System for accessing virtual smart cards for smart card application and data carrier
First Claim
1. A computer readable medium containing instructions for simulating communications with a smart card comprising:
- instructions for creating a virtual smart card adapter which links a smart card application to one of a plurality of smart card modules;
instructions for creating a plurality of smart card modules having access routines for communication with a protected smart card data carrier in response to commands from said virtual smart card adapter; and
instructions for creating a software smart card which simulates a smart card, said instructions allocating memory space on a hard drive of said computer for storing public and private objects of a smart card, and which establish a communications session with said application through said smart card modules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention describes an improved communication architecture for smart card systems and an improved procedure for communication of the smart card applications using protected data carriers, particularly in the case where smart cards or smart card readers cannot be used. The improved communication architecture has a common virtual smart card interface between the respective smart card applications and the modules which facilitate access to the protected data carriers (smart cards). The modules allow access to either physical smart cards, virtual software smart cards or hardware smart cards. The common virtual smart card interface means that the application is completely independent of the respective module or the respective data carrier. Alternatively, the improved communication architecture additionally contains a virtual smart card adapter which communicates over the common virtual smart card interface with the respective smart card application. The different modules are attached to the smart card adapters and selected statically or dynamically by the smart card application. Virtual software smart cards which functionally imitate true physical smart cards can be linked over the virtual smart card adapter to communicate with a smart card application. This procedure is then particularly suited for when the smart card is lost or defective, the smart card reader cannot function, or for testing new smart card technologies.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A computer readable medium containing instructions for simulating communications with a smart card comprising:
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instructions for creating a virtual smart card adapter which links a smart card application to one of a plurality of smart card modules;
instructions for creating a plurality of smart card modules having access routines for communication with a protected smart card data carrier in response to commands from said virtual smart card adapter; and
instructions for creating a software smart card which simulates a smart card, said instructions allocating memory space on a hard drive of said computer for storing public and private objects of a smart card, and which establish a communications session with said application through said smart card modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Communication architecture for the exchange of information between a smart card application and a protected data carrier with public data objects, and private data protected against access, comprising:
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a) a virtual smart card adapter for linking said smart card application to one of a plurality of smart card modules which access said protected smart card data carriers; and
b) a plurality of smart card modules having, access routines for communicating with a protected smart card data carrier in response to commands from said virtual smart card adapter. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Communication architecture for the exchange of information between a smart card application and a smart card comprising:
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a) a virtual software smart card having a data carrier on which data objects with private and public data can be stored, and having cryptographic functions for filing, reading and writing data objects on said data carrier whereby private data can be protected against access using the virtual software smart card; and
b) a module having access routines for communicating with said protected data carrier and said smart card application. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for implementing virtual software smart cards which functionally imitate physical smart cards, comprising:
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a) selecting a virtual software smart card from a plurality of different virtual software smart cards stored in a storage medium;
b) entering a password to personalize the selected virtual software smart card; and
c) generating private and public data objects on said storage medium using functions provided by said virtual software smart cards so that said private data objects are protected from unauthorized access.
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Specification