[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0018889A1 - Process for prolonging the validity of the memory working zone of a data carrier - Google Patents

Process for prolonging the validity of the memory working zone of a data carrier Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0018889A1
EP0018889A1 EP80400547A EP80400547A EP0018889A1 EP 0018889 A1 EP0018889 A1 EP 0018889A1 EP 80400547 A EP80400547 A EP 80400547A EP 80400547 A EP80400547 A EP 80400547A EP 0018889 A1 EP0018889 A1 EP 0018889A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recording medium
memory
character
information
register
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP80400547A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0018889B1 (en
Inventor
Jean Henri Mollier
Michel Ugon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bull SAS
Original Assignee
CII Honeywell Bull
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=9224748&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0018889(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by CII Honeywell Bull filed Critical CII Honeywell Bull
Publication of EP0018889A1 publication Critical patent/EP0018889A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0018889B1 publication Critical patent/EP0018889B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G07F7/1008—Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device allowing the reuse or recycling of identifiable recording media using identification data recorded on / in said media and composed of non-volatile, erasable monolithic memories.
  • Non-volatile memories have the property of permanently retaining information that they contain in the absence of external electrical power.
  • Non-volatile memories are magnetic tapes, magnetic core memories, bubble memories, semiconductor memories made using MNOS technology, an abbreviation of the English term "Metal Nitride Oxide Silicon". These memories are also erasable by the action of electronic organs external to these memories.
  • All the memories can contain a maximum number of information which depends on the number of elementary cells which they contain and which define their capacity.
  • the capacity of a non-volatile memory therefore limits its use over time.
  • the amount of information stored reaches the useful capacity of the memory, two solutions are available to the user of the memory.
  • the first solution is expensive, the second is far better.
  • the information already stored cannot be altered, which would remove any credibility from the devices using such recording media.
  • the holders of these memories cannot modify or even erase the information already stored.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a device which allows the erasure of non-volatile memories of the aforementioned type only under certain conditions, by depriving the holders of the recording media provided with said memories of any possibility allowing them to proceed themselves. same to this erasure.
  • the erasing of the memories making up the recording media can only take place in a private or administrative service accredited to do so.
  • non-volatile and erasable monolithic memories are for the most part produced using semiconductors sensitive to certain external physical disturbances.
  • the exposure of these memories to electromagnetic radiation, in particular ultraviolet radiation, can modify the magnitude of the distributed electrical charges, thus modifying the nature of the information stored.
  • Several devices can be implemented to keep the integrity of the information stored. It is possible to have absorption screens between the memories and the radiation sources, to create regeneration cycles of the stored electrical charges, to provide safety devices at the level of the electrical energy supplies or to reserve a zone of the memory when writing a witness character warning by its state that the memory has been exposed to external physical disturbances.
  • a device for storage containing a witness character is described in French patent applications No. 78 36 545 and No. 78 36 543.
  • the introduction of a witness character in the erasable non-volatile memories makes the use of these memories as safe as that obtained with memories whose technology makes writing irreversible.
  • the semiconductor diode memories are irreversible memories, because the memorization of an information element is carried out by snapping the junction separating the N & P semiconductor zones constituting a diode.
  • the device according to the invention must be able to operate with recording media provided with the aforementioned security devices and must make fraudulent manipulation ineffective in the memory of the recording medium.
  • the erasure of the recording medium by the device of the invention will only take place by the action of a person authorized to introduce into the erasure device the information necessary for its commissioning. This information is compared inside the device to corresponding information stored inside the memory of the recording medium to reveal to the device the true identity of the recording media.
  • the identity of said support will be established either using a serial number which will be assigned to it during its manufacture, or using an identification key which it will have received when it was delivered to its holder and by a validation character which will recognize that all the data located inside the recording medium is credible or by all of these two possibilities.
  • the system for the erasure of information stored inside a recording medium containing identification data is characterized in that it comprises means for reading and interpreting the identification data for authorize the erasure of the information stored on the recording medium and to command means for writing a validation code of the recording medium in order to make it suitable for other services when the erasing operation has has been authorized for the means of interpretation of identification data.
  • Another characteristic of the invention is that a special code is provided for writing the identification data of the recording medium or code N among M in which N represents the number of binary elements in the bray state 1 or the number of binary elements in state 0 among the M binary elements used so that the device can detect that an erasure attempt has taken place which will have had the consequence of modifying the configuration M among N adopted by change of the number N from 1 or 0 composing the identification data code.
  • the conformity of the identification data with this rule will be verified by means of interpretation.
  • an invalidation character will be written inside the recording medium comprising N + q binary elements at 0 or N + q binary elements at 1 among the M binary elements constituting this character, so as to prohibit any further use of the recording medium.
  • any code can be used, including the code M among N, in particular this code can be made up of an alternating sequence of 0 or 1 in order to obtain greater security.
  • the device shown in Figure 1 consists of a recycling machine cooperating on the one hand with the recording medium 2 to erase and validate for other uses and on the other hand with a file 3 to check the identity of the recording medium to be deleted and of an authorization card 4 belonging to the operator accredited to carry out the recycling operation and in which an identification code is stored.
  • Each serial number corresponds to a recording medium which, when given to its holder by the accredited body, receives another identification code or key. Thus, each serial number corresponds to a key. A representation of the key serial number correspondence is recorded in file 3.
  • File 3 can be kept on any recording medium, magnetic tapes or magnetic disks as shown in Figure 2.
  • the recycling operation can begin when the device has verified that the operator is properly accredited. For this, the operator must introduce into the device an authorization card containing the operator's identification code and simultaneously enter his identification code or password on a keyboard.
  • the authorization card will communicate to the machine where its use is intended the information necessary for recycling.
  • the authorization card may consist of a simple magnetic card or a semiconductor memory of the ROM or PROM type, abbreviations of the English terms “Read Only Memory” or “Programmable Read Only Memory” .
  • a particular embodiment of the recycling machine is shown at 1 in FIG. 2. It comprises a microprocessor 7 to which is added two memories, a PROM read-only memory 8 and a RAM RAM 9. It is known that a RAM has the property of being erasable and that it is possible to read and rewrite all or part of the information contained therein. On the other hand, a read only memory cannot be erased and only the information stored therein can be read.
  • the BUSD or the data line D conveys the data or information transmitted between the microprocessor 7, the PROM memory 8, the RAM memory 9 and the external members connected to the recycling machine.
  • the external organs are the recording medium to be recycled 2, the magnetic disk unit 3, the keyboard for entering the password 5, the card reader 6 into which the card is inserted. operator authorization 4.
  • the PROM memories, RAM 9 as well as the memory M of the recording medium to be recycled are addressed from the microprocessor 7 by the BUS A or address line A.
  • the microprocessor 7 sends the various commands from the external organs for the connection C 0 , itself decomposed into C l , C 2 , C 3 and C 4 in Figure 2.
  • FIG. 3 represents the organization of the areas of the memory M 10 of the recording medium to be recycled 2.
  • This memory is an erasable non-volatile memory which will preferably be produced in MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technology so that the information stored can be kept for a very long time (years) without being altered while being able to be erased in whole or in part at any time.
  • the memory shown contains 300 words of 4 bits each. It is recalled here that the word bit is used to designate the smallest amount of information which, expressed in a binary language, can only take two states 0 or 1.
  • the addressing of this memory is done by words and in the example represented, the memory has a matrix organization of 76 lines and 4 columns. A word is found at the intersection of a row and a column.
  • the locations of the words in the memory are identified by a number from 0 to 299. On line 0 corresponds the words 0 to 3 to line 1 the words 4 to 7, etc ... to line 75 the words 296 to 299
  • the addressing of a memory word is carried out by depositing a 9-bit address word on the BUS A representing 512 possible addresses although 300 here are useful.
  • the 2 least significant bits are used for addressing columns 0 to 3 of the memory while the 7 other bits are used for addressing the lines.
  • the 2 column addressing bits are decoded by the D POS 12 position decoder, the 7 row addressing bits are decoded by the D ADM 11 address decoder.
  • the addressing code used is the natural binary code .
  • a memory location thus addressed can be read or written.
  • a read command 2 positions the memory read circuits and the content of the addressed memory location is placed in the data register RD.
  • a write command E positions the memory write circuits and the data to be written are first placed on the BUS D to be transferred to the register RD 13 and then secondly transferred to the addressed memory location.
  • the RD register is 16 bits long, so it can contain 4 words.
  • the RD locations (0 to 3) of the RD register are intended to receive the words of column 0 of the memory, in the same way the RD locations (4, 7) receive the words of column 1, R D (8 to 11) receive the words of column 3 and RD (12 to 15) receive the words of column 3. It is recalled here that the BUSA and D are connected to the microprocessor 7 of FIG. 2.
  • Zone 1 contains all the attributes of the recording medium necessary for its identification, whether during its use for the service for which the medium is normally intended or during the recycling operation.
  • Zone 2 is a work area reserved for the storage of information collected during normal use of the recording medium. During the recycling operation, all the information present in zone 2 must be deleted.
  • the key character will preferably be represented with a code composed of M bits comprising a predetermined number N of bits at 1 or at 0 (code M by N).
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the control means used to control the recycling operation. These control means being constituted by the microprocessor.
  • This microprocessor comprises a data bus, an address bus and a command bus, a logic arithmetic unit 14, an accumulator register 15, an operation results storage register SR 14, an address register RA 17, an instruction register RI18, an instruction decoder 19, an ordinal counter (program counter) 20, a backup register SP21, data input / output registers 1023 and IB 24.
  • An operand placed on the bus D is transmitted to input 1 of the logical arithmetic unit ALU14 by the link d4, the second operand is taken from the accumulator register ACCU15 and is transmitted to input 2 of unit 2 of the logical arithmetic unit ALU15, the result of the calculation carried out between these two operands can be transmitted in the register SR 16 or in the accumulator register 15 by the connections d7, d9, BUS D and d5.
  • the register SR 16 stores the status bits C, S, F which are calculation results and which allow branching operations towards other subroutines.
  • An instruction placed on the bus D is transmitted in the register RI 18 by the link Dl.
  • the register RI essentially contains two locations, one reserved for storing the instruction operation code (COP), the other at its address.
  • the operation code is transmitted to the instruction decoder 19 for the line d3, which transmits on the line C4 then on the bus C the commands necessary for the execution of the instruction.
  • the address part of the instruction is transmitted for line d2 on BUS D.
  • the register RA contains the address of the data or information sought in the recycling device, this address can be in one of the two PROMs RAM 8 or 9 or in the recording medium 2, it is transmitted to the bus a by the binding.
  • the PC computer 20 is loaded from BUS D via line d10, output 2 is connected to the input of register SP21, output 2 of which is connected by line dl2 to the data bus BUS D.
  • the output 2 of the counter 20 is also connected by line a 2 to the address bus BUS A.
  • the content of the ordinal counter 20 can be increased by one unit from a clock not shown.
  • the registers IO 22 and IB 23 have their inputs / outputs both connected to BUS D and serve as a buffer register.
  • the programs and microprograms contained in the memories 8, 9 or 10 could therefore be addressed indifferently by the ordinal counter PC 20 or by the register RA 17.
  • the information read at the addressed locations of these memories will be transferred to BUS D in the instruction register RI 18, if it is an instruction, or transferred to input 1 of the logical arithmetic unit or in the accumulator register 15 or in the IO register 22 if it is data. These transfers will take place according to the type of instruction used.
  • Information to writing to the locations of the memories addressed by the address information presented on the BUS A will be transferred to the BUS D via the buffer register IB 23.
  • the BUS D will also be used to transfer data or information between registers ,.
  • the address part of the instruction contained in the RI register may be transferred from a subroutine or microprogram whose progress is necessary to execute the instruction.
  • the result of an operation obtained on two operands can be stored in the accumulator register 15 ; in the RAM 9 in the register RD of the recording medium 2 or in the register IB with a view to its transfer for example to the disk drive 3.
  • the device which has just been described therefore makes it possible to execute sequentially the operations necessary for recycling the recording media. These operations require the execution by the control means of an input / output program to execute the transfer of the information from the memory to disk 3 in the memory RAM 9 of FIG. 2.
  • the disk 3 contains as it was said previously the key correspondence file and serial number of the recording media in circulation.
  • This input / output operation for transferring data from a disk into the RAM 9 is a very conventional operation which is similar to that encountered in all data processing systems.
  • step 51 the invalidation character stored on the recording medium is tested; if this test is positive, the recording medium is rendered unusable. If the test is negative, the validation character of the recording medium is deleted (step 53).
  • the character of invalidation of the recording medium having been tested in step 51, step 54 consists in reading the serial number of the recording medium in order to obtain the associated key via the file of the recycling machine. Pa " : the control means a comparison is made between the key thus sought and the key contained in the recording medium (step 54 and 55). If the test is correct, a validation character is written in the recording medium (step 56).
  • step 57 The device checks in step 57 that this character has been correctly written, if this is the case, the operation of erasing the other areas of the memory of the recording medium is carried out (step 58). If the tests carried out in steps 51 and 55 prove to be incorrect, the information medium is definitively put out of use by writing an invalidation character (step 59). All other retraining attempts will be thereafter unsuccessful because the control means by reading the key from the recording medium in step 51 will detect a false key which will prevent operations 52 to 58 from continuing. If the validation character test in step 57 proves to be incorrect , the device will not start erasing the other areas of the memory and will repeat steps 51 to 57 until the writing of the validation character proves successful.
  • step 56 to 57 we will observe the symmetry of the operations associated with the normal process (step 56 to 57) with the process of operations associated with a error (step 59 to 60) where step 60 consists in testing the invalidation character so as to achieve operating symmetry of the microprocessor and in testing that the character has indeed been written. This symmetry makes ineffective any attempts to observe the signals on the transmission or supply lines in order to prevent the positioning of the invalidation character.
  • the sequence of operations which has just been indicated may be carried out using a firmware written in the PROM memory 8.
  • the instruction register RI 18 contains the start address of the firmware in the PROM memory 8. This address is transferred to the computer PC 20.
  • the progress of computer PC 20 from a unit from the start address of the firmware will allow the necessary execution of the microinstructions corresponding to this firmware.
  • the list of microinstructions identified by the state of the PC 20 computer counter is as follows:
  • FIG 6 is an alternative embodiment of the recycling machine shown in Figure 1 wherein the control elements of the recycling operation are located inside the recording medium.
  • the microprocessor 7, the PROM memory 8 and the data memory M 10 are found incorporated on the same support.
  • the memory control means M are integrated into the information medium.
  • a monolithic structure will be given to all of the electronic elements incorporated in said support in order to make it impossible to test the signals passing between the memory 10, the microprocessor 7 and the PROM memory 8.
  • the recycling machine 1 mainly consists of the RAM memory 9 and of the elements necessary (not shown) for establishing the connections between the recording medium 2, the keyboard 5, the disc 3 and the reader. the authorization card 4.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Storage Device Security (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Le dispositif selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de lecture (13) et d'interprétation (7) des données d'identification pour autoriser l'effacement des informations mémorisées dans le support d'enregistrement (2) et pour commander des moyens d'écriture (7) d'un code de validation du support d'enregistrement afin de le rendre apte à d'autres services lorsque l'opération d'effacement a été autorisée par les moyens d'interprétation (7) des données d'identification.The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for reading (13) and interpreting (7) identification data to authorize the erasure of the information stored in the recording medium (2) and to control means for writing (7) a code for validating the recording medium in order to make it suitable for other services when the erasing operation has been authorized by the interpretation means (7 ) identification data.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif permettant la réutilisation ou le recyclage de supports d'enregistrement identifiables à l'aide de données d'identification enregistrées sur/dans lesdits supports et composés de mémoires monolithiques non volatiles, effaçables.The present invention relates to a device allowing the reuse or recycling of identifiable recording media using identification data recorded on / in said media and composed of non-volatile, erasable monolithic memories.

