Smart Card Testing System with Message Broker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart card testing systems are limited by the availability of reader devices and host computer connections, leading to restricted scalability and capacity, where reader devices can only be accessed by physically connected host computers, resulting in blocked test executions and inefficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected testing system with a message broker that enables collision-free access to reader devices, allowing any host computer to access available reader devices across the network, increasing availability and flexibility, and enabling load balancing through a queue-based system, thus eliminating physical connection constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If host computers are physically connected to reader devices, then direct access and control is achieved, but the number of reader devices is limited by the number of connection ports available at the host computer
Solution Approach 1:
A message broker is introduced as an intermediary component that mediates between host computers and reader devices. The message broker receives requests from host computers, manages the queue of requests, and routes them to appropriate reader devices, eliminating the need for direct physical connections between each host computer and reader device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical connection system (USB ports and cables) with an electronic communication system based on a network protocol. Host computers communicate with reader devices through a network interface and message broker, substituting physical port limitations with network-based communication capabilities.
2Productivity
If reader devices are physically connected to specific host computers, then dedicated access is provided, but test execution is blocked when the host computer is busy or not connected with the master computer
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic allocation of reader devices to host computers based on current availability and workload. Reader devices are not permanently bound to specific host computers but can be dynamically assigned to any available host computer through the message broker's queue management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The message broker maintains a queue of test execution requests and continuously processes them as reader devices become available. This ensures continuous utilization of reader devices and eliminates idle time, maintaining productive action throughout the system even when individual host computers are busy or temporarily disconnected.
3Productivity
If multiple host computers are installed to increase testing capacity, then more tests can be executed, but the cost and complexity of installing and maintaining additional host computers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The message broker serves multiple functions: it acts as a request receiver, queue manager, router, and coordinator for all host computers and reader devices in the system. This universal component enables the system to scale by simply adding more host computers or reader devices without requiring corresponding increases in connection infrastructure or system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of a testing system and method for executing tests on a smartcard are provided. The testing system comprises a plurality of host computers, a plurality of reader devices connectable to a plurality of smartcards, a network connecting the plurality of host computers with the plurality of reader devices, and a message broker configured to provide for the plurality of host computers a collision-free access to the plurality of reader devices. Each of the plurality of host computers is configured to access at least one reader device through the network for executing tests on a smartcard connected with the accessed reader device.