System and method for mutual authentication

摘要

A control unit for controlling a card reader. The control unit includes an authentication management unit for transmitting/receiving information to/from a host and each of a first encryption magnetic head device and a second encryption magnetic head device to mutually authenticate each other. The authentication management unit includes (1) a commanding means for commanding one of the first encryption magnetic head device and the second encryption magnetic head device to create lower-level information for authentication, according to a request on authentication from the host, (2) a sharing means for transmitting the lower-level information for authentication received from the above-mentioned one device to the other device for the purpose of sharing it and (3) a transmission means for transmitting the lower-level information for authentication, having been shared in all of the first encryption magnetic head device and the second encryption magnetic head device, to the host.

主权项

1. A mutual authentication system comprising:
a higher-level device and a lower-level device that mutually authenticate each other; wherein the lower-level device includes:
a control unit configured to control the lower-level device; anda plurality of slave devices controlled by the control unit;wherein the control unit includes:
an authentication management unit configured to transmit information to, and receive information from, the higher-level device and each of the plurality of slave devices to mutually authenticate each other;wherein the plurality of slave devices individually include:
an authentication processing unit configured to create lower-level authentication information for authenticating the higher-level device; anda memory unit configured to save the lower-level authentication information; andwherein the authentication management unit includes:
a commanding means for commanding one of the plurality of slave devices to create the lower-level authentication information, according to a request on authentication from the higher-level device;a sharing means for transmitting the lower-level authentication information received from the above-mentioned one of the slave devices, to the other of the slave devices for the purpose of sharing the lower-level authentication information; anda transmission means for transmitting the lower-level authentication information, having been shared in all the plurality of slave devices, to the higher-level device.