Les mémoires non volatiles ont la propriété de conserver en permanence des informations qu'elles contiennent en l'absance d'alimentation électrique extérieure. Les bandes magnétiques, les mémoires à tores magnétiques, les mémoires à bulles, les mémoires à semi-conducteurs réalisées en technologie MNOS, abréviation du terme anglo-saxon "Métal Nitride Oxyde Silicium" constituent des mémoires non volatiles. Ces mémoires sont aussi effaçables par l'action d'organes électroniques externes à ces mémoires.Non-volatile memories have the property of permanently retaining information that they contain in the absence of external electrical power. Non-volatile memories are magnetic tapes, magnetic core memories, bubble memories, semiconductor memories made using MNOS technology, an abbreviation of the English term "Metal Nitride Oxide Silicon". These memories are also erasable by the action of electronic organs external to these memories.

Toutes les mémoires peuvent contenir un nombre maximum d'informations qui dépend du nombre des cellules élémentaires qu'elles contiennent et qui définissent leur capacité.All the memories can contain a maximum number of information which depends on the number of elementary cells which they contain and which define their capacity.

La capacité d'une mémoire non volatile limite donc dans le temps son utilisation. Lorsque le nombre d'informations mémorisées atteint la capacité utile de la mémoire, deux solutions s'offrent à l'utilisateur de la mémoire.The capacity of a non-volatile memory therefore limits its use over time. When the amount of information stored reaches the useful capacity of the memory, two solutions are available to the user of the memory.

Il peut s'en dessaisir et en prendre une autre, vide d'informations. Il peut aussi songer à effacer (vider) le contenu de la partie utilisée lors de l'usage du support d'information de façon à rendre disponible la mémoire pour une autre utilisation.He can give it up and take another one, empty of information. He can also consider erasing (emptying) the content of the part used when using the information medium so as to make the memory available for another use.

La première solution est chère, la deuxième est de loin préférable. Cependant, dans certaines applications, type carte de crédit, il est impératif qu'en cours d'utilisation, les informations déjà mémorisées ne puissent être altérées, ce qui retirerait toute crédibilité aux dispositifs utilisant de tels supports d'enregistrement. Dans ces applications, les détenteurs de ces mémoires ne peuvent modifier ou même effacer les informations qéjà mémorisées.The first solution is expensive, the second is far better. However, in certain applications, such as a credit card, it is imperative that during use, the information already stored cannot be altered, which would remove any credibility from the devices using such recording media. In these applications, the holders of these memories cannot modify or even erase the information already stored.

Le but de l'invention est donc de réaliser un dispositif qui permette l'effacement des mémoires non volatiles du type précité seulement dans certaines conditions, en privant les titulaires des supports d'enregistrement munis desdites mémoires de toute possibilité leur permettant de procéder eux-mêmes à cet effacement.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device which allows the erasure of non-volatile memories of the aforementioned type only under certain conditions, by depriving the holders of the recording media provided with said memories of any possibility allowing them to proceed themselves. same to this erasure.

Selon l'invention, l'effacement des mémoires composant les supports d'enregistrement ne pourra avoir lieu que dans un service privé ou administratif accrédité à le faire.According to the invention, the erasing of the memories making up the recording media can only take place in a private or administrative service accredited to do so.

Ceci suppose naturellement que des précautions soient prises au niveau des supports d'enregistrement eux-mêmes, de façon à dissuader les porteurs peu scrupuleux de ces supports d'enregistrement d'en altérer le contenu.This naturally presupposes that precautions are taken at the level of the recording media themselves, so as to dissuade the unscrupulous carriers of these recording media from altering the content thereof.

On sait en effet que les mémoirees monolithiques non volatiles et effaçables sont pour la plupart réalisées à l'aide de semi-conducteurs sensibles à certaines perturbations physiques externes. L'exposition de ces mémoires à des rayonnements électromagnétiques notamment les ultra-violets, peut modifier la grandeur des charges électriques réparties, modifiant ainsi la nature des informations stockées.We know that the non-volatile and erasable monolithic memories are for the most part produced using semiconductors sensitive to certain external physical disturbances. The exposure of these memories to electromagnetic radiation, in particular ultraviolet radiation, can modify the magnitude of the distributed electrical charges, thus modifying the nature of the information stored.

