Importance

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Abstract

A smart card, smart card reader, and system for secure entry of a secret personal identification number (PIN) directly into the smart card while the card is presented to the reader. Because the user's PIN is entered directly into the smart card, authenticated directly by the smart card itself, and not propagated outside the smart card, the PIN cannot be covertly obtained through the use of a compromised reader or other device in the system. A PIN keypad on the smart card allows user entry of the PIN, and an authentication unit within the smart card verifies that the PIN is correct. The reader merely supplies electrical power for the smart card to take the PIN entry and perform the authentication, but does not handle the PIN itself in any way. The reader, however, is designed to allow access to the keypad on the smart card while the smart card is being presented. The smart card keypad may have identifying indicia, or alternatively may be not visible, so that photographs, logos, etc., placed on the smart card will not be obscured. In this case, the reader has an overlaying surface with the identifying indicia for the keypad. The reader may also have a separate keypad of its own for use with conventional smart cards that lack a keypad.

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First Claim