Abstract: A method and a communicating system to enhance the reliability of communication between devices by protecting against failure of a device, e.g. due to power interruption. Additional data is included in communication primitives transmitted between communicating devices. The additional data relates to state data of the device having generated the additional data. The additional data is used to check the state data. The state data may also be derivable from the additional data upon receiving the additional data back from an other device.

Abstract: Computer-readable medium storing a data structure for supporting persistant storage of a set of data, the data structure including: (a) at least an oldest version of the set of data in a first memory area the first memory area including at least one first tag for uniquely identifying the oldest version, and (b) at least a most recently updated version of the set of data in a second, distinct memory area, the second memory area including at least one second tag for uniquely identifying the most recently updated version. The invention also relates to a computer arrangement including a processor and such a computer-readable medium, as well as to a method of updating sets of data having such tagged-data structures.

Abstract: Means and a method for authenticating a photographic image (3) on an identification device (1), the identification device (1) being provided with: a photographic image of a person (3) and a microprocessor (8), the microprocessor (8) having: a) a processor (7), b) a memory (9) connected to the processor (7) and having stored authentication data, and c) interface means (5) connected to the processor (7) for communicating with an external device, wherein said photographic image (3) comprises stegano-graphically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image (3), the method having the following steps: a?) scanning the photographic image (3) and generating image data. b?) analyzing these image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and c?) carrying out the authentication of the photographic image (3) based on the hidden information and the authentication data.

Abstract: A computer arrangement with a processor (5) and at least one memory unit (7, 9, 11, 13) connected to the processor (5) and including dynamic random access memory (13), wherein the computer arrangement is arranged to use but not to refresh at least part of the dynamic random access memory (13) while running a program.

Abstract: Data exchange system includes at least one portable data processing unit with data communication processing and memory units, the latter including an executive program and one or more application descriptors, each application description including at least one interaction context comprising commands, data elements, data references, procedures, access conditions, and external references; the structure of the data elements and the data references as well as other references is chosen in such a way that a very efficient use of the restricted memory space of e.g. smart cards is obtained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting messages between communication devices via a communication channel allowing at least voice messages to be transmitted, the messages including data subdivided in a sequence of basic data units, the method including: a) encoding the basic data units as unique signals (usj) including a predetermined number of basic signals (bi), each basic signal having a unique fixed frequency (fi); b) transmitting a sequence of unique signals (usj) during a sequence of fixed time periods (t1, t2, t3, . . . ); c) receiving and decoding the sequence of unique signals (usj) into the sequence of basic data units; the data being transmitted in superposition over voice.

Abstract: Computer-readable medium provided with a memory area (2; 26, 28) for storing data and a distinct microprocessor (3) having a communication interface (4), a memory unit (7) and a processor unit (5) connected to both the communication interface (4) and the memory unit (7). The data may include a first data portion which is arranged to be read and decrypted by a computer arrangement (11) provided at least one condition is met, and the microprocessor (3) being arranged to generate at least one cryptographic key once the condition is met that is necessary to decrypt the data. The invention is also directed to a computer arrangement arranged to communicate with such a medium.

Abstract: A computer arrangement with a processor (5) and at least one memory unit (7, 9, 11, 13) connected to the processor (5) and including dynamic random access memory (13), wherein the computer arrangment is arranged to use but not to refresh at least part of the dynamic random access memory (13) while running a program.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting messages between communication devices via a communication channel allowing at least voice messages to be transmitted, the messages including data subdivided in a sequence of basic data units, the method including; a) encoding the basic data units as unique signals (usj) including a predetermined number of basic signals (bi), each basic signal having a unique fixed frequency (fi); b) transmitting a sequence of unique signals (usj) during a sequence of fixed time periods (t1, t2, t3, . . .); c) receiving and decoding the sequence of unique signals (usj) into the sequence of basic data units; the data being transmitted in superposition over voice.

Abstract: Means and a method for authenticating a photographic image (3) on an identification device (1), the identification device (1) being provided with: a photographic image of a person (3) and a microprocessor (8), the microprocessor (8) having: a) a processor (7), b) a memory (9) connected to the processor (7) and having stored authentication data, and c) interface means (5) connected to the processor (7) for communicating with an external device, wherein said photographic image (3) comprises steganographically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image (3), the method having the following steps: a?) scanning the photographic image (3) and generating image data, b?) analyzing these image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and c?) carrying out the authentication of the photographic image (3) based on the hidden information and the authentication data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting messages between communication devices via a communication channel allowing at least voice messages to be transmitted, the messages including data subdivided in a sequence of basic data units, the method including: a) encoding the basic data units as unique signals (usj) including a predetermined number of basic signals (bi), each basic signal having a unique fixed frequency (fi); b) transmitting a sequence of unique signals (usj) during a sequence of fixed time periods (t1, t2, t3, . . . ); c) receiving and decoding the sequence of unique signals (usj) into the sequence of basic data units; the data being transmitted in superposition over voice.

