Secure Application Directory for Contactless Smart Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contactless smart cards have limited processing capabilities and resource constraints, leading to inefficient memory usage and limited development potential, with statically partitioned memory areas that restrict card readers to reading only pre-determined partitions, hindering the deployment of multiple software applications.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for a secure application directory in contactless smart cards, which includes storing an application directory entry with an application identifier, starting memory block number, and size, along with an access key, allowing for dynamic allocation and access control of memory blocks, enabling multiple software applications to coexist and be accessed by external card readers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If memory areas are statically partitioned in conventional smart cards, then card readers can read only pre-determined partitions, but this restricts deployment of multiple software applications and reduces memory utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic memory allocation by replacing static partitioning with a file system structure where memory blocks can be dynamically assigned to different applications. The application directory stores entries with starting block numbers and sizes, allowing the system to flexibly allocate memory resources based on application requirements rather than fixed partitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal memory access mechanism where a single memory space can serve multiple software applications simultaneously. By using application directory entries that map logical application identifiers to physical memory blocks, the system enables one memory structure to support diverse applications including payment, transit, and authentication functions.
2Quantity of substance
If all 4 KB memory is active within the card at any given time, then memory capacity is maximized, but this limits further development and increases resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 4 KB memory into manageable units organized in sectors and blocks, with only the necessary portions activated for each application. The memory is divided into 32 sectors of 4 blocks each and 8 sectors of 16 blocks each, allowing selective activation of specific blocks based on application needs rather than requiring all memory to be active simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates only the memory blocks required by the currently executing application, rather than keeping all 4 KB active. The application directory enables the system to load specific application code and data into active memory from stored sectors, reducing power consumption while maintaining full memory capacity availability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If card readers are encoded to read only pre-determined partitions, then reading security is simplified, but this hinders access to multiple software applications stored in the card
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application directory as an intermediary layer between the card reader and the actual application data. The directory contains entries with application identifiers, starting block numbers, and sizes, acting as a lookup table that enables card readers to efficiently locate and access the correct application without hardcoding access to multiple partitions. This intermediary structure simplifies the reader's logic while enabling access to multiple applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to storing a secure application directory within a contactless smart card. The contactless smart card include secure memory area for storing software applications and may include a default application directory for listing the software applications stored within the contactless smart card to an external card reader. A second application directory is stored with an access key and a listing of a second set of software applications within the same contactless smart card. The second application directory includes improved application directory entries, where each application directory entry includes an application identifier, a starting memory block byte value, and a size byte value for each of the second set of software applications.