Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-17
2004-11-30
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
C235S380000, C235S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06824045
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for using multiple smartcards in a smartcard reader. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for interfacing between an application and a single smartcard reader. Additionally, the present invention relates to a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for interfacing between an application and a single card reader.
BACKGROUND ART
Smartcards have become increasingly popular in recent years. Smartcards are currently used for various purposes including initiating a new session with a device or application program. In many applications the insertion of a controlling smartcard, or the first use of this smartcard after insertion, is a signal to start a new session. When it involves initiating an application, this may be from the card itself or from the computer system that the smartcard reader is connected to, either directly, or via the network.
While a smartcard is inserted in the reader, a running application may request data that is on another smartcard or require operations to be performed using another smartcard. This is often supported with the provision of a second reader for the data. For example, many handheld units for smartcards or credit cards, which are used at a point-of-sale have a reader in a compartment on the back in which a card associated with the salesperson is placed throughout their shift. During this shift, cards of various customers are placed into a reader on the front of the unit. During each transaction, information is read from both the front reader and the back reader.
Typically, where the reading of two cards is required to perform an operation, it is not usual for the same reader mechanism to be used for both cards. Instead, two readers are often used. In some cases (such as the point-of-sale example given above), this is because of the inconvenience of continually swapping cards. In other cases, such as a card-controlled photocopier or a payphone, this is because the ejection of the controlling smartcard from its reader is a signal to terminate the current session. This is a disadvantage in situations where cost is important or space does not permit the use of two readers.
In addition, memory real estate on smartcards is expensive, and this mitigates against use of smartcards for cost-sensitive user interface applications, particularly since this type of user interface is typically a “throwaway” type of device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using multiple smartcards with a single reader, wherein the method comprises; initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader; maintaining said session active when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and a second smartcard associated with the first smartcard is to be inserted in the reader; and performing an action when a said second smartcard is inserted in the reader.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for using multiple smartcards, wherein the system comprises: a single card reader; a processing device having a controlling program operating therein; communication means for communicating between said single card reader and said processor, wherein said controlling program comprises: means for initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader; means for maintaining said session active when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and a second smartcard associated with the first smartcard is to be inserted in the reader; and means for performing an action when a said second smartcard is inserted in the reader.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for interfacing between an application and a single smartcard reader, wherein the computer program comprises: means for initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader; means for maintaining said session active when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and a second smartcard associated with the first smartcard is to be inserted in the reader; and means for performing an action when a said second smartcard is inserted in the reader.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of interfacing between an application and a single smartcard reader, wherein the method comprises: initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader and a controlling program operating on a processing device is in a first mode; terminating the session of the application when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program operating on said processing device is in the first mode; changing the operation of the controlling program from the first mode to a second mode in response to a message from the session of the application that one or more second smartcards associated with the application is able to be inserted in the reader; waiting for a said second smartcard associated with the application to be inserted in the reader when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program is in a second mode; and passing data from a said second smartcard to the application when the said second smartcard is inserted in the reader and the controlling program is in a second mode.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for interfacing between an application and a single smartcard reader, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader and a controlling program operating on a processing device is in a first mode; means for terminating the session of the application when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program operating on said processing device is in the first mode; means for changing the operation of the controlling program from the first mode to a second mode in response to a message from the session of the application that one or more second smartcards associated with the application is able to be inserted in the reader; means for waiting for a said second smartcard associated with the application to be inserted in the reader when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program is in a second mode; and means for passing data from a said second smartcard to the application when the said second smartcard is inserted in the reader and the controlling program is in a second mode.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program for interfacing between an application and a single smartcard reader, wherein the computer program comprises: means for initiating a session of an application when a first smartcard associated with the application is inserted into the reader and a controlling program operating on a processing device is in a first mode; means for terminating the session of the application when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program operating on said processing device is in the first mode; means for changing the operation of the controlling program from the first mode to a second mode in response to a message from the session of the application that one or more second smartcards associated with the application is able to be inserted in the reader; means for waiting for a said second smartcard associated with the application to be inserted in the reader when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and the controlling program is in a second mode; and mean
Simpson-Young William
Yap Sue-Ken
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Taylor April
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