Reliable and secure information storage on a capacitive memory card
Date
2001
Authors
Gendel, Alon
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Abstract
The Coincard is a capacitive, stored value, plastic memory card, which is used as a low-cost, portable, disposable information storage medium. Coincards are read using specialized readers using zero-proximity, capacitive coupling. The card's typical applications are in the transit, vending, and identity card markets. A card used in such applications, being nothing more than a thin, flat piece of plastic, is subject to damage caused by scratches or bends. Depending on the application, it might carry a monetary value, which makes it a target for counterfeit attempts. This work presents a system solution for the secure and reliable storage of information on the card. The security aspect of the solution incorporates private-key encryption and authenticity validation methods. Card data is encrypted, and signed using an authentication code, making fraud attempts either infeasible or impractical. The error correction scheme uses a unique error correcting code and a card information placement scheme that make it more resistant to physical damage. Both the security and reliability objectives are achieved without adding to the cost of the card, and without inflicting inhibitive costs on the card's reader software or hardware.