Patent ID: 6971583

Claim:
A method of restoring software state information associated with a software application executing within a smart card, said smart card comprising a card portion having an electronic apparatus attached thereto, said electronic apparatus comprising a processor means coupled to a memory means and a communication means, said communication means being configured to couple said processor means to a smart card reader for facilitating reading of said smart card, said memory means being configured to retain at least said software application for execution by said processor means, said method comprising the steps of: retaining software state information representing an execution state of said software application in said memory means of said smart card in response to an indication that said electronic apparatus of said smart card is to be powered down; generating a value for use as a security code; transmitting the generated security code between said smart card and said smart card reader, via said communication means; and retaining said generated security code in said memory means of said smart card and in said smart card reader to allow subsequent restoration of said software state information such that said software application returns to said retained execution state upon said electronic apparatus being powered up following the power down.