Ainsi pour une information mémorisée sous la forme d'un mot à M éléments binaires et comprenant N éléments binaires dans l'état 1 et les M-N restant dans l'état 0, l'exposition à un rayonnement peut modifier l'état des éléments binaires constituant cette information, si bien qu'il peut en résulter un mot binaire modifié dans lequel N + q éléments binaires se retrouvent dans l'état 1 et les M - (N+q) restants se retrouvent dans l'état 0.Thus, for information stored in the form of a word with M binary elements and comprising N binary elements in state 1 and the MN remaining in state 0, exposure to radiation can modify the state of binary elements constituting this information, so that it may result in a modified binary word in which N + q binary elements are found in state 1 and the remaining M - (N + q) are found in state 0.

Des accès répétés diminuent progressivement les quantités d'éléctricité stockées. Des défauts des générateurs de courant ou de tension alimentant ces mémoires peuvent perturber et modifier les informations mémorisées.Repeated access progressively decreases the quantities of electricity stored. Faults in the current or voltage generators supplying these memories can disturb and modify the stored information.

Plusieurs dispositifs peuvent être mis en oeuvre pour garder l'intégrité des informations mémorisées. Il est possible de disposer des écrans d'absorption entre les mémoires et les sources de rayonnement, de créer des cycles de régénération des charges électriques stockées, de prévoir des dispositifs de sécurité au niveau des alimentations en énergie électrique ou de réserver une zone de la mémoire à l'inscription d'un caractère témoin avertissant par son état que la mémoire a été exposée à des perturbations physiques extérieures. Un dispositif de mémorisation contenant un caractère témoin est décrit dans les demandes de brevet françaises n° 78 36 545 et n° 78 36 543. L'introduction d'un caractère témoin dans les mémoires non volatiles effaçables rend l'utilisation de ces mémoires aussi sûre que celle obtenue avec des mémoires dont la technologie rend l'écriture irréversible. Les mémoires à diode semiconductrice sont des mémoires irréversibles, car la mémorisation d'un élément d'information s'effectue en claquant la jonction séparant les zones semiconductrices N & P constituant une diode.Several devices can be implemented to keep the integrity of the information stored. It is possible to have absorption screens between the memories and the radiation sources, to create regeneration cycles of the stored electrical charges, to provide safety devices at the level of the electrical energy supplies or to reserve a zone of the memory when writing a witness character warning by its state that the memory has been exposed to external physical disturbances. A device for storage containing a witness character is described in French patent applications No. 78 36 545 and No. 78 36 543. The introduction of a witness character in the erasable non-volatile memories makes the use of these memories as safe as that obtained with memories whose technology makes writing irreversible. The semiconductor diode memories are irreversible memories, because the memorization of an information element is carried out by snapping the junction separating the N & P semiconductor zones constituting a diode.

Le dispositif selon l'invention doit être apte à fonctionner avec des supports d'enregistrement munis des sécurités précitées et doit rendre inéfficace les manipulations frauduleuses au niveau de la mémoire du support d'enregistrement. L'effacement du support d'enregistrement par le dispositif de l'invention n'aura lieu que par l'action d'une personne habilitée pour introduire dans le dispositif d'effacement les informations nécessaires à sa mise en service. Ces informations sont comparées à l'intérieur du dispositif à des informations correspondantes mémorisées à l'intérieur de la mémoire du support d'enregistrement pour révéler au dispositif la véritable identité des supports d'enregistrement. L'identité dudit support sera constituée soit à l'aide d'un numéro de série qui lui sera attribué lors de sa fabrication, ou bien à l'aide d'une clé d'identification qu'il aura reçue lors de sa délivrance à son titulaire et par un caractère de validation qui permettra de reconnaître que toutes les données situées à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement sont crédibles ou encore par l'ensemble de ces deux possibilités.The device according to the invention must be able to operate with recording media provided with the aforementioned security devices and must make fraudulent manipulation ineffective in the memory of the recording medium. The erasure of the recording medium by the device of the invention will only take place by the action of a person authorized to introduce into the erasure device the information necessary for its commissioning. This information is compared inside the device to corresponding information stored inside the memory of the recording medium to reveal to the device the true identity of the recording media. The identity of said support will be established either using a serial number which will be assigned to it during its manufacture, or using an identification key which it will have received when it was delivered to its holder and by a validation character which will recognize that all the data located inside the recording medium is credible or by all of these two possibilities.

Pour atteindre ces objectifs, le dispositif pour l'effacement d'informations mémorisées à l'intérieur d'un support d'enregistrement contenant des données d'identification selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de lecture et d'interprétation des données d'identification pour autoriser l'effacement des informations mémorisées sur le support d'enregistrement et pour commander des moyens d'écriture d'un code de validation du support d'enregistrement afin de le rendre apte à d'autres services lorsque l'opération d'effacement a été autorisée pour les moyens d'interprétation des données d'identification.To achieve these objectives, the system for the erasure of information stored inside a recording medium containing identification data according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for reading and interpreting the identification data for authorize the erasure of the information stored on the recording medium and to command means for writing a validation code of the recording medium in order to make it suitable for other services when the erasing operation has has been authorized for the means of interpretation of identification data.

Une autre caractéristique de l'invention est qu'il est prévu un code particulier pour l'écriture des données d'identification du support d'enregistrement ou code N parmi M dans lequel N représente le nombre d'éléments binaires à l'état braire 1 ou le nombre d'éléments binaires à l'état 0 parmi les M éléments binaires utilisés de façon que le dispositif puisse détecter qu'une tentative d'effacement a eu lieu qui aura eu pour conséquence de modifier la configuration M parmi N adoptée par changement du nombre N de 1 ou de 0 composant le code des données d'identification. La conformité des données d'identification à cette règle sera vérifiée par les moyens d'interprétations. En cas de non conformité, un caractère d'invalidation sera écrit à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement comprenant N + q éléments binaires à 0 ou N + q éléments binaires à 1 parmi les M éléments binaires constituant ce caractère, de façon à interdire tout usage ultérieur du support d'enregistrement. Pour ce dernier caractère, n'importe quel code pourra être utilisé, y compris le code M parmi N en particulier ce code pourra être constitué d'une suite alternée de 0 ou de 1 dans le but d'obtenir une plus grande sécurité.Another characteristic of the invention is that a special code is provided for writing the identification data of the recording medium or code N among M in which N represents the number of binary elements in the bray state 1 or the number of binary elements in state 0 among the M binary elements used so that the device can detect that an erasure attempt has taken place which will have had the consequence of modifying the configuration M among N adopted by change of the number N from 1 or 0 composing the identification data code. The conformity of the identification data with this rule will be verified by means of interpretation. In the event of non-conformity, an invalidation character will be written inside the recording medium comprising N + q binary elements at 0 or N + q binary elements at 1 among the M binary elements constituting this character, so as to prohibit any further use of the recording medium. For this last character, any code can be used, including the code M among N, in particular this code can be made up of an alternating sequence of 0 or 1 in order to obtain greater security.

Dans un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, pour assurer l'inviolabilité des informations contenues dans la mémoire du support d'enregistrement, il est prévu d'incorporer dans ledit support les moyens de commande et d'adressage de la mémoire dudit support.In a particular embodiment of the invention, to ensure the inviolability of the information contained in the memory of the recording medium, provision is made to incorporate into said medium the means for controlling and addressing the memory of said medium .

Sans cette précaution, une personne peu scrupuleuse pourrait, par simple observation des signaux échangés entre la machine de recyclage et la mémoire du support d'enregistrement, connaître la nature des informations mémorisées, le scénario nécessaire pour réaliser l'effacement de ces informations et le code de validation du support pour un nouvel usage.Without this precaution, an unscrupulous person could, by simple observation of the signals exchanged between the recycling machine and the memory of the recording medium, know the nature of the information stored, the scenario necessary to erase this information and the support validation code for a new use.

L'incorporation des moyens de commande audit support constitue alors un obstacle physique infranchissable car dans ce cas, les opérations séquentielles de commande se déroulent entièrement à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement sans que le milieu extérieur puisse en avoir connaissance ou puisse en découvrir le secret. Dans ce cas, le test interne de la validité de la clé pour donner l'ordre d'effacement, entraînera s'il est négatif une altération par les moyens de commande précités de la zone du caractère d'invalidation qui ne pourra jamais revenir à son état d'origine et par conséquent interdira tout usage ultérieur du support d'enregistrement. Les moyens de commande incorporés au support d'enregistrement interdiront par contrôle de ce caractère tout usage du support d'enregistrement. Dans ce mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, les moyens entrant dans la composition du dispositif pour l'effacement d'informations mémorisées à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement se retrouvent incorporés audit support.

  • La figure 1 est une représentation simplifiée du dispositif de réutilisation ou de recyclage de support d'enregistrement selon l'invention.
  • La figure 2 montre un mode de réalisation de la machine de recyclage représentée à la figure 1 et de ses liaisons avec d'autres éléments nécessaires à son fonctionnement.
  • La figure 3 est une représentation d'un quadrillage de l'espace mémoire d'un support d'enregistrement.
  • La figure 4 est une représentation détaillée des moyens de commandes utilisés pour commander l'opération de recyclage et entrant dans la composition du dispositif de recyclage selon l'invention.
  • La figure 5 est un diagramme montrant les différentes opérations exécutées par la machine de recyclage et les moyens de commande pour effacer un support d'enregistrement et le rendre apte à un autre usage.
  • La figure 6 est une variante de réalisation de la machine de recyclage représentée à la figure 1 dans laquelle les éléments de commande de l'opération de recyclage et. entrant dans la composition du dispositif de recyclage se trouvent situés à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement.
The incorporation of the control means into said support then constitutes an insurmountable physical obstacle because in this case, the sequential control operations take place entirely inside the recording medium without the outside environment being able to know or to be able to discover it. the secret. In this case, the internal test of the validity of the key to give the erasure order, will cause if it is negative an alteration by the aforementioned control means of the zone of the invalidating character which can never return to its original condition and therefore will prohibit any further use of the recording medium. The control means incorporated in the recording medium will prohibit, by controlling this character, any use of the recording medium. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the means used in the composition of the device for erasing information stored inside the recording medium are incorporated into said medium.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of the device for reusing or recycling the recording medium according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the recycling machine shown in Figure 1 and its connections with other elements necessary for its operation.
  • FIG. 3 is a representation of a grid of the memory space of a recording medium.
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the control means used to control the recycling operation and forming part of the composition of the recycling device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the various operations performed by the recycling machine and the control means for erasing a recording medium and making it suitable for another use.
  • Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of the recycling machine shown in Figure 1 wherein the control elements of the recycling operation and. used in the composition of the recycling device are located inside the recording medium.

