SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING SMART CARD READER RECONNECTIONS

• US 20090001160A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Adams, Neil, Singh, Ravi, Davis, Dinah
• Granted Patent: US 8,091,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment

Abstract

Communications between a computing device and a smart card reader configured for communication with a smart card are facilitated through the use, by the computing device, of a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service. The smart card reader service acts as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader. Appropriate configuration of the smart card reader service obviates a redundant downloading of certificates from smart card to computing device subsequent to loss of a connection between the computing device and the smart card reader. However, upon re-establishing a previously lost connection to a smart card reader and determining that a communication link between a smart card and the smart card reader has been ended and reestablished during the loss of connection, the smart card reader service may indicate to the smart card resource manager that smart card is absent and, subsequently, that the smart card is present.

Claims

1. At a computing device, a method of facilitating communications between said computing device and a smart card reader, said smart card reader configured for communication with a smart card, said computing device executing a smart card resource manager, said method comprising:

re-establishing a connection between said smart card reader and said computing device subsequent to a loss of said connection;

determining, from said smart card reader, a status of said smart card;

if said status of said smart card is determined to be in communication with said smart card reader, determining, from said smart card reader, that a communication link between said smart card and said smart card reader has been ended and reestablished during said loss of said connection;

indicating, to said smart card resource manager, a smart card absent status; and

indicating, to said smart card resource manager, a smart card present status.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wireless connection.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wired connection.

5. A computing apparatus comprising a processor adapted to execute a smart card reader service to:

re-establish a connection between a smart card reader, configured for communication with a smart card, and said computing apparatus subsequent to a loss of connection;

determine a status of said smart card;

if said smart card is determined to be present with said smart card reader, determine that a communication link between said smart card and said smart card reader has been ended and reestablished during said loss of connection;

indicate to a smart card resource manager a smart card absent status; and

indicate to said smart card resource manager a smart card present status.

6. The computing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wireless connection.

7. The computing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

8. The computing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wired connection.

9. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause said processor to:

re-establish a connection between a smart card reader, configured for communication with a smart card, and said computing apparatus subsequent to a loss of connection;

determine a status of said smart card;

if said smart card is determined to be present with said smart card reader, determine that a communication link between said smart card and said smart card reader has been ended and reestablished during said loss of connection;

indicate to a smart card resource manager a smart card absent status; and

indicate to said smart card resource manager a smart card present status.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wireless connection.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein said connection between said smart card reader and said computing device comprises a wired connection.

13. At a smart card reader, a method of responding to a loss of connection with a first computing apparatus, said method comprising:

maintaining an open session with an associated smart card;

associating an identity of said first computing apparatus with said open session;

establishing a connection with a second computing apparatus; and

closing said open session in response to determining that an identity of said second computing apparatus does not match said identity of said first computing apparatus associated with said open session.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus is a wireless connection.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus comprises a wired connection.

17. A smart card reader operable to:

responsive to a loss of connection with a first computing apparatus, maintain an open session with an associated smart card;

associate an identity of said first computing apparatus with said open session;

establish a connection with a second computing apparatus; and

close said session responsive to a determination that an identity of said second computing apparatus does not match said identity of said first computing apparatus associated with said open session.

18. The smart card reader of claim 17 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus comprises a wireless connection.

19. The smart card reader of claim 18 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

20. The smart card reader of claim 17 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus comprises a wired connection.

21. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor in a smart card reader, cause said processor to:

responsive to a loss of connection with a first computing apparatus, maintain an open session with an associated smart card;

associate an identity of said first computing apparatus with said open session;

establish a connection with a second computing apparatus; and

close said session responsive to a determination that an identity of said second computing apparatus does not match said identity associated with said open session.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus comprises a wireless connection.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22 wherein said wireless connection employs a Bluetooth communication protocol.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein said connection with said second computing apparatus comprises a wired connection.