Abstract: Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object (such as a comparison with parameters of the request to determine whether the request may be satisfied). Objects within the request may be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request may be used to provide greater security. For example, a store may be able to interpret the request, while credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank may decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object (such as a comparison with parameters of the request to determine whether the request may be satisfied). Objects within the request may be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request may be used to provide greater security. For example, a store may be able to interpret the request, while credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank may decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object (such as a comparison with parameters of the request to determine whether the request may be satisfied). Objects within the request may be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request may be used to provide greater security. For example, a store may be able to interpret the request, while credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank may decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus for communication in a distributed object-oriented data processing environment. Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object. Objects within the request can be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request can be used to provide greater security. For example a store may be able to interpret the request, but credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank can decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus for communication in a distributed object-oriented data processing environment. Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object. Objects within the request can be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request can be used to provide greater security. For example a store may be able to interpret the request, but credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank can decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus for communication in a distributed object-oriented data processing environment. Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within a object (such as a comparison with parameters of the request to determine whether the request can be satisfied). Objects within the request can be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request can be used to provide greater security.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus for communication in a distributed object-oriented data processing environment. Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within an object. Objects within the request can be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request can be used to provide greater security. For example a store may be able to interpret the request, but credit details may be separately encrypted such that only a bank can decrypt that subcomponent of the request.

Abstract: A distributed data processing system such as a retail store customer transaction network using smart cards provides an object oriented processing environment at each transaction terminal to enable smart cards of different types to be handled by loading card handling objects appropriate to cards presented and the reader to which they are presented.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus for communication in a distributed object-oriented data processing environment. Requests for retrieval of data items from another data processing apparatus include embedded objects having executable class functions for performing operations at the target data processing apparatus. This has the advantages of the request implicitly sending data as well as requesting data and allows the request to perform a test on data within a object (such as a comparison with parameters of the request to determine whether the request can be satisfied). Objects within the request can be embedded within each other with different encryption and compression applied to the different objects. As well as achieving communication efficiencies, the ability to selectively encrypt components of a request can be used to provide greater security.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a mechanism for dynamically controlling the performance of communication-related operations of a mobile device in accordance with legislative requirements of the particular location of the mobile device and the location of the computing device with which it is to communicate, and also in accordance with communication requirements of application programs at either end of the communication link. A first use of the invention is for ensuring conformance of a mobile device's communications to the cryptographic requirements of different countries, even when the device crosses a country boundary during communication.

Abstract: In a distributed data processing system each component is provided with an object orientated platform together with instantiations of a generic network object for each application involving data transmission, enabling it to run a multiplexing/demultiplexing object appropriate to each application being processed. This effectively provides multiple concurrent data “pipes” over a single physical/logical connection.

Abstract: The security and integrity of card initiated transactions are improved by encrypting processes involved in such transactions and controlling access to the processes by developing decryption keys partially from data derived from a card presented by an intending user and partially from personal data supplied by the user. In an embodiment a hierarchy of security levels provides for users of different authority to access selected processes.

Abstract: The security of stored data and applications is improved by and access control system and method in which user keys for accessing the stored data/services which keys are provided to users are representative of the user's level of authority, such that there is no need to maintain a separate lookup table of user authority levels. This removes a potential security exposure from the system. The user keys are advantageously hierarchical, including data for generating a plurality of different access keys for each of a plurality of different access levels. The access keys may be decryption keys for encrypted data or application programs. The invention is applicable to SmartCard systems.

Abstract: A method of executing a transaction on a smartcard of the type including a processor, a memory for storing a system program, an application programs and for storing data and an interface enabling communication with an external processor in a local terminal adapted to access related data is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining from the data stored on the smartcard in a pre-transaction state if the transaction can be executed validly by the smartcard (102); determining from the related data stored in a pre-transaction state and accessible by said external processor if the transaction can be executed validly by the external processor (102); in response to said determining steps being affirmative, executing said transaction on said smartcard and by said external processor (105); and in response to said smartcard or said external processor failing to execute said transaction, restoring said data and said related data to the or each pre-transaction state (108).