Method for simplifying communication with chip cards

Details Method for simplifying communication with chip cards Method for simplifying communication with chip cards

1997-06-13

2001-08-21

Peikari, B. James (Department: 2186)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Peripheral configuration

C710S008000, C710S010000, C710S036000, C710S108000, C710S104000, C710S105000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279047

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the communication of an application with a chip card, as well as a use in reading/writing devices for chip cards.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Cards with an integrated electronic chip which are efficient, generally small, roughly in the size and shape of a credit card, and made preferably of plastic or metal, are known today as data carrier cards or chip cards. In contrast to simple storage cards (which are known as memory chip cards or memory cards), intelligent data carrier cards (also known as multifunctional chip cards or smart cards) possess, in addition to their memory function, their own processor for control of the data stored on the chip of the data carrier card. This makes better protection of the data possible, and results in improved functioning of the chip cards. In general, simple memory cards allow only writing and reading of data. Smart cards, in addition to these functions, also possess functions for structuring of the data, for isolating the data, for administration of the data and for protection of the data. The interface of a smart card, and thus the programming required in order to read data from the chip card (of command sequences, for example), is therefore significantly more complex than that of memory cards.
The installation of chip cards, which is growing primarily due to their enhanced security against tampering, extends to a wide range of application areas. Applications with chip cards, that is, applications in which the communication of any random device with a chip card is required, may be for making payments without cash, identification of the chip card holder, the storage of data, or other similar uses. An application of this type consists of internal application segments on the chip card and external application segments in corresponding devices such as automatic cash machines, PC's or special terminals. In general, internal application segments represent all of the data and programs which are in memory on the chip card itself, while the external application segments represent all of the data and programs outside of the chip card. Programming of these external application segments is typically the responsibility of those who program the devices with which a chip card is to be installed. Frequently, these devices have a complex software platform of their own. In order to integrate applications with chip cards in these instances, extensive knowledge of the structure of the stored data and the interface of the chip card is required.
Most of the chip cards used differ widely among themselves from manufacturer to manufacturer. Many of the chip cards implement a partial set of ISO Standard 7816, and also make use of several special functions. In addition, there is in actual practice the required knowledge of the details of the internal and external application segments to be implemented.
In order to enable access to the data stored on chip cards, a fixed programming (coding) of commands is usually executed. This means, however, increased rigidity of the application and poor maintainability.
When the chip cards are installed, an encryption of the data or the commands for authentication of the chip card or of the world external to the chip card is generally used. To do this, a symmetrical encryption algorithm such as DES (digital encryption standard) or an asymmetrical encryption algorithm such as the public key algorithm is generally used. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is used almost exclusively for authentication of a chip card holder at this time. In addition to devices such as read/write devices for chip cards, there are also especially further elements, such as authentication elements for encryption and for input of the PINs, which must be taken into consideration for an application with chip cards and which may be involved in such an application.
Communication of the elements and devices, which is realized by hardware or software with the external application segments, is performed through the use of programming interfaces. For a chip card, however, a simple interface is not satisfactory. Due to the complexity of the data structures and also of the required commands, it is not enough to use the imbedding of the commands in another protocol or the use of a higher programming language. For application specific data, this also presumes knowledge of the internal structures of the chip card and hence of their accessibility and their method of access through the application via the interface to the chip card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a simplification of the interface for communication with a chip card. This object is achieved in accordance with the independent claims.
An apparatus according to the invention for communication of an interface with a chip card usually has at least one application data storing means (also known as the dictionary) for recording of information concerning application specific data of the application, and at least one chip card dialog module (also known as the agent) for the generation of commands using the application data storing means for an interface to the chip card, whereby the chip card dialog module contains card specific data concerning the chip card.
A request for communication with the chip card is made by the application to the chip card dialog module specified for the chip card. In response to the request, the chip card dialog module generates at least one command which is required for communication with the chip card. To achieve this, the chip card dialog module employs application specific information which is stored in the application data storing means.
In order to facilitate the implementation of different types of chip cards, it is necessary to obtain an interface of the application to the chip card which is as uniform as possible. In accordance with the invention, there is a separation between application specific data and card specific data. Application specific data are those data which contain information concerning the type, location, size and access methods for the data stored on a chip card, as well as the actual data stored on the chip card. On the other hand, card specific data represent those data which provide information concerning the commands and the protocol of a chip card which are required for access to the data stored there.
The separation between application specific data and card specific data makes it possible that one and the same application may be implemented with different types of chip cards. This leads to a significant simplification of the interface to the chip cards, and also improves the separation between internal application segments on the chip card and application segments which are external and separated from the chip card. In this manner, a flexible adaptation to new applications and chip card types is supported.
The solution described here facilitates the integration of chip cards in existing applications and also the implementation of new applications. By the separation of application specific and card specific data, the knowledge required for applications is minimized, and their use is simplified. The maintainability of the internal as well as external application segments is significantly improved. The application of the chip card is relieved of card specific aspects such as commands, protocols and data structures. At the same time, an asynchronous operational mode is made possible, in addition to the synchronous mode.
The invention has preferential applications in read/write devices for chip cards in the broadest sense, that is, in PC·s or other devices which coordinate, control and either directly or indirectly perform communication with chip cards.


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patent: 4874935 (1989-10-01), Younger
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patent: 5517646 (1996-05-01), Piccirillo et al.
patent: 5534855 (1996-07-01), Shockley et al.
patent: 5590193 (1996-12-01), Le Roux
patent: 5624316 (1997-04-0

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