Abstract: An electronic smart card adapted to be inserted into a PCMCIA interface or other smart card reader and an interface adapted to be plugged into a card reader and including at least one recess whose dimensions permit only a partial insertion of the smart card, where that portion of the smart card which cannot be inserted into the PCMCIA interface or the like includes at least one recognition device.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards with several integrated circuits for personal computers. These PC-cards are used as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. To protect the content of these PC-cards against unauthorized use, the invention proposes the incorporation into the card (CC) of a specific security integrated circuit chip (MPS), which performs a clearance function for access to the memory chips (MEM). A microcontroller (MPC) also placed in the card communicates with the computer and with the security circuit. It makes the security chip validate a confidential code introduced from the computer, while also supplying memory chip control signals as a function of the validation result.

Abstract: A method for downloading functions between a personal computer including one or more processors, a memory, an input/output unit and a communication unit, and a memory or input/output PCMCIA card having a buffer memory, a PCMCIA Interface is provided between the computer and the cared. The method loads into the buffer memory, through fast access to the memory, a function which is directly sent to the processor of the PCMCIA card for execution.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards having several integrated circuits for personal computers.These memory or PC-cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In order to improve the possibilities of these cards, it is proposed that to them be added a microprocessor (MPC) and the direct wiring of the operational bus (BD2) of said microprocessor to the card memory (MEM). In this way, a card is obtained which contains in direct form performable programs previously loaded by the computer (PC) in which has been inserted the card. Thus, the microprocessor functions not only with an internal set program memory, but also with performable programs loaded into the card by the computer and which can therefore be modified at random (provided that the user clearance procedures are respected).

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory or PC-cards with several integrated circuits for personal computers. These PC-cards are used as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. To protect the content of these PC-cards against unauthorized use, the invention proposes the incorporation into the card (CC) of a specific security integrated circuit chip (MPS), which performs a clearance function for access to the memory chips (MEM). A microcontroller (MPC) also placed in the card comnunicates with the computer and with the security circuit. It makes the security chip validate a confidential code introduced from the computer, whilst also supplying memory chip control signals as a function of the validation result.

Abstract: The invention relates to memory cards that can be plugged into personal computers.Personal computers often have a connector designed to receive a memory extension in the form of a plug-in integrated circuit card. The invention proposes a card structure designed for communications between the computer and the exterior (fax, model, etc.), this card being capable of being plugged into the memory extension connector without any need to change the operation protocol of this connector. The card has a connector (CNC) for connection to the computer, a connector (CNX) for connection with the exterior, an internal microprocessor (MP), a non-volatile memory (MNV) containing programs that can be performed by the microcomputer and containing organizational data relating to all the memories of the card, and a volatile memory containing at least one file used for the transfer of the data elements to be exchanged.

Abstract: A memory or PC-cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replicating floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In order to improve these cards, there is added a microprocessor (MPC) with the direct wiring of the operational bus (BD2) of said microprocessor to the card memory (MEM). In this way, the card contains performable programs previously loaded by the computer (PC). Thus, the cards microprocessor functions not only with an internal set program memory, but also with performable programs loaded into the card by the computer. These programs can be modified as needed (provided that the user clearance procedures are respected).

Abstract: Method of communication between a processing unit associated with an applications program and portable information carriers of different types. It consists in adding a communications layer between the applications program and the carriers, so as to only one communications protocol in the applications program to access the carriers, whatever may be their type.

Abstract: A method for securing access to detachable cards of the mass storage or I/O type using a password to encipher the address of the configuration register placed in the descriptor of the card, which descriptor is stored in a non-volatile memory of the card. The method prevents a computer from configuring the card unless a correct password is provided.

Abstract: A multi-applications portable card that can be plugged in notably into a reader of a personal computer comprises a first connector designed for a connection with the reader and positioned on the periphery of a pack. The portable card comprises, firstly, a mobile rack positioned on an edge of the card that gets fitted into a cavity of the pack, the mobile rack further including a housing provided with a bottom and designed to receive a chip borne by a token and, secondly, a second connector electronically linked to the first connector. The disclosed device can be applied in particular to PCMCIA cards.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory cards having several integrated circuits for personal computers. These memory cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In particular, they have a plug-in connector (12) at the end of the card and can be inserted in the reader in accordance with PCMCIA standards of a microcomputer. According to an aspect of the invention, a flush contact chip card memory is formed by such a plug-in card (10) and for this purpose the latter has a supplementary connector with flush contacts on its principal face (14). The thus formed reader is transportable, with its application software stored in the card (10) and can be installed in any random microcomputer equipped with a PCMCIA reader. A credit card or security card (18) can then be inserted in the transportable reader. The memory card is typical a PCMCIA size card with a recess on one major plane surface and the security cards fits into this recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory cards having several integrated circuits for personal computers. These memory cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In particular, they have a plug-in connector (12) at the end of the card and can be inserted in the reader in accordance with PCMCIA standards of a micro-computer. According to an aspect of the invention, a flush contact chip card memory is formed by such a plug-in card (10) and for this purpose the latter has a supplementary connector with flush contacts on its principal face (14). The thus formed reader is transportable, with its application software stored in the card (10) and can be installed in any random microcomputer equipped with a PCMCIA reader. A credit card or security card (18) can then be inserted in the transportable reader. The memory card is typical a PCMCIA size card with a recess on one major plane surface and the security card fits into this recess.

Abstract: The method for the management of transactions in a system including card readers and the associated microcircuit cards consists in organizing the memory of the cards, designed for the recording of the transactions, in two zones, one zone that is accessible through the presenting of the bearer code at each transaction, for the transactions involving sums above a predetermined value, the other zone being accessible for the transactions involving sums that are below the predetermined value, without any systematic presenting of the bearer's code: a presenting of the bearer's code commands the writing of opening bits of recording spaces in this second zone until the number of open spaces is equal to N which is a predetermined value. The disclosed method can be applied, notably, to credit cards, telephone cards and multiple-use cards.

Abstract: The method of loading applications programs into a memory card reader having a microprocessor, connected by telephone to a server center, and suitable for executing these applications is such that the applications programs are stored in the memories of cards entitled to said applications while corresponding application pointers are stored in the server center, with the method consisting, once a card has been inserted in the reader, in setting up a telephone call from the reader to the server, in transferring the pointer for the application requested by the reader over the telephone line, in the reader interpreting the pointer to find the corresponding application program in the card, and then in transferring the program very quickly to the reader for the purpose of executing it. The invention applies in particular to those applications programs which are run most frequently from a memory card.

Abstract: To avoid the need for making microprocessor-fitted bank cards which, although they cost little, are in a relatively far too expensive range, money cards with only memory zones are made. They then have four memory zones, one zone pertaining to the identity of the bearer or to that of the card, one zone pertaining to the financial balance, a third zone pertaining to an interaction counter. This interaction counter counts the number of financial operations performed with the card. A fourth zone includes a certificate. This certificate is prepared, in each reader that performs a transaction with the card, with a DES algorithm. The value of this certificate is a function, according to an algorithm common to all the readers, of the identity, the content of the interaction counter and the balance. When a new operation is performed with the card, it is ascertained beforehand that the content of the certificate is the same as the one that can be recomputed by any terminal provided with the same algorithm.