Le dispositif représenté à la figure 1 se compose d'une machine de recyclage coopérant d'une part avec le support d'enregistrement 2 à effacer et à valider pour d'autres usages et d'autre part avec un fichier 3 permettant de vérifier l'identité du support d'enregistrement à effacer et d'une carte d'habilitation 4 appartenant à l'opérateur accrédité pour effectuer l'opération de recyclage et dans laquelle se trouve enregistré un code d'identification.The device shown in Figure 1 consists of a recycling machine cooperating on the one hand with the recording medium 2 to erase and validate for other uses and on the other hand with a file 3 to check the identity of the recording medium to be deleted and of an authorization card 4 belonging to the operator accredited to carry out the recycling operation and in which an identification code is stored.

Dans le fichier 3 se trouvent consignés les numéros de série de tous les supports d'enregistrement qui ont été fabriqués par l'organisme émetteur desdits supports.In file 3 are recorded the serial numbers of all the recording media which have been manufactured by the organization issuing the said media.

A chaque numéro de série correspond un support d'enregistrement qui, lorsqu'il est remis à son détenteur par l'organisme accrédité reçoit un autre code d'identification ou clé. Ainsi, à chaque numéro de série correspond une clé. Une représentation de la correspondance clé numéro de série est consignée dans le fichier 3.Each serial number corresponds to a recording medium which, when given to its holder by the accredited body, receives another identification code or key. Thus, each serial number corresponds to a key. A representation of the key serial number correspondence is recorded in file 3.

Le fichier 3 pourra être conservé sur n'importe quel support d'enregistrement, bandes magnétiques ou disques magnétiques comme cela est représenté à la fi.gure 2. L'opération de recyclage pourra commencer lorsque le dispositif aura vérifié que l'opérateur est bien accrédité. Pour cela, l'opérateur devra introduire dans le dispositif une carte d'habilitation contenant le code d'identification de l'opérateur et simultanément frapper son code d'identification ou mot de passe sur un clavier.File 3 can be kept on any recording medium, magnetic tapes or magnetic disks as shown in Figure 2. The recycling operation can begin when the device has verified that the operator is properly accredited. For this, the operator must introduce into the device an authorization card containing the operator's identification code and simultaneously enter his identification code or password on a keyboard.

Si la relation entre le code d'identification de la carte et le mot de passe frappé sur le clavier est correcte, la carte d'habilitation communiquera à la machine où son utilisation est prévue les informations nécessaires au recyclage. Dans une version simplifiée la carte d'habilitation pourra être constituée d'une simple carte magnétique ou d'une mémoire à semi-conducteurs du type ROM ou PROM abréviations des termes anglo-saxons "Read Only Memory" ou "Programmable Read Only Memory". Dans une version plus complexe, on pourra adjoindre à la carte d'habilitation des moyens de commande programmés.If the relationship between the card identification code and the password typed on the keyboard is correct, the authorization card will communicate to the machine where its use is intended the information necessary for recycling. In a simplified version, the authorization card may consist of a simple magnetic card or a semiconductor memory of the ROM or PROM type, abbreviations of the English terms "Read Only Memory" or "Programmable Read Only Memory" . In a more complex version, we can add to the card enabling the programmed control means.

La vérification des identités à la fois de l'opérateur et du code du support d'enregistrement à effacer, de même que l'opération d'effacement proprement dite et de validation du support d'enregistrement pour de nouveaux usages nécessitent l'exécution d'une suite d'opérations entre la machine de recyclage et le support d'enregistrement. Cette suite d'opérations pourra être exécutée séquentiellement à l'aide de circuits logiques électroniques séquentiels ou à l'aide d'une structure banalisée comme l'est celle des microprocesseurs actuels auxquels sera adjoint un programme d'exploitation. Dans cette deuxième solution, il sera possible d'utiliser le microprocesseur 8080 commercialisé par la Société des Etats Unis d'amérique "INTEL". Un exemple de réalisation de la machine de recyclage à l'aide d'un microprocesseur est montré à la figure 2.The verification of the identities of both the operator and the code of the recording medium to be erased, as well as the actual erasing operation and validation of the recording medium for new uses require the execution of '' a series of operations between the recycling machine and the recording medium. This sequence of operations can be executed sequentially using sequential electronic logic circuits or using an unmarked structure like that of current microprocessors to which an operating program will be added. In this second solution, it will be possible to use the 8080 microprocessor marketed by the Company of the United States of America "INTEL". An exemplary embodiment of the recycling machine using a microprocessor is shown in Figure 2.

Un mode particulier de réalisation de la machine de recyclage est montré en 1 sur là figure 2. Elle comprend un microprocesseur 7 auquel est adjoint deux mémoires, une mémoire morte PROM 8 et une mémoire vive RAM 9. On sait qu'une mémoire vive a la propriété d'être effaçable et qu'il est possible de lire et de récrire tout ou partie des informations qui y sont contenues. Par contre, une mémoire morte n'est pas effaçable et seule la lecture des informations qui y sont mémorisées est possible. Le BUSD ou encore la ligne de donnée D véhicule les données ou informations transmises entre le microprocesseur 7, la mémoire PROM 8, la mémoire RAM 9 et les organes externes reliés à la machine de recyclage. Les organes externes sont le support d'enregistrement à recycler 2, l'unité de disque magnétique 3, le clavier d'introduction du mot de passe 5, le lecteur de carte 6 dans lequel est introduit la carte d'habilitation de l'opérateur 4.A particular embodiment of the recycling machine is shown at 1 in FIG. 2. It comprises a microprocessor 7 to which is added two memories, a PROM read-only memory 8 and a RAM RAM 9. It is known that a RAM has the property of being erasable and that it is possible to read and rewrite all or part of the information contained therein. On the other hand, a read only memory cannot be erased and only the information stored therein can be read. The BUSD or the data line D conveys the data or information transmitted between the microprocessor 7, the PROM memory 8, the RAM memory 9 and the external members connected to the recycling machine. The external organs are the recording medium to be recycled 2, the magnetic disk unit 3, the keyboard for entering the password 5, the card reader 6 into which the card is inserted. operator authorization 4.

Les mémoires PROM, RAM 9 ainsi que la mémoire M du support d'enregistrement à recycler sont adressées à partir du microprocesseur 7 par le BUS A ou ligne d'adresse A. Le microprocesseur 7 envoie les diverses commandes des organes externes pour la liaison C0, décomposée elle-même en Cl, C2, C3 et C4 sur la figure 2.The PROM memories, RAM 9 as well as the memory M of the recording medium to be recycled are addressed from the microprocessor 7 by the BUS A or address line A. The microprocessor 7 sends the various commands from the external organs for the connection C 0 , itself decomposed into C l , C 2 , C 3 and C 4 in Figure 2.

La figure 3 représente l'organisation des zones de la mémoire M 10 du support d'enregistrement à recycler 2. Cette mémoire est une mémoire non volatile effaçable qui sera réalisée de préférence en technologie MOS (Metal Oxyde Semi Conducteur) afin que les informations mémorisées puissent être conservées très longtemps (des années) sans être altérées tout en pouvant être effacées en tout ou partie à n'importe quel instant. La mémoire représentée contient 300 mots de 4 bits chacun. On rappelle ici que le mot bit sert à désigner la plus petite quantité d'informations qui, exprimée dans un langage binaire, ne peut prendre que deux états 0 ou 1. L'adressage de cette mémoire se fait par mots et dans l'exemple représenté, la mémoire a une organisation matricielle de 76 lignes et 4 colonnes. Un mot se trouve à l'intersection d'une ligne et d'une colonne. Les emplacements des mots de la mémoire sont repérés par un numéro de 0 à 299. A la ligne 0 correspond les mots 0 à 3 à la ligne 1 les mots 4 à 7, etc... à la ligne 75 les mots 296 à 299. L'adressage d'un mot mémoire est effectué en déposant un mot d'adresse à 9 bits sur le BUS A représentant 512 adresses possibles bien que 300 ici soient utiles.FIG. 3 represents the organization of the areas of the memory M 10 of the recording medium to be recycled 2. This memory is an erasable non-volatile memory which will preferably be produced in MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technology so that the information stored can be kept for a very long time (years) without being altered while being able to be erased in whole or in part at any time. The memory shown contains 300 words of 4 bits each. It is recalled here that the word bit is used to designate the smallest amount of information which, expressed in a binary language, can only take two states 0 or 1. The addressing of this memory is done by words and in the example represented, the memory has a matrix organization of 76 lines and 4 columns. A word is found at the intersection of a row and a column. The locations of the words in the memory are identified by a number from 0 to 299. On line 0 corresponds the words 0 to 3 to line 1 the words 4 to 7, etc ... to line 75 the words 296 to 299 The addressing of a memory word is carried out by depositing a 9-bit address word on the BUS A representing 512 possible addresses although 300 here are useful.

