Data processing system which protects the secrecy of confidential data
First Claim
1. A data processing system comprising a data processing machine having means for transmitting data, said data being of the type which includes confidential data, and at least a first member means auxiliary to the machine for receiving and processing at least the said confidential data, said transmitting means including a plurality of second auxiliary member means separate from the machine, each said second auxiliary member means being a light pen having means for formulating the confidential data and including means for transmitting the said confidential data to the said first member by means of a data-carrying light wave which is guided between the first and second auxiliary members in a guidance zone outside which it cannot be detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing system is provided which protects the secrecy of confidial data transmitted between a transmitting terminal and key, such as a credit card, which is used to authorize a dialogue between a data processing machine and an operator. A light pen is provided which is personal to each operator and which includes means for formulating the confidential data in a predetermined code and transmitting the coded information by means of an information carrying light wave. The light pen includes a keyboard which may be in the form of cursors movable along a longitudinal graduated scale which sets the coded data in accordance with the position of the cursors. To this end, the light pen houses an encoder, the output of which is fed to a shift register. The output of the shift register is modulated and fed to an optical-electrical transducer system which is screened to prevent unauthorized detection. The credit card receives the coded information through its own electrical transducer. The information is demodulated, and fed to a register, the output of which is compared to information stored in a memory contained in an integrated circuit chip which forms part of the card. A control responsive to the output of the comparator authorizes the dialogue to take place.
45 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A data processing system comprising a data processing machine having means for transmitting data, said data being of the type which includes confidential data, and at least a first member means auxiliary to the machine for receiving and processing at least the said confidential data, said transmitting means including a plurality of second auxiliary member means separate from the machine, each said second auxiliary member means being a light pen having means for formulating the confidential data and including means for transmitting the said confidential data to the said first member by means of a data-carrying light wave which is guided between the first and second auxiliary members in a guidance zone outside which it cannot be detected.
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8. A system according to claim 19, wherein the keyboard includes cursors which are movable on the pen to formulate the confidential data in a predetermined code.
- 12. A data processing system comprising a data processing machine having a terminal device for transmitting data, said data being of the type which includes confidential data formulated in a predetermined code, first means auxiliary to the machine for receiving and processing at least the said confidential data and authorizing a dialogue to take place between the machine, the terminal device and the first means, said terminal device including a plurality of second means separate from the machine, each of which is personal to a user of the machine and includes means to transmit at least the said confidential data to the said first means by means of a data-carrying light wave, and optical-fibre means for guiding said light wave between the first and second means, said optical-fibre means including screening means for defining a zone outside of which the transmitted data cannot be detected.
Specification