Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-09-04
Tremblay, Mark (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S382000, C235S492000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an IC card system to be used as, for example, a transaction terminal installed in a bank for transmitting data input by the user to a host computer, using an IC card which stores encoding key data, and also to a method for securing the IC card system.
In a transaction terminal installed in a bank, data input by the user, such as a password, an amount of money, etc., is encoded in light of security before it is transmitted to, for example, a host computer. The data input by the user is supplied to a control circuit, where it is encoded using key data stored in a hard disk or a semiconductor element under the control of the control circuit. There is a case where an IC card is used as a semiconductor element which stores encoding key data.
To enhance security, it is necessary to exchange encoding key data with new one after it is used for a certain period of time. If the encoding key data is stored in a hard disk or a semiconductor element on an electric unit, very complicated means must be used to exchange it.
There is a case where encoding is performed by use of an IC card which stores encoding key data and a reader device for reading the data. In this case, the encoding key data can be exchanged with new one very easily in a short time, since it can be done by exchanging only the IC card with another.
However, the encoding key data which can be easily exchanged can be easily stolen and decoded, too.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to provide an IC card system protected from data decoding even when an IC card which stores encoding key data is stolen, and a method for securing the system.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card reader/writer which holds an IC card storing encoding information, comprising: input means for inputting data; encoding means provided in the IC card reader/writer for encoding the data input through the input means, using the encoding information stored in the IC card; and transmission means for transmitting, to the host computer, the data encoded by the encoding means.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card which stores first encoding information, comprising: input means for inputting data; first encoding means for encoding the data input by the input means, using second encoding information prestored therein; second encoding means for further encoding the data encoded by the first encoding means, using the first encoding information stored in the IC card; decoding means for decoding the data encoded by the second encoding means, using the second encoding information; and transmission means for transmitting, to the host computer, the data decoded by the decoding means and encoded using only the first encoding information.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card which stores encoding information, comprising: holding means which holds the IC card and performs reading and writing of data; processing means for erasing or rewriting the encoding information stored in the IC card when the IC card is taken out of the holding means; and ejection means for ejecting the IC card after the processing means erases or rewrites the encoding information.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card with an IC which stores encoding information, comprising: holding means which holds the IC card and performs reading and writing of data; application means for applying, to the IC of the IC card, a voltage which can destroy the IC, when the IC card is taken out of the holding means; and ejection means for ejecting the IC card from the holding means after the IC of the IC card is destroyed by the voltage from the application means.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card reader/writer which holds an IC card storing encoding information, comprising the steps of: inputting data; encoding the input data by means of the IC card reader/writer, using the encoding information stored in the IC card; and transmitting the encoded data to the host computer.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card which stores first encoding information, comprising the steps of: encoding input data using prestored second encoding information; further encoding the encoded data using the first encoding information stored in the IC card; decoding the encoded data using the second encoding information; and transmitting, to the host computer, the data decoded and encoded using only the first encoding information.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card which stores encoding information, comprising the steps of: erasing or rewriting the encoding information stored in the IC card when the IC card is taken out of holding means which holds the IC card and performs reading and writing of data; and ejecting the IC card from the holding means after the encoding information is erased or rewritten.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing an IC card system for transmitting data to a host computer using an IC card with an IC which stores encoding information, comprising the steps of: applying, to the IC of the IC card, a voltage which can destroy the IC, when the IC card is taken out of holding means which holds the IC card and performs reading and writing of data; and ejecting the IC card from the holding means after the IC of the IC card is destroyed by the voltage.
Additional object and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The object and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Kawagishi Toshiyuki
Kurokawa Masanori
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Tremblay Mark
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