Ic card identification system including pin-check time means

An IC (integrated circuit) card identification system (100) includes a comparator (26) for comparing a first identification number (PIN) entered by a card-holder with a second identification number (R-PIN), a storage memory (24) for storing at least the second identification number (R-PIN), a timer (25) for measuring a time lapse during a card-identifying operation, and a central controller (17) for controlling the timer (25) to set a first processing time period to be substantially equal to a second processing time period. During the first processing time period, the comparator (26) determines that the first identification number (PIN) is coincident with the second identification number (R-PIN) since the first identification number (PIN) has been entered. During the second processing time period, the comparator (26) determines that the first identification number (PIN) is incoincident with the second identification number (R-PIN) since the first identification number (PIN) has been entered.