if the card reader (128) has delivered a signal indicating that the required telephone charge has been paid.

Abstract: The system comprises memory cards and card readers. The card memories (MEM) include validation memory points V.sub.j and credit memory points C.sub.i,j. The addresses of the validation points V.sub.j and the addresses of the associated credit point C.sub.i,j are defined by a reference table (TRR) and a permutation table (TP) which make use of a data item (Z.sub.F) which is specific to the card.

Abstract: A system for controlled meter parking of road vehicles comprising a parking meter and a portable terminal for use by a checker of the controlled meter parking. A keyboard allows drivers to enter vehicle data. A parking time limit is calculated as the function of the amount of money paid. The parking meter then stores pairs of data items, where each pair contains a vehicle data item and an associated parking time limit. In one embodiment, the amount of money is read from a memory card to allow the driver to receive credit for any time not used upon return to pick up the car. The system includes a clock for comparison with the parking time limits. When the comparison with the clock indicates that a parking time limit has expired, the associated pair of data items are deleted from the parking meter memory. A portable terminal allows a checker to enter identification data corresponding to a vehicle actually parked in one of the parking spaces.

Abstract: A card reader for electronic memory cards of the type which include a integrated circuit and integral electrical contact pads. The card reader includes a slot for introduction of the card. Within the slot are a series of contact elements for supplying power and information signals to the contact pads on the memory card. A card position detector, e.g. a microswitch, detects when the card is in the correct position, i.e. when the contact elements are contacting the electric contact pads of the memory card. When the card is so positioned, electric power and information signals are applied to the contact elements and then to the integrated circuit of the memory card via the electric contact pads.