Les 2 bits de poids les plus faibles sont utilisés pour l'adressage des colonnes 0 à 3 de la mémoire alors que les 7 autres bits sont utilisés à l'adressage des liqnes. Les 2 bits d'adressage des colonnes sont décodes par le décodeur de position D POS 12, les 7 bits d'adressage des lignes sont décodés par le décodeur d'adresse D ADM 11. Le code d'adressage utilisé est le code binaire naturel. Un emplacement mémoire ainsi adressé peut être lu ou écrit. Lorsqu'il est lu, une commande de lecture 2 positionne les circuits de lecture de la mémoire et le contenu de l'emplacement adressé de la mémoire est placé dans le registre de données RD. Lorsqu'il est écrit, une commande d'écriture E positionne les circuits d'écriture de la mémoire et les données à écrire sont dans un premier temps placées sur le BUS D pour être transférées dans le registre RD 13 puis dans un deuxième temps transférées à l'emplacement adressé de la mémoire. Le registre RD a une longueur de 16 bits, il peut donc contenir 4 mots. Les emplacements RD (0 à 3) du registre RD sont destinés à recevoir les mots de la colonne 0 de la mémoire, de même les emplacements RD (4, 7) reçoivent les mots de la colonne 1, RD (8 à 11) reçoivent les mots de la colonne 3 et RD (12 à 15) reçoivent les mots de la colonne 3. Il est rappelé ici que les BUSA et D sont reliés au microprocesseur 7 de la figure 2.The 2 least significant bits are used for addressing columns 0 to 3 of the memory while the 7 other bits are used for addressing the lines. The 2 column addressing bits are decoded by the D POS 12 position decoder, the 7 row addressing bits are decoded by the D ADM 11 address decoder. The addressing code used is the natural binary code . A memory location thus addressed can be read or written. When read, a read command 2 positions the memory read circuits and the content of the addressed memory location is placed in the data register RD. When it is written, a write command E positions the memory write circuits and the data to be written are first placed on the BUS D to be transferred to the register RD 13 and then secondly transferred to the addressed memory location. The RD register is 16 bits long, so it can contain 4 words. The RD locations (0 to 3) of the RD register are intended to receive the words of column 0 of the memory, in the same way the RD locations (4, 7) receive the words of column 1, R D (8 to 11) receive the words of column 3 and RD (12 to 15) receive the words of column 3. It is recalled here that the BUSA and D are connected to the microprocessor 7 of FIG. 2.

La mémoire est organisée en deux zones. La zone 1 contient tous les attributs du support d'enregistrement nécessaires à son identification que ce soit pendant son utilisation pour le service auquel le support est normalement destiné ou pendant l'opération de recyclage. La zone 2 est une zone de travail réservée au stockage des informations recueillies pendant l'usage normal de support d'enregistrement. Durant l'opération de recyclage toutes les informations présentes dans la zone 2 devront être effacées. La- zone 1 est partagée en quatre espaces. Le premier espace adressé par ADMO, POS = 0 et POS = 1 est réservé à la mémorisation d'un caractère témoin, le contenu de cet espace sera contrôlé pendant les usages multiples du support d'enregistrement pour vérifier que la mémoire n'a pas été perturbée par des phénomènes physiques externes comme cela est expliqué dans les demandes de brevet précédemment citées. Le deuxième espace adressé par ADM = 0, POS = 2 et 3 est réservé à la mémorisation d'un numéro de série que le support d'enregistrement reçoit au cours de sa fabrication. Le troisième espace adressé par ADM = 1 POS = 0 et 1 est réservé au caractère de validation du support d'enregistrement. Ce caractère est inscrit lorsque tous les attributs du support permettant son identification sont corrects, son inscription a lieu avant la délivrance du support d'enregistrement à son titulaire. Le quatrième espace est réservé à la mémorisation du caractère clé du support d'enregistrement, il est adressé pour ADM = 1 POS = 2 et 3. Si au cours de l'utilisation d'un support d'enregistrement le caractère clé se trouve modifié et ne correspond plus au caractère clé mis en circulation par l'organisme émetteur du support d'enregistrement, le caractère d'invalidation sera inscrit dans une autre zone de la mémoire ou à la place du caractère clé comme cela est représenté sur la figure 3.The memory is organized into two areas. Zone 1 contains all the attributes of the recording medium necessary for its identification, whether during its use for the service for which the medium is normally intended or during the recycling operation. Zone 2 is a work area reserved for the storage of information collected during normal use of the recording medium. During the recycling operation, all the information present in zone 2 must be deleted. Zone 1 is divided into four spaces. The first space sent by ADMO, POS = 0 and POS = 1 is reserved for the storage of a witness character, the content of this space will be checked during multiple uses of the recording medium to verify that the memory has not been disturbed by external physical phenomena as explained in the previously cited patent applications. The second space addressed by ADM = 0, POS = 2 and 3 is reserved for memorizing a serial number that the recording medium receives during its manufacture. The third space sent by ADM = 1 POS = 0 and 1 is reserved for the validation character of the recording medium. This character is registered when all the attributes of the medium allowing its identification are correct, its registration takes place before the delivery of the recording medium to its holder. The fourth space is reserved for storing the key character of the recording medium, it is addressed for ADM = 1 POS = 2 and 3. If during the use of a recording medium the key character is changed and no longer corresponds to the key character put into circulation by the organization issuing the recording medium, the invalidation character will be written in another zone of the memory or in place of the key character as shown in FIG. 3 .

Le caractère clé sera représenté de préférence avec un code composé de M bits comprenant un nombre N prédéterminé de bits à 1 ou à 0 (code M par N). Avec cette précaution supplémentaire, il sera possible au dispositif de détecter qu'une tentative d'effacement a eu lieu, puisque dans ce cas une nouvelle configuration binaire inscrite dans cet emplacement ne vérifiera plus la règle "M parmi N" +.The key character will preferably be represented with a code composed of M bits comprising a predetermined number N of bits at 1 or at 0 (code M by N). With this additional precaution, it will be possible for the device to detect that an erasure attempt has taken place, since in this case a new binary configuration registered in this location will no longer verify the "M among N" + rule.

La même règle pourra être adoptée pour le caractère de validation, si le caractère de validation a été écrit dans un code M parmi N et si M représente le nombre de bits il suffira d'ajouter un bit 1 supplémentaire au caractère de validation pour le rendre invalide. Il pourra lors de l'opération de recyclage revenir à sa forme originelle.The same rule could be adopted for the validation character, if the validation character was written in an M code among N and if M represents the number of bits it will suffice to add an additional bit 1 to the validation character to make it invalid. It can during the recycling operation return to its original form.

La figure 4 est une représentation détaillée des moyens de commande utilisés pour commander l'opération de recyclage. Ces moyens de commande étant constitués par le microprocesseur.FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the control means used to control the recycling operation. These control means being constituted by the microprocessor.

Ce microprocesseur comprend un bus de données, un bus d'adresses et un bus de commandes, une unité arithmétique logique 14, un registre accumulateur 15, un registre de mémorisation de résultats d'opération SR 14, un registre d'adresse RA 17, un registre d'instructions RI18, un décodeur d'instruction 19, un compteur ordinal (program compteur) 20, un registre de sauvegarde SP21, des registres d'entrée/sortie de données 1023 et IB 24. Un opérande placé sur le bus D est transmis a l'entrée 1 de l'unité arithmétique logique ALU14 par la liaison d4, le deuxième opérande est pris dans le registre accumulateur ACCU15 et est transmis sur l'entrée 2 de l'unité 2 de l'unité arithmétique logique ALU15, le résultat du calcul effectué entre ces deux opérandes peut être transmis dans le registre SR 16 ou dans le registre accumulateur 15 par les liaison d7, d9, BUS D et d5. Le registre SR 16 mémorise les bits d'état C, S, F qui sont des résultats de calcul et qui permettent des opérations de branchement vers d'autres sous programmes.This microprocessor comprises a data bus, an address bus and a command bus, a logic arithmetic unit 14, an accumulator register 15, an operation results storage register SR 14, an address register RA 17, an instruction register RI18, an instruction decoder 19, an ordinal counter (program counter) 20, a backup register SP21, data input / output registers 1023 and IB 24. An operand placed on the bus D is transmitted to input 1 of the logical arithmetic unit ALU14 by the link d4, the second operand is taken from the accumulator register ACCU15 and is transmitted to input 2 of unit 2 of the logical arithmetic unit ALU15, the result of the calculation carried out between these two operands can be transmitted in the register SR 16 or in the accumulator register 15 by the connections d7, d9, BUS D and d5. The register SR 16 stores the status bits C, S, F which are calculation results and which allow branching operations towards other subroutines.

Une instruction placée sur le bus D est transmise dans le registre RI 18 par la liaison Dl.An instruction placed on the bus D is transmitted in the register RI 18 by the link Dl.

Le registre RI contient essentiellement deux emplacements, un réservé à la mémorisation du code opération de l'instruction (COP), l'autre à son adresse. Le code opération est transmis au décodeur d'instruction 19 pour la ligne d3, qui transmet sur la ligne C4 puis sur le bus C les commandes nécessaires à l'exécution de l'instruction. La partie adresse de l'instruction est transmise pour la ligne d2 sur le BUS D. Le registre RA contient l'adresse de la donnée ou de l'information recherchée dans le dispositif de recyclage, cette adresse peut être dans l'une des deux mémoires PROM 8 ou RAM 9 ou dans le support d'enregistrement 2, elle est transmise sur le BUS A par la liaison al. Le compteur ordinal PC 20 est chargé à partir du BUS D par l'intermédiaire de la ligne d10, la sortie 2 est reliée à l'entrée du registre SP21 dont la sortie 2 est reliée par la ligne dl2 au bus de données BUS D. La sortie 2 du compteur 20 est aussi reliée par la ligne a2 au bus d'adresse BUS A. Le contenu du compteur ordinal 20 peut être incrémenté d'une unité à partir d'une horloge non représentée. Les registres IO 22 et IB 23 ont leurs entrées/sorties toutes deux reliées au BUS D et servent de registre tampon. Les programmes et microprogrammes contenus dans les mémoires 8, 9 ou 10 pourraient donc être adressés indifféremment par le compteur ordinal PC 20 ou par le registre RA 17.The register RI essentially contains two locations, one reserved for storing the instruction operation code (COP), the other at its address. The operation code is transmitted to the instruction decoder 19 for the line d3, which transmits on the line C4 then on the bus C the commands necessary for the execution of the instruction. The address part of the instruction is transmitted for line d2 on BUS D. The register RA contains the address of the data or information sought in the recycling device, this address can be in one of the two PROMs RAM 8 or 9 or in the recording medium 2, it is transmitted to the bus a by the binding. The PC computer 20 is loaded from BUS D via line d10, output 2 is connected to the input of register SP21, output 2 of which is connected by line dl2 to the data bus BUS D. The output 2 of the counter 20 is also connected by line a 2 to the address bus BUS A. The content of the ordinal counter 20 can be increased by one unit from a clock not shown. The registers IO 22 and IB 23 have their inputs / outputs both connected to BUS D and serve as a buffer register. The programs and microprograms contained in the memories 8, 9 or 10 could therefore be addressed indifferently by the ordinal counter PC 20 or by the register RA 17.

