Smart Card Routing via Command Proxy Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart card reader systems prevent other computing devices from communicating with a smart card once a communication session is established, limiting concurrent access and timely operation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Command Proxy Application (CPA) in conjunction with the smart card reader and Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) applications allows for routing commands and responses through an existing open communication session, enabling multiple devices to interact with the smart card simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a smart card maintains an open communication session with one computing device, then security requirements are met, but other computing devices cannot access the smart card timely

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Command Proxy Application (CPA) as an intermediary component that enables multiple computing devices to access the smart card through a single open communication session. The CPA receives commands from any connected device, routes them through the existing session to the smart card, and returns responses, thereby eliminating the need for separate sessions while maintaining security constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart card reader is designed to support multiple computing devices simultaneously by implementing the CPA mechanism. Instead of being limited to a single device per session, the system allows any number of devices to communicate with the smart card through the shared open session managed by the CPA, making the system universally accessible while preserving security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a wireless smart card reader maintains parallel communication sessions with multiple computing devices, then concurrent access is enabled, but the smart card can only serve one device at a time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcurrent accessVSAvoidsession exclusivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The CPA acts as a mediator that allows the smart card reader to maintain a single exclusive session with the smart card while simultaneously serving multiple computing devices. All communication from multiple devices is funneled through this single session via the CPA, preserving session exclusivity while enabling concurrent access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple communication paths from different computing devices into a single communication session with the smart card. Instead of maintaining separate sessions for each device, the system combines all device communications through the CPA into one unified session, achieving both concurrency and exclusivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If other computing devices wait for an existing session to terminate before accessing the smart card, then session security is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession securityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The CPA eliminates the need for devices to wait for session termination by providing continuous access through the existing session. Instead of blocking other devices until a session ends, the CPA allows simultaneous access requests to be handled through the same secure session, maintaining security while dramatically improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1879134B1Smart card communication routing
Publication Date: 2008.12.17 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP1879134B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1879134B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1879134B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A computerized device (104, 200) has an open communication session with a smart card (110) via a smart card reader (108, 300). The smart card reader (108, 300) and the computerized device (104, 200) cooperate to enable another computerized device (106) to communicate with the smart card (110) over the open communication session. Communication between the other computerized device (106) and the smart card (110) is routed via the computerized device (104, 200) that has the open communication session.