Patent ID: 6988210

Claim:
A data processing system for executing at least one program to which access by a user is controlled by the provision of credentials assigned to said user, said system including: at least one terminal including data processing means for executing at least part of said program, first memory means associated with said program for storing at least first credentials specific to said user, and access control means for authorizing access to said program in response to an identified match between said first credentials stored in said first memory means and second credentials applied via said terminal to said program, at least one security device personal to said user that is associated with said terminal and includes second memory means for secure storage of said second credentials, said terminal including at least some of a credentials management means (CMP) that comprises: reading and transmitting credentials means for reading said second credentials stored in said second memory means and transmitting the read second credentials to said access control means in response to presentation of a request to access said program, credentials updating means for selectively activating the automatic generation by said terminal, and automatic loading into said first and second memory means by said terminal, of new credentials replacing said first and second credentials previously stored, and an activator for activating automatically said credentials updating means each time a match of said first and second credentials has been identified.