Les informations lues aux emplacements adessés de ces mémoires seront transférées sur le BUS D dans le registre d'instruction RI 18, s'il s'agit d'instruction, ou transférées à l'entrée 1 de l'unité arithmétique logique ou dans le registre accumulateur 15 ou dans le registre IO 22 s'il s'agit de données. Ces transferts auront lieu en fonction du type d'instruction utilisé. Les informations à écrire dans les emplacements des mémoires adressées par l'information d'adresse présentée sur le BUS A seront transférées sur le BUS D par l'intermédiaire du registre tampon IB 23. Le BUS D sera aussi utilisé pour transférer des données ou des informations entre registres,. La partie adresse de l'instruction contenue dans le registre RI pourra être transférée d'un sous programme ou microprogramme dont le déroulement est nécessaire pour exécuter l'instruction.The information read at the addressed locations of these memories will be transferred to BUS D in the instruction register RI 18, if it is an instruction, or transferred to input 1 of the logical arithmetic unit or in the accumulator register 15 or in the IO register 22 if it is data. These transfers will take place according to the type of instruction used. Information to writing to the locations of the memories addressed by the address information presented on the BUS A will be transferred to the BUS D via the buffer register IB 23. The BUS D will also be used to transfer data or information between registers ,. The address part of the instruction contained in the RI register may be transferred from a subroutine or microprogram whose progress is necessary to execute the instruction.

Le résultat d'une opération obtenu sur deux opérandes pourra être rangé dans le registre accumulateur 15; dans la mémoire vive RAM 9 dans le registre RD du support d'enregistrement 2 ou dans le registre IB en vue de son transfert par exemple vers l'unité de disque 3.The result of an operation obtained on two operands can be stored in the accumulator register 15 ; in the RAM 9 in the register RD of the recording medium 2 or in the register IB with a view to its transfer for example to the disk drive 3.

Le dispositif qui vient d'être décrit permet donc d'exécuter séquentiellement les opérations nécessaires au recyclage des supports d'enregistrement. Ces opérations nécessitent l'exécution par les moyens de commande d'un programme d'entrée/sortie pour exécuter le transfert des informations de la mémoire à disque 3 dans la mémoire RAM 9 de la figure 2. Le disque 3 contient comme il a été dit précédemment le fichier de correspondance des clés et numéro de série des supports d'enregistrement en circulation. Au moment de l'initialisation du dispositif, les informations mémorisées sur le disque (instruction et fichier sont transférées dans la mémoire vive RAM 9). Cette opération d'entrée/sortie de transfert de données d'un disque dans la mémoire vive RAM 9 est une opération très classique qui est similaire à celle rencontrée dans tous les systèmes de traitement de données. L'homme de l'art pourra se reporter utilisement au livre de RODNAY ZAKS et PIERRE LE BEUX, intitué "les microprocesseurs" édité par SYBEX - 313, rue Lecourbe - 75015 PARIS, dans lequel ces types de transferts sont décrits.The device which has just been described therefore makes it possible to execute sequentially the operations necessary for recycling the recording media. These operations require the execution by the control means of an input / output program to execute the transfer of the information from the memory to disk 3 in the memory RAM 9 of FIG. 2. The disk 3 contains as it was said previously the key correspondence file and serial number of the recording media in circulation. When the device is initialized, the information stored on the disk (instruction and file are transferred to the RAM 9). This input / output operation for transferring data from a disk into the RAM 9 is a very conventional operation which is similar to that encountered in all data processing systems. Those skilled in the art can usefully refer to the book by RODNAY ZAKS and PIERRE LE BEUX, entitled "les microprocesseurs" published by SYBEX - 313, rue Lecourbe - 75015 PARIS, in which these types of transfers are described.

Ces opérations de transfert étant terminés, l'opération de recyclage proprement dite est engagée conformément à l'organigramme représenté à la figure 5.These transfer operations having been completed, the recycling operation proper is initiated in accordance with the flow chart represented in FIG. 5.

A l'étape 51, le caractère d'invalidation mémorisé sur le support d'enregistrement est testé ; si ce test est positif, le support d'enregistrement est rendu inutilisable. Si le test est négatif, le caractère de validation du support d'enregistrement est effacé (étape 53). Le caractère d'invalidation du support d'enregistrement ayant été testé à l'étape 51, l'étape 54 consiste à lire le numéro de série du support d'enregistrement afin d'obtenir la clé associée par l'intermédiaire du fichier de la machine de recyclage. Pa": les moyens de commande une comparaison est faite entre la clé ainsi recherchée et la clé contenue dans le support d'enregistrement (étape 54 et 55). Si le test est correct un caractère de validation est écrit dans le support d'enregistrement (étape 56). Le dispositif vérifie à l'étape 57 que ce caractère a été correctement écrit, si tel est le cas, l'opération d'effacement des autres zones de la mémoire du support d'enregistrement est effectuée (étape 58). Si les tests effectués aux étapes 51 et 55 s'avèrent incorrects, le support d'information est définitivement mis hors d'usage par écriture d'un caractère d'invalidation (étape 59). Toutes autres tentatives de recyclage seront par la suite infructueuses car les moyens de commande en lisant la clé du support d'enregistrement à l'étape 51 détecteront une clé fausse qui empêchera la poursuite des opérations 52 à 58. Si le test du caractère de validation de l'étape 57 s'avère incorrect, le dispositif n'entamera pas l'effacement des autres zones de la mémoire et reprendra les étapes 51 à 57 jusqu'à ce que l'écriture du caractère de validation s'avère fructueuse. Pour éviter un nombre répété d'écritures infructueuses du caractère de validation on pourra limiter le nombre des essais infructueux par exemple à 10. On observera la symétrie des opérations associées au déroulement normal (étape 56 à 57) avec le déroulement des opérations associées à une erreur (étape 59 à 60) où l'étape 60 consiste à tester le caractère d'invalidation de façon à réaliser une symétrie de fonctionnement du microprocesseur et à tester que le caractère a bien été écrit. Cette symétrie rend inefficace tous essais d'observation des signaux sur les lignes de transmission ou d'alimentation en vue d'empêcher le positionnement du caractère d'invalidation. La suite des opérations qui vient d'être indiquée pourri être exécutée à l'aide d'un microprogramme inscrit dans la mémoire PROM 8.In step 51, the invalidation character stored on the recording medium is tested; if this test is positive, the recording medium is rendered unusable. If the test is negative, the validation character of the recording medium is deleted (step 53). The character of invalidation of the recording medium having been tested in step 51, step 54 consists in reading the serial number of the recording medium in order to obtain the associated key via the file of the recycling machine. Pa " : the control means a comparison is made between the key thus sought and the key contained in the recording medium (step 54 and 55). If the test is correct, a validation character is written in the recording medium (step 56). The device checks in step 57 that this character has been correctly written, if this is the case, the operation of erasing the other areas of the memory of the recording medium is carried out (step 58). If the tests carried out in steps 51 and 55 prove to be incorrect, the information medium is definitively put out of use by writing an invalidation character (step 59). All other retraining attempts will be thereafter unsuccessful because the control means by reading the key from the recording medium in step 51 will detect a false key which will prevent operations 52 to 58 from continuing. If the validation character test in step 57 proves to be incorrect , the device will not start erasing the other areas of the memory and will repeat steps 51 to 57 until the writing of the validation character proves successful. To avoid a repeated number of unsuccessful writes of the validation character, we can limit the number of unsuccessful attempts, for example to 10. We will observe the symmetry of the operations associated with the normal process (step 56 to 57) with the process of operations associated with a error (step 59 to 60) where step 60 consists in testing the invalidation character so as to achieve operating symmetry of the microprocessor and in testing that the character has indeed been written. This symmetry makes ineffective any attempts to observe the signals on the transmission or supply lines in order to prevent the positioning of the invalidation character. The sequence of operations which has just been indicated may be carried out using a firmware written in the PROM memory 8.

Au début de l'opération du recyclage, le registre d'instruction RI 18 contient l'adresse de début du microprogramme dans la mémoire PROM 8. Cette adresse est transférée dans le compteur ordinal PC 20. La progression du compteur ordinal PC 20 d'une unité à partir de l'adresse de début du microprogramme permettra l'exécution nécessaire des microinstructions correspondant à ce microprogramme. Les micro instructions seront successivement chargées dans le registre d'instructions RI 18. Elles contiennent un code opération spécifiant le type d'opération à effectuer et une partie adresse spécifiant l'emplacement dans le dispositif ou se trouve la donnée ou l'opérande sur lequel une opération spécifiée par le code opération doit s'effectuer. On suppose que l'adresse début du microprogramme de recyclage est située à l'adresse PROM = 0000. La liste des microinstructions repérée par l'état du compteur ordinal PC 20 est la suivante :

Figure imgb0001
Figure imgb0002
Figure imgb0003
Figure imgb0004
 At the start of the recycling operation, the instruction register RI 18 contains the start address of the firmware in the PROM memory 8. This address is transferred to the computer PC 20. The progress of computer PC 20 from a unit from the start address of the firmware will allow the necessary execution of the microinstructions corresponding to this firmware. The micro instructions will be successively loaded into the RI 18 instruction register. They contain an operation code specifying the type of operation to be performed and an address part specifying the location in the device where the data or operand is located. an operation specified by the operation code must be performed. It is assumed that the start address of the recycling firmware is located at PROM = 0000. The list of microinstructions identified by the state of the PC 20 computer counter is as follows:
Figure imgb0001
Figure imgb0002
Figure imgb0003
Figure imgb0004

La figure 6 est une variante de réalisation de la machine de recyclage représentée à la figure 1 dans laquelle les éléments de commande de l'opération de recyclage se retrouvent situés à l'intérieur du support d'enregistrement. Dans ce mode de réalisation, le microprocesseur 7, la mémoire PROM 8 et la mémoire de données M 10 se retrouvent incorporés sur le même support. De cette façon, les moyens de commande de la mémoire M se trouvent intégrés au support d'informations. De préférence, il sera donné une structure monolithique à l'ensemble des éléments électroniques incorporés au dit support afin de rendre impossible des tests sur les signaux transitant entre la mémoire 10, le microprocesseur 7 et la mémoire PROM 8.Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of the recycling machine shown in Figure 1 wherein the control elements of the recycling operation are located inside the recording medium. In this embodiment, the microprocessor 7, the PROM memory 8 and the data memory M 10 are found incorporated on the same support. In this way, the memory control means M are integrated into the information medium. Preferably, a monolithic structure will be given to all of the electronic elements incorporated in said support in order to make it impossible to test the signals passing between the memory 10, the microprocessor 7 and the PROM memory 8.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, la machine de recyclage 1 est constitué principalement de la mémoire RAM 9 et des éléments nécessaires (non représentés) pour établir les liaisons entre le support d'enregistrement 2, le clavier 5, le disque 3 et le lecteur de la carte d'habilitation 4.In this embodiment, the recycling machine 1 mainly consists of the RAM memory 9 and of the elements necessary (not shown) for establishing the connections between the recording medium 2, the keyboard 5, the disc 3 and the reader. the authorization card 4.

