Authentication terminal

A method of authenticating a subject at an authentication terminal comprising:

• authenticating, using an authentication apparatus at the authentication terminal, an authentication subject;
• inputting an input signal from a signal processing section to an artifact on the authentication terminal, the artifact including a device comprising a specific input/output characteristic unique to a production variation of the authentication terminal, and a measurement apparatus to measure the production variation characteristic, the input signal not including information of the authentication subject,
• outputting from the artifact, an output signal in accordance with an operation result of the artifact, the output signal indicating a result of the measurement of the production variation characteristic,
• storing information indicating an input/output characteristic of the artifact;
• authenticating the authentication subject based on whether the artifact authentication result indicates that the input signal resulted in the output signal in accordance with the input/output characteristic of the artifact,
• storing a plurality of input signals in association with a plurality of addresses,
• determining a base address with the authentication server, and
• inputting the input signal to the artifact at an address from the base address in the artifact by an address offset designated by the authentication server, wherein
• the input signal is input to the artifact only when the authentication subject is authenticated by the authentication apparatus,
• the production variation comprises at least one of device temperature, a semiconductor circuit having a production variation, and aged deterioration of the artifact, and
• the measurement apparatus comprises measurement of at least one of:
• temperature, waveform, delay time, and amplitude of waveform.