A physically unclonable function circuit (PUF) is used to generate a fingerprint value based on the uniqueness of the physical characteristics (e.g., resistance, capacitance, connectivity, etc.) of a tamper prevention (i.e., shielding) structure that includes through-silicon vias and metallization on the backside of the integrated circuit. The physical characteristics depend on random physical factors introduced during manufacturing. This causes the chip-to-chip variations in these physical characteristics to be unpredictable and uncontrollable which makes more difficult to duplicate, clone, or modify the structure without changing the fingerprint value. By including the through-silicon vias and metallization on the backside of the integrated circuit as part of the PUF, the backside of the chip can be protected from modifications that can be used to help learn the secure cryptographic keys and/or circumvent the secure cryptographic (or other) circuitry.

Electronic equipment includes: a substrate configured to include a first component, a second component, and an interconnection part that couples the first component with the second component by electric interconnections; and an exterior part configured to cover the first component, the second component, and the interconnection parts, and include a first exterior section that covers at least a portion of the first component, and a second exterior section that covers at least a portion of the interconnection parts, a thickness of the first exterior section being different from a thickness of the second exterior section to form a level difference in a boundary part between the first exterior section and the second exterior section.

A portable card includes a resonance circuit of the portable card that wirelessly receives power from an external source, a processor of the portable card that wirelessly transmits a predetermined data sequence in response to the resonance circuit receiving power from the external source, and a set of at least three contacts on an exterior of the portable card, wherein a user bridges the contacts with the user's fingers in a predetermined combination to create a circuit and activate the processor for transmission of the predetermined data sequence.

An RFID tag is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna and interactive switch electrically coupled to the RFID chip. When a user physically interacts with the switch (such as by pressing the switch with a finger), the antenna transmits an input signal to an RFID reader of an RFID-based control system. The RFID reader, in turn, transmits a control signal to an electronic device for controlling the device. The RFID tag may be incorporated into any of a number of devices, such as a keyboard or article of clothing, and can function to operate a variety of electronic devices, including audio-visual devices and gaming systems.

Embodiments of the invention prevent unauthorized access to electronic systems by providing an enclosure with improved intrusion detection around sensitive areas of a secured electronic system. Certain embodiments eliminate the need for constant battery power and yet provide uninterrupted high-security supervision at the device perimeter such that even following a power down event it is possible to determine whether a device has been tampered with, so that appropriate action can be taken. This is especially useful in applications in which batteries are not acceptable.

A near field communication device included in a secure transaction card provides an addition and/or transitional communication link for communicating secure transaction information. The near field communication device may be selectively engaged or disengaged and, when engaged, either active or passive modes of operation of the near field communication device can be selected. in the active mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon establishment of a communication link with a complementary near field communication device. In the passive mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon interrogation from a complementary near field communication device. Secure transaction information is generated and stored for transmission in a memory and at least a portion of the memory is erased or nulled upon transmission or upon expiration of a selected period of time.

A near field communication device included in a secure transaction card provides an addition and/or transitional communication link for communicating secure transaction information. The near field communication device may be selectively engaged or disengaged and, when engaged, either active or passive modes of operation of the near field communication device can be selected. in the active mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon establishment of a communication link with a complementary near field communication device. In the passive mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon interrogation from a complementary near field communication device. Secure transaction information is generated and stored for transmission in a memory and at least a portion of the memory is erased or nulled upon transmission or upon expiration of a selected period of time.

The present invention relates to a smart card including a sensor for sensing a finger touch and a controller for causing a first setting change by setting the smart card from a default payment method to a selected payment method, when a fingerprint of the user is recognized based on the finger touch sensed by the sensor; causing a second setting change by setting the smart card from the selected payment method to the default payment method when the fingerprint of the user and a fingerprint of a first person other than the user are simultaneously recognized and a first preset time elapses after completion of payment, and causing a third setting change by setting the smart card from the default payment method to the selected payment method when the fingerprint of the user and the fingerprint of the first person are simultaneously recognized again within a second preset time.

A method and system for programming a smart card using multiple programming protocols in a single card programming station. The card can include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using a different programming protocol. Alternatively, the card can include a single programmable chip, and the chip is programmed using at least two programming protocols. The card can also include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using at least two programming protocols.

A method and system for programming a smart card using multiple programming protocols in a single card programming station. The card can include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using a different programming protocol. Alternatively, the card can include a single programmable chip, and the chip is programmed using at least two programming protocols. The card can also include at least two programmable chips, with each chip being programmed using at least two programming protocols.