L'exemple qui vient d'être donné d'une réalisation préférée de l'invention n'est nullement limitatif, il va de soi que tout homme de l'art bien au fait des techniques des systèmes de traitement de données pourra trouver d'autres modes de réalisation sans pour autant sortir du cadre même de l'invention.The example which has just been given of a preferred embodiment of the invention is in no way limiting, it goes without saying that any person skilled in the art well versed in the techniques of data processing systems will be able to find other embodiments without departing from the very scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

1.1.
EP80400547A 1979-04-25 1980-04-22 Process for prolonging the validity of the memory working zone of a data carrier Expired EP0018889B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7910561 1979-04-25
FR7910561A FR2455320B1 (en) 1979-04-25 1979-04-25 DEVICE FOR RECYCLING IDENTIFIABLE RECORDING MEDIA USING IDENTIFICATION DATA AND NON-VOLATILE DELETE MONOLITHIC MEMORY COMPOUNDS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0018889A1 true EP0018889A1 (en) 1980-11-12
EP0018889B1 EP0018889B1 (en) 1985-09-04

Family

ID=9224748

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80400547A Expired EP0018889B1 (en) 1979-04-25 1980-04-22 Process for prolonging the validity of the memory working zone of a data carrier

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4442345A (en)
EP (1) EP0018889B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5638650A (en)
BR (1) BR8002518A (en)
CA (1) CA1151298A (en)
DE (1) DE3071055D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2455320B1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2503423A1 (en) * 1981-03-31 1982-10-08 Flonic Sa Electronic memory for telephone prepaid transaction card - uses encoded memory to validate alteration of credit balance in on-card non-volatile memory
FR2575566A1 (en) * 1984-12-28 1986-07-04 Bull Sa METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING PORTABLE MEDIA SUCH AS CARDS
WO1986005613A1 (en) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-25 Toppan Moore Company, Ltd. Ic card
FR2612668A1 (en) * 1987-03-20 1988-09-23 Toshiba Kk Portable electronic device
EP0402759A3 (en) * 1989-06-12 1991-07-31 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Portable electronic device having versatile program storage
FR2665279A1 (en) * 1990-07-24 1992-01-31 Aschenbroich Yves Process for protecting portable cards containing information in memory and device for its implementation
FR2674647A1 (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-10-02 Widmer Michel Apparatus forming an electronic cheque-book for financial transactions and process for using such an apparatus

Families Citing this family (68)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4568936A (en) * 1980-06-23 1986-02-04 Light Signatures, Inc. Verification system for document substance and content
JPS58209000A (en) * 1982-05-28 1983-12-05 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd IC card
JPS58183568U (en) * 1982-05-28 1983-12-07 大日本印刷株式会社 recoding media
US4555591A (en) * 1982-09-07 1985-11-26 At&T Bell Laboratories Integrated circuit devices for secure data encryption
JPS5971180A (en) * 1982-10-16 1984-04-21 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Information processing method in ic card
JPS5971195A (en) * 1982-10-17 1984-04-21 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Information processing method in IC card
JPS5977699A (en) * 1982-10-25 1984-05-04 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd IC card
JPS5998395A (en) * 1982-11-29 1984-06-06 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Ic card
US4525805A (en) * 1982-12-20 1985-06-25 Richard Prosan Secure locking system employing radiant energy and electrical data transmission
DE3315047A1 (en) * 1983-04-26 1984-10-31 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH AN APPLICATION MEMORY DESIGNED AS A NON-VOLATILE WRITE-READ MEMORY
DE3318083A1 (en) * 1983-05-18 1984-11-22 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT WITH A STORAGE AND ACCESS CONTROL UNIT
DE3318624A1 (en) * 1983-05-21 1984-11-22 Sachs Systemtechnik Gmbh, 8720 Schweinfurt MAGNETICALLY CODED WARNING OR LOCKING SYSTEM WITH SERIAL CODE TRANSFER
JPS603081A (en) * 1983-06-18 1985-01-09 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd IC card
JPS603082A (en) * 1983-06-18 1985-01-09 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Ic card
JPS6084686A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-05-14 Toshiba Corp Recording system of information recording medium
JPS60140597A (en) * 1983-12-28 1985-07-25 Giichi Kuze Eprom programmer
JPS60207964A (en) * 1984-03-31 1985-10-19 Toshiba Corp Transaction system using portable medium
EP0167044B1 (en) * 1984-06-19 1992-03-04 Casio Computer Company Limited Intelligent card
JPS6152775A (en) * 1984-08-22 1986-03-15 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Illegal access preventing system of card
US4918631A (en) * 1984-09-07 1990-04-17 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Compact type electronic information card
JPH0682427B2 (en) * 1985-03-22 1994-10-19 サンデン株式会社 vending machine
JPS61275948A (en) * 1985-05-31 1986-12-06 Casio Comput Co Ltd Data storage device
FR2590051B1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1991-05-17 Eurotechnique Sa CARD COMPRISING A COMPONENT AND MICROMODULE WITH SIDING CONTACTS
FR2590052B1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1991-03-01 Eurotechnique Sa METHOD FOR RECYCLING A CARD COMPRISING A COMPONENT, CARD PROVIDED FOR RECYCLE
JPS62121979A (en) * 1985-11-22 1987-06-03 Mitsubishi Electric Corp integrated circuit memory
EP0250557A4 (en) * 1985-12-12 1990-01-11 Dennison Mfg Co Determination of test substances.
JPS62147586A (en) * 1985-12-23 1987-07-01 Hitachi Ltd Fraud prevention method
US4962459A (en) * 1985-12-26 1990-10-09 Mallozzi Joseph D System for accounting for postage expended by a postage meter having data security during printing
JPS62146275U (en) * 1986-03-04 1987-09-16
US4874935A (en) * 1986-03-10 1989-10-17 Data Card Coprporation Smart card apparatus and method of programming same
JPS62211756A (en) * 1986-03-12 1987-09-17 Casio Comput Co Ltd IC card test method
JPS62231395A (en) * 1986-03-31 1987-10-09 松下冷機株式会社 Sales memory for vending machine
US4742215A (en) * 1986-05-07 1988-05-03 Personal Computer Card Corporation IC card system
JPH0758500B2 (en) * 1987-02-20 1995-06-21 株式会社東芝 Portable electronic device
JP2776929B2 (en) * 1989-03-29 1998-07-16 株式会社日立製作所 Card data processing system and card data processing method
US4983820A (en) * 1989-05-15 1991-01-08 Dallas Semiconductor Corporation Interface for receiving electronic tokens
JPH0426923Y2 (en) * 1989-05-17 1992-06-29
JPH03208192A (en) * 1990-01-09 1991-09-11 Hitachi Maxell Ltd Collected ic card using system
US5623547A (en) * 1990-04-12 1997-04-22 Jonhig Limited Value transfer system
FR2666425A1 (en) * 1990-08-31 1992-03-06 Gemplus Card Int METHOD AND DEVICE FOR UPDATING INFORMATION IN A MEMORY AND THEIR USE IN MEMORY CARDS.
JPH052536A (en) * 1991-07-25 1993-01-08 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd IC card
US5453601A (en) * 1991-11-15 1995-09-26 Citibank, N.A. Electronic-monetary system
US5317636A (en) * 1992-12-09 1994-05-31 Arris, Inc. Method and apparatus for securing credit card transactions
CH685891A5 (en) * 1993-01-18 1995-10-31 Ascom Autelca Ag A method as security concept to prevent unauthorized use of a payment instrument for cashless settling on imprest
US5799087A (en) * 1994-04-28 1998-08-25 Citibank, N.A. Electronic-monetary system
US6868408B1 (en) 1994-04-28 2005-03-15 Citibank, N.A. Security systems and methods applicable to an electronic monetary system
US5831827A (en) * 1994-04-28 1998-11-03 Dallas Semiconductor Corporation Token shaped module for housing an electronic circuit
US5604343A (en) * 1994-05-24 1997-02-18 Dallas Semiconductor Corporation Secure storage of monetary equivalent data systems and processes
JPH10214232A (en) * 1997-01-30 1998-08-11 Rohm Co Ltd Ic card, and ic card operating method
US6575372B1 (en) 1997-02-21 2003-06-10 Mondex International Limited Secure multi-application IC card system having selective loading and deleting capability
US6317832B1 (en) * 1997-02-21 2001-11-13 Mondex International Limited Secure multiple application card system and process
US6385723B1 (en) 1997-05-15 2002-05-07 Mondex International Limited Key transformation unit for an IC card
US6328217B1 (en) 1997-05-15 2001-12-11 Mondex International Limited Integrated circuit card with application history list
US6220510B1 (en) 1997-05-15 2001-04-24 Mondex International Limited Multi-application IC card with delegation feature
US6488211B1 (en) 1997-05-15 2002-12-03 Mondex International Limited System and method for flexibly loading in IC card
US6164549A (en) * 1997-05-15 2000-12-26 Mondex International Limited IC card with shell feature
US6736325B1 (en) 1998-01-22 2004-05-18 Mondex International Limited Codelets
US6357665B1 (en) 1998-01-22 2002-03-19 Mondex International Limited Configuration of IC card
US6742120B1 (en) 1998-02-03 2004-05-25 Mondex International Limited System and method for controlling access to computer code in an IC card
GB2354202B (en) * 2000-08-07 2002-09-18 Dynamic Cassette Int A printer cartridge kit and method
US7487538B2 (en) * 2001-11-19 2009-02-03 Steven Siong Cheak Mok Security system
US6934664B1 (en) 2002-05-20 2005-08-23 Palm, Inc. System and method for monitoring a security state of an electronic device
US20070244709A1 (en) * 2006-04-17 2007-10-18 Earthworks Systems, Llc Methods of producing and recycling plastic cards
US20070243362A1 (en) * 2006-04-17 2007-10-18 Earthworks Systems, Llc Sheet stock and cards made from recycled plastic scrap material and methods
WO2008054512A2 (en) * 2006-04-19 2008-05-08 Stepnexus Holdings Methods and systems for ic card application loading
US20080270037A1 (en) * 2007-04-30 2008-10-30 Masato Nakada System and method for measuring and displaying health information
US20110111189A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2011-05-12 Gilbert Rodd S Polymeric sheet material and method of manufacturing same
US11423364B2 (en) 2018-11-29 2022-08-23 Capital One Services, Llc Device and method for facilitating recycling

