SMARTCARD, HOLDER AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND UPDATING ACCESS CONTROL DEVICE FIRMWARE AND/OR PROGRAMS

• US 20100329458A1
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: SINHA, Anshuman
• Application Number:
  US12/494,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20100329458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/255
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A smartcard having a secure memory storing new firmware, new programs, and/or updated firmware and/or programs. A holder configured to receive the smartcard and to position the smartcard within communication range of an access control device. Methods for loading and/or updating access control device firmware, programs and/or software.

Claims

1. A smartcard, comprising:

a memory configured to store access control device firmware, software and/or programs for subsequent transmission to the access control device.

2. The smartcard of claim 1, wherein the access control device is a smartcard reader.

3. The smartcard of claim 1, wherein the access control device is one of a controller and a bridge that is configured to couple the controller with a smartcard reader.

4. A smartcard reader, comprising:

a memory containing firmware; and

a loader coupled with the memory and configured to load the firmware and to self-configure one or more components of the smartcard reader to reset and/or install access control device firmware, software and/or programs previously stored in a memory of a smartcard.

5. The smartcard reader of claim 4, wherein the smartcard reader is configured to detect the smartcard.

6. The smartcard reader of claim 4, wherein the smartcard reader is configured to read the smartcard.

7. The smartcard reader of claim 4, wherein the smartcard reader is configured to distinguish between an identity smartcard and an update smartcard, wherein the identity smartcard is a smartcard containing identity information of a user of the smartcard, and wherein the update smartcard is a smartcard having the memory that stores the access control device firmware, software and/or programs.

8. The smartcard reader of claim 4, wherein a portion of the smartcard reader is configured to couple with a holder, and wherein the holder is configured to couple with the smartcard.

9. The smartcard reader of claim 8, wherein the holder comprises:

a substrate having a portion configured to couple with the portion of the smartcard reader;

an aperture formed through the substrate and configured to permit viewing of a portion of the smartcard reader when the substrate is proximate the smartcard reader; and

a receptor coupled with the substrate and configured to receive the smartcard.

10. A system, comprising:

a smartcard encoder;

a smartcard having a memory configured to store access control device firmware, software and/or programs loaded from the smartcard encoder; and

a smartcard reader having a memory containing firmware and having a loader coupled with the memory of the smartcard reader and configured to self-configure an installation of the access control device firmware, software and/or programs received from the memory of the smartcard.

11. A method, comprising:

coupling a smartcard with a smartcard encoder that is coupled with a computer; and

loading stored access control device firmware, software and/or programs from the smartcard encoder to the smartcard.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

coupling the smartcard with a deployed smartcard reader;

establishing a communications channel between the smartcard and the smartcard reader; and

transmitting the access control device firmware, software and/or programs from the smartcard to the smartcard reader.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications channel is encrypted.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

coupling the smartcard with a holder.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the holder is configured to receive the smartcard and also configured to couple with a portion of an access control device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

positioning the holder proximate an access control device so the smartcard is placed within communication range and power range of an antenna of the access control device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

opening a communications channel between the smartcard and the access control device; and

transmitting the access control device firmware, software and/or programs from the smartcard to the access control device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the coupling of the smartcard with the holder comprises placing the smartcard in a receptor of the holder.

19. A holder, comprising:

a substrate having a portion configured to couple with a portion of an access control device;

an aperture formed through the substrate and configured to permit viewing of a portion of the access control device when the substrate is proximate the access control device; and

a receptor coupled with the substrate and configured to receive a smartcard.

20. The holder of claim 19, wherein the access control device is a smartcard reader.