Patent ID: 7340462

Claim:
A terminal for displaying, retrieving, inputting and processing data for user comprising: a graphics display central unit configurable as a virtual terminal; and an identification module for identifying at least one authorized user and establishing, for the one user, a specific operating environment on the central unit based on stored information specific to the one user, the central unit comprising a memory unit connected to a processor, a memory unit for applications to be implemented by the terminal, communication means to communicate with at least one network for linking with at least one access/services provider, at least one interface for linking with at least one peripheral, a screen, a keyboard, an energy supply means, a memory unit with confidential access for the personal data of at least one user, and a reading means for reading the identification module, said identification module being removably insertable into the reading means and comprising a processor, means of storing data identifying said at least one user, means of generating for each user a data encryption/decryption key, means of encryption/decryption, means of configuring the terminal as function of the requirements of each user in terms of applications available on the network, wherein, the identification module of the one user can be withdrawn from the central unit and inserted into another central unit to allow the one user to recreate in the another central unit the specific operating environment created for the one user in the central unit and thus to transform the another central unit, while containing the identification module of the one user, into a virtual terminal for the other user, the encryption/decryption means by cooperating with said key identifies the one authorized user and initially establishes the specific operating environment on the central unit based on the stored information pertaining to the one authorized user, by encrypting and decrypting data and/or applications exchanged between the network and said user and/or the data and/or the applications contained in the memory unit with confidential access to create the specific operating environment transferable between the central unit and another central unit based on the stored information pertaining to the one user and so as to recreate the created specific operating environment of the one user, as defined at the time the one user removes the identification module from the central unit, on the another central unit.