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3806874A (en) * 1972-04-11 1974-04-23 Gretag Ag Identification system for individuals
FR2304992A2 (en) * 1975-03-17 1976-10-15 Innovation Ste Int Independent data storage system - has transfer equipment for portable data store
FR2304989A2 (en) * 1975-03-17 1976-10-15 Innovation Ste Int Independent data storage system - has transfer equipment for portable data store
DE2738113A1 (en) * 1976-09-06 1978-03-09 Juergen Dethloff Processing device for banking operations

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2734954A (en) * 1956-02-14 Card switching device
US2792148A (en) * 1956-02-20 1957-05-14 Hotelevision Company Vending machine controlled by credit identification means
US2914746A (en) * 1956-03-27 1959-11-24 Thomas J Reardon Identification system
US3022381A (en) * 1959-02-26 1962-02-20 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Credit card operated telephone
US3641499A (en) * 1969-12-22 1972-02-08 William A Housman Card and verification system having card voiding element
US3702464A (en) * 1971-05-04 1972-11-07 Ibm Information card
US3906460A (en) * 1973-01-11 1975-09-16 Halpern John Wolfgang Proximity data transfer system with tamper proof portable data token
US3971916A (en) * 1974-03-25 1976-07-27 Societe Internationale Methods of data storage and data storage systems
FR2304965A2 (en) * 1974-03-25 1976-10-15 Innovation Ste Int ELECTRONIC CONTROL PROCESS AND DEVICE
US3934122A (en) * 1974-08-15 1976-01-20 Riccitelli James A Electronic security card and system for authenticating card ownership
US4004133A (en) * 1974-12-30 1977-01-18 Rca Corporation Credit card containing electronic circuit
US4001550A (en) * 1975-12-04 1977-01-04 Schatz Vernon L Universal funds transfer and identification card
US4105156A (en) * 1976-09-06 1978-08-08 Dethloff Juergen Identification system safeguarded against misuse
FR2403597A1 (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-04-13 Cii Honeywell Bull IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS FOR PREDETERMINED HOMOGENEOUS UNITS
JPS5386144A (en) * 1977-12-14 1978-07-29 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Secret nuber altering device
FR2445587A1 (en) * 1978-12-27 1980-07-25 Cii Honeywell Bull DEVICE FOR TESTING A WITNESS CHARACTER RECORDED IN A MEMORY
FR2445586A1 (en) * 1978-12-27 1980-07-25 Cii Honeywell Bull METHOD FOR RECORDING AN INDICATOR CHARACTER IN A MEMORY WITH ELECTRIC CHARGE STORAGE AND DEVICE OBTAINED BY THIS METHOD
JPS5857785A (en) * 1981-09-30 1983-04-06 松下電器産業株式会社 Method of mounting electronic part
JPS601666A (en) * 1983-06-17 1985-01-07 Sony Corp Data recording and repoducing device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3806874A (en) * 1972-04-11 1974-04-23 Gretag Ag Identification system for individuals
FR2304992A2 (en) * 1975-03-17 1976-10-15 Innovation Ste Int Independent data storage system - has transfer equipment for portable data store
FR2304989A2 (en) * 1975-03-17 1976-10-15 Innovation Ste Int Independent data storage system - has transfer equipment for portable data store
DE2738113A1 (en) * 1976-09-06 1978-03-09 Juergen Dethloff Processing device for banking operations

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2503423A1 (en) * 1981-03-31 1982-10-08 Flonic Sa Electronic memory for telephone prepaid transaction card - uses encoded memory to validate alteration of credit balance in on-card non-volatile memory
FR2575566A1 (en) * 1984-12-28 1986-07-04 Bull Sa METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING PORTABLE MEDIA SUCH AS CARDS
WO1986004170A1 (en) * 1984-12-28 1986-07-17 Bull S.A. Method for personalizing portable media such as cards
WO1986005613A1 (en) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-25 Toppan Moore Company, Ltd. Ic card
FR2612668A1 (en) * 1987-03-20 1988-09-23 Toshiba Kk Portable electronic device
EP0402759A3 (en) * 1989-06-12 1991-07-31 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Portable electronic device having versatile program storage
US5168151A (en) * 1989-06-12 1992-12-01 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Portable electronic device having a memory with restricted access in off-line modes
FR2665279A1 (en) * 1990-07-24 1992-01-31 Aschenbroich Yves Process for protecting portable cards containing information in memory and device for its implementation
FR2674647A1 (en) * 1991-03-29 1992-10-02 Widmer Michel Apparatus forming an electronic cheque-book for financial transactions and process for using such an apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2455320B1 (en) 1986-01-24
JPS5638650A (en) 1981-04-13
CA1151298A (en) 1983-08-02
JPS6138519B2 (en) 1986-08-29
FR2455320A1 (en) 1980-11-21
US4442345A (en) 1984-04-10
EP0018889B1 (en) 1985-09-04
DE3071055D1 (en) 1985-10-10
BR8002518A (en) 1980-12-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0018889B1 (en) Process for prolonging the validity of the memory working zone of a data carrier
EP0096599B1 (en) Method for the authentification or certification of at least one bit of information stored in the memory of an electronic carrier, especially a replaceable and portable one such as a card
CH631561A5 (en) PORTABLE INFORMATION MEDIUM FOR STORING AND PROCESSING INFORMATION.
KR100760275B1 (en) Chip card comprising means for operating a virtual memory, and associated communication methods and protocols
WO1992013322A1 (en) Secured method for loading a plurality of applications into a microprocessor memory card
EP0565389A1 (en) IC-card personalization process
FR2606909A1 (en) PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, SUCH AS AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BOARD
FR2503423A1 (en) Electronic memory for telephone prepaid transaction card - uses encoded memory to validate alteration of credit balance in on-card non-volatile memory
EP0114773A2 (en) Method and device for authorizing the holder of a portable object, such as a card, access by means of this card, to at least one service delivered by at least one authorizing organisation
FR2757664A1 (en) TERMINAL AND SELF-DIAGNOSIS OR MONITORING METHOD AND PORTABLE OBJECT USED IN SUCH A TERMINAL OR METHOD
FR2647924A1 (en) METHOD FOR VERIFYING INTEGRITY OF SOFTWARE OR DATA, AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD
FR2686171A1 (en) MEMORY MEMORY CARD FOR MICROCOMPUTER WITH FACILITIES FOR EXECUTING INTERNAL PROGRAMS.
EP3293637A1 (en) Index management in a flash memory
EP0228329A1 (en) Electronic device constituting high-speed stable memory
FR2643475A1 (en) METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE USE OF AN INFORMATION MEDIUM, IN PARTICULAR MAGNETIC OR MAGNETO-OPTICAL, AND SYSTEMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION
FR2473755A1 (en) Secure electronic data processing for card terminal transactions - using non-erasable memory data for identification and controlled access erasable memory for transaction recording
FR3051574A1 (en) MANAGING STORAGE IN A FLASH MEMORY
EP3246819B1 (en) Flash memory counter
EP0900429A1 (en) Security access control system enabling transfer of authorisation to make keys
WO1999000774A9 (en) Security module comprising means generating links between main files and auxiliary files
EP0956540A1 (en) Security access control system enabling automatic invalidation of stolen or lost electronic keys and/or transfer of authorisation to make keys
FR2656126A1 (en) METHOD FOR GENERATING A RANDOM NUMBER IN A SYSTEM WITH PORTABLE ELECTRONIC OBJECTS, AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD.
FR2661532A1 (en) Memory with wordwise protected access
EP1488386A1 (en) Method and device for automatic validation of a computer program using cryptography functions
FR2600445A1 (en) Portable electronic apparatus, such as an integrated circuit card, making it possible to rapidly carry out data erasure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): CH DE GB IT NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19810602

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): CH DE GB IT LI NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3071055

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19851010

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, BERLIN UND MUENCHEN

Effective date: 19860604

Opponent name: GAO GESELLSCHAFT FUER AUTOMATION UND ORGANISATION

Effective date: 19860604

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Opponent name: GAO GESELLSCHAFT FUER AUTOMATION UND ORGANISATION

R26 Opposition filed (corrected)

Opponent name: GAO GESELLSCHAFT FUER AUTOMATION UND ORGANISATION

Effective date: 19860604

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19870430

Year of fee payment: 8

RDAG Patent revoked

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009271

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT REVOKED

GBPR Gb: patent revoked under art. 102 of the ep convention designating the uk as contracting state
27W Patent revoked

Effective date: 19880723

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19890228

Year of fee payment: 10

ITTA It: last paid annual fee
EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 80400547.8