Card Reader Firmware Upgrade via IC Card Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for upgrading firmware in card readers are costly and complex, requiring special devices and posing security risks due to the need for terminal users to provide upgrading files, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that establishes a connection between a card reader and an IC card, performs mutual or one-way authentication to verify the IC card's authenticity, and then acquires and decrypts encrypted files for upgrading the firmware, ensuring validity before the upgrade process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware upgrading is performed by a special device, then upgrading reliability is improved, but device complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IC card as an intermediary carrier to store firmware upgrading files. Instead of requiring a complex special upgrading device, the system uses a simple IC card that can be read by standard card readers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining upgrading reliability through secure authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a portable copy of firmware upgrading files stored on an IC card. This copying approach allows the firmware to be upgraded without requiring the original development environment or special upgrading devices, simplifying the upgrading process while ensuring file integrity through authentication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If terminal users provide upgrading files, then upgrading flexibility is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication of the IC card and firmware files before the upgrading process. By conducting preliminary authentication checks on the card identifier, file identifier, and file content, the system ensures security is verified in advance, allowing flexible user-initiated upgrades without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the card reader authenticates the IC card and verifies file integrity before proceeding with upgrading. This feedback loop ensures that only authenticated and valid firmware files are installed, maintaining security while allowing user flexibility in initiating upgrades.
3Reliability
If EROM or EPROM is replaced for firmware upgrading, then firmware security is improved, but operation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically replacing EROM or EPROM chips with an electronic file transfer and authentication system. Firmware is upgraded by reading files from an IC card through software authentication and writing to Flash memory, eliminating the need for physical chip replacement and making the process much easier to operate while maintaining security through digital authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a method and a system of upgrading firmware of a card reader. In the method, a card reader is connected to an IC card; the card reader determines whether the IC card is an IC card for upgrading, if it is, the card reader makes one-way or mutual authentication with the IC card; after a successful authentication, the card reader acquires files for upgrading the firmware of the card reader. The system includes a card reader and an IC card. The firmware of card reader is upgraded in the invention by acquiring the files for upgrading from an IC card in which the files for upgrading are pre-stored. The invention improves the efficiency of upgrading the card reader and also improves the security of the upgrading by the authentication between the card reader and the IC card.