Importance

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Abstract

The subject invention relates to a new and improved key management system particularly suited to facilitate communication between point of sale terminals and a host processor. The system provides for the generation of a table of keys in the terminal. The terminal includes a counter which is related to the table of keys. During a transaction, information, such as a personal identification number (PIN) is encrypted using one of the keys in the table. This information is transmitted, along with other transaction data, and the number stored in the counter. By utilizing the information in the counter, the host processor can generate the key used for encrypting the PIN. By this arrangement, security is enhanced and there is no need for large storage of keys at the central host.

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First Claim