Abstract: Computer-readable medium storing a data structure for supporting persistant storage of a set of data, the data structure including: (a) at least an oldest version of the set of data in first memory area, the first memory area including at least one first tag for uniqueley indentifying the oldest version, and (b) at least a most recently updated version of the set of data in a second, distinct memory area, the second memory area including at least one second tag for uniquely identifying the most recently updated version. The invention also relates to a computer arrangement including a processor and such a computer-readable medium, as well as to a method of updating sets of data having such tagged-data structures.

Abstract: A computer arrangement with a processor (5) and at least one memory unit (7, 9, 11, 13) connected to the processor (5) and including dynamic random access memory (13), wherein the computer arrangment is arranged to use but not to refresh at least part of the dynamic random access memory (13) while running a program.

Abstract: A value transfer system of at least one VCD (Value Carrying Device) (1) and at least one VAD (Value Accepting Device) (2), the VAD (2) having a memory (53) for storing at least an aggregate value (28) of previous accepted values and a device for transferring a claiming message (13), the VCD (1) having a memory (52) for storing at least a balance value (7) and a device for transferring a proving message (14), wherein the VAD (2) includes into the claiming message (13) a transaction value (20), a previous aggregate value (21) and a corresponding previously computed proving cryptogram (22), the VCD (1) computes and includes into the electronic message (14) a transaction proving cryptogram (35), computed on the basis of the previous aggregate value (21), the corresponding previously computed proving cryptogram (22) and the transaction value (20), and the VCD (1) computes the at least one transaction proving cryptogram (35) only if it has established the correctness of the received previous aggregate value (21) by

Abstract: In a card charging system, especially for public transport services, there is included: (a) a card read/write unit for receiving one or more prepaid or credit cards; (b) a transaction recording-payment facility; and (c) a security module located between the card read/write unit and the transaction recording-payment facility, the recording-payment facility operable to receive signals from the security module to enable a purchase to be made in return for an amount of credit debited from said one or more cards, wherein a contactless concessionary card reading subsystem is connected to the security module, in addition to the card read/write unit for prepaid or credit cards. The system provides the benefit that it is capable of accommodating concessionary card reading subsystems and determining appropriate debiting associated therewith in addition to improved transaction recording and enhanced security.

Abstract: Data exchange system includes at least one portable data processing unit with data communication processing and memory units, the latter including an executive program and one or more application descriptors, each application description including at least one interaction context comprising commands, data elements, data references, procedures, access conditions, and external references; the structure of the data elements and the data references as well as other references is chosen in such a way that a very efficient use of the restricted memory space of e.g. smart cards is obtained.

Abstract: In a card charging system, especially for public transport services, a host ticket facility is operable by both credit cards usable at a card read/write device and concessionary payment cards usable at a contactless card reader, and a security and transaction device located between the card readers and the host facility stores in separate storage devices full fares and concessionary fares which the host facility is able to calculate. A card charging system, especially but not exclusively for payment of public transport fares is described, having one or more card readers and a security and transaction device connected between the card reader(s) and a host facility and for transmitting information back to a clearing centre, wherein the security and transaction device includes a number of non-volatile storage devices for error counting and transmitting related performance data back to the clearing centre.

Abstract: Data exchange system includes at least one portable data processing unit with data communication processing and memory units, the latter including an executive program and one or more application descriptors, each application description including at least one interaction context comprising commands, data elements, data references, procedures, access conditions, and external references; the structure of the data elements and the data references as well as other references is chosen in such a way that a very efficient use of the restricted memory space of e.g. smart cards is obtained.

Abstract: In a card charging system, especially for public transport services, a host ticket facility is operable by both credit cards usable at a card read/write device and concessionary payment cards usable at a contactless card reader, and a security and transaction device located between the card readers and the host facility stores in separate storage devices full fares and concessionary fares which the host facility is able to calculate. A card charging system, especially but not exclusively for payment of public transport fares is described, having one or more card readers and a security and transaction device connected between the card reader(s) and a host facility and for transmitting information back to a clearing center, wherein the security and transaction device includes a number of non-volatile storage devices for error counting and transmitting related performance data back to the clearing center.

Abstract: Data exchange system includes at least one portable data processing unit with data communication processing and memory units, the latter including an executive program and one or more application descriptors, each application description including at least one interaction context comprising commands, data elements, data references, procedures, access conditions, and external references; the structure of the data elements and the data references as well as other references is chosen in such a way that a very efficient use of the restricted memory space of e.g. smart cards is obtained.