Authentication system and authentication object device

1. An authentication system having an authentication target device having a processor and an authentication requesting device having a processor for carrying out an authentication process for the authentication target device, in which the authentication target device and the authentication requesting device respectively hold at least one common encryption key,

wherein the authentication requesting device comprises:

a first encrypted code production unit that encrypts an authentication code, using the encryption key, to thereby produce a first encrypted code, wherein the authentication code is divided into a plurality of portions having an assigned numeric value;

a switching target portion selecting unit that selects at least one pair of the assigned numeric values of the authentication code as switching target portions;

a transmission unit that sends the first encrypted code and switching target portion specifying information which specifies the switching target portions to the authentication target device; and

a switching unit that switches the switching target portions of the authentication code using the switching target portion specifying information, to thereby produce a comparing code, and

the authentication target device comprises:

an authentication code decrypting unit that decrypts the first encrypted code sent, using the encryption key, to thereby restore the authentication code;

a switching unit that switches the switching target portions of the restored authentication code, based on the switching target portion specifying information sent, to thereby produce a switched authentication code;

a second encrypted code production unit that encrypts the switched authentication code, using the encryption key, to thereby produce a second encrypted code; and

a transmission unit that sends the second encrypted code to the authentication requesting device, and

the authentication requesting device decrypts the second encrypted code sent, using the encryption key, to thereby restore the switched authentication code, and compares the restored switched authentication code with the comparing code to carry out an authentication process for the authentication target device.

2. An authentication target device having a processor holding at least one encryption key common to an encryption key held by an authentication requesting device, to be a target of an authentication process carried out by the authentication requesting device, comprising:

a first encrypted code receiving unit that receives a first encrypted code obtained by encrypting an authentication code, using the encryption key, from the authentication requesting device, wherein the authentication code is divided into a plurality of portions having an assigned numeric value;

a switching target portion receiving unit that receives switching target portion specifying information specifying at least one pair of the assigned numeric values in the authentication code as switching target portions, from the authentication requesting device;

an authentication code decrypting unit that decrypts the first encrypted code received, using the encryption key, to thereby restore the authentication code;

a switching unit that switches the switching target portions in the authentication code restored, based on the switching target portion specifying information received, to thereby produce a switched authentication code;

a second encrypted code producing unit that encrypts the switched authentication code, using the encryption key, to thereby produce a second encrypted code; and

a second encrypted code transmission unit that sends the second encrypted code to the authentication requesting device,

wherein the second encrypted code is used in an authentication process to be carried out by the authentication requesting device wherein

the authentication requesting device decrypts the second encrypted code sent, using the encryption key, to thereby restore the switched authentication code, and compares the restored switched authentication code with a comparing code to carry out the authentication process for the authentication target device.

3. An authentication target device having a processor holding at least one encryption key common to an encryption key held by an authentication requesting device, the encryption key being divided into a plurality of portions having assigned numeric values, to be a target of an authentication process carried out by the authentication requesting device, comprising:

a switching target portion receiving unit that receives switching target portion specifying information specifying at least one pair of the assigned numeric values of the common encryption key, as switching target portions, from the authentication requesting device;

a first encrypted code receiving unit that receives a first encrypted code obtained by encrypting an authentication code, using an encryption key obtained by switching the switching target portions of the common encryption key, from the authentication requesting device;

a switching unit that switches the switching target portions in the common encryption key, based on the switching target portion specifying information received, to thereby produce a switched encryption key;

an authentication code decrypting unit that decrypts the first encrypted code received, using the switched encryption key, to thereby restore the authentication code;

a second encrypted code producing unit that encrypts the authentication code restored, using the switched encryption key, to thereby produce a second encrypted code; and

a second encrypted code transmission unit that sends the second encrypted code to the authentication requesting device wherein the second encrypted code is used in an authentication process to be carried out by the authentication requesting device, wherein

the authentication requesting device decrypts the second encrypted code sent, using the switched encryption key, to thereby restore the authentication code, and compares the restored authentication code with a comparing code to carry out the authentication process for the authentication target device.