Patent ID: 7426277

Claim:
An authentication system, said authentication system comprising: a portable card terminal, including: first identification information storage means having a first identification information stored therein for discriminating said portable card terminal, said first identification information comprising a portable card terminal identifier that uniquely identifies the portable card terminal, operating means for inputting a second identification information associated with said first identification information, encryption means for encrypting the second identification information input by said operating means based on encryption key information, and first communication means for communication with an authentication device, wherein said communication includes transmitting the first identification information to said authentication device and receiving said encryption key information from the authentication device in response to transmitting the first identification information; said authentication device, provided independently of said portable card terminal for communication with said portable card terminal, the authentication device including: second identification information storage means for storage of the first identification information and the second identification information therein, encryption key information generating means for generating said encryption key information, wherein said encryption key information comprises a random number, and wherein said encryption key information is generated in response to receiving the first identification information from said portable terminal, second communication means for communication with said portable card terminal, and comparator authentication means for comparing and authenticating the second identification information encrypted by said encryption means based on said encryption key information; wherein said portable card terminal encrypts the second identification information input from said operating means, based on said encryption key information received from said authentication device, the so-encrypted second identification information is transmitted through said first communication means to said authentication device; and wherein, in said authentication device, the encrypted second identification information received through said second communication means and the second identification information stored by said second identification information storage means are compared to each other based on said encryption key information to perform the authentication; and wherein said portable card terminal includes a transient storage means for storing the second identification information input by said operating means until authentication of said portable card terminal by said authentication device.