Smart Card Reader Service Protocol Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In smart card systems, particularly in environments like Microsoft Windows Vista, there are issues with unnecessary time outs during login authentication due to insufficient response time for the 'SET PROTOCOL' command over wireless links between the smart card reader and the computer, leading to failed communications and login failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a smart card reader service acts as a relay between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader, sending a successful receipt message before waiting for a response from the smart card, allowing the system to proceed with subsequent commands and avoiding time outs by caching failure indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the smart card reader service waits for a response from the smart card before proceeding, then communication reliability is improved, but communication time increases causing unnecessary time outs
Solution Approach 1:
The smart card reader service sends a preliminary acknowledgment message to the smart card resource manager immediately after receiving the SET PROTOCOL command, before actually receiving the response from the smart card. This preliminary action allows the system to proceed with subsequent commands without waiting for the slow smart card response, thereby reducing communication time while maintaining reliability through proper command sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart card reader service acts as an intermediary between the smart card resource manager and the smart card. It buffers the SET PROTOCOL command, sends an immediate acknowledgment to the resource manager, and then forwards the command to the smart card asynchronously. This intermediary role decouples the timing between resource manager expectations and smart card response times.
2Productivity
If the system proceeds with subsequent commands immediately after sending SET PROTOCOL, then communication efficiency is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential command failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the smart card reader service monitors responses from the smart card even after proceeding with subsequent commands. If the smart card fails to respond to the SET PROTOCOL command or subsequent commands fail, the service receives failure indications and can retry or terminate the authentication process appropriately, thus maintaining reliability while preserving communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart card reader service performs preliminary validation and command sequencing, ensuring that even though subsequent commands are sent immediately, the overall communication flow maintains reliability through proper error handling and retry logic implemented in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card, the computer device including a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader, the method comprising: receiving from the smart card resource manager a first command for setting a protocol for communications with the smart card; and responding, prior to receiving a reply from the smart card to the first command, to the smart card resource manager with a message indicating that the smart card has successfully received the first command.