Stmicroelectronics Gmbh

Other

Axalto Inc

Taylor Jude Leaming, Iii

Alain C Pomet

Robert A Leydier

Serge F Fruhauf

An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes at least one data terminal for providing communications with a host device over a system bus and a processor configured to provide an attachment signal on the at least one data terminal for recognition by the host device. Further, the processor also cooperates with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon at least one default descriptor, and receive information from the host device regarding a system event. In addition, the processor is configured to remove the attachment signal from the at least one data terminal and thereafter again provide the attachment signal on the at least one data terminal based upon the information regarding the system event, and cooperate with the host device to perform a new enumeration based upon at least one alternate descriptor.

Smart card with self-detachment features and related methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card includes a plurality of data buffers and a processor. In particular, the processor selectively allocates data buffers from the plurality thereof and exchanges data therewith based upon different types of data. As such, the processor advantageously changes the allocation of the buffers for different data types based upon various bandwidth constraints in a particular smart card environment to enhance bandwidth utilization.

Smart card with selectively allocatable data buffers and associated methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes at least one data terminal for providing communications with a host device and a processor for providing an attachment signal on the at least one data terminal for recognition by the host device. Further, the processor also cooperates with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon at least one default descriptor. In addition, based upon a system event, the processor selectively removes the attachment signal from the at least one data terminal and thereafter again provides the attachment signal on the at least one data terminal and cooperates with the host device to perform a new enumeration based upon at least one alternate descriptor.

An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes a transceiver and a processor for communicating with a host device via the transceiver. More particularly, the processor provides at least one default descriptor to the host device, and cooperates with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon the at least one default descriptor. Moreover, the processor also detects a system event and, responsive to the system event, provides at least one alternate descriptor to the host device and cooperates with the host device to perform a new enumeration based thereon.

Smart card with self-reconfiguration features and related methods

An integrated circuit (IC) may include at least one smart card memory for storing a set of default requests and at least one alternate request for each default request. The IC may further include a microprocessor connected to the at least one smart card memory for communicating with a host device using the default requests and alternate requests. The microprocessor may selectively switch between using the default requests and the alternate requests when communicating with the host device. As such, this provides a 'moving target' which makes it difficult for would-be hackers to determine which requests are used for which smart card operations and, thus, to decipher and interfere with data communications.

Smart card with enhanced security features and related system, integrated circuit, and methods

An emulator for a multi-mode smart card may include emulation circuitry for performing smart card applications in a plurality of operational modes. The emulator may also include a smart card connector to be connected to a smart card adapter operable in at least one of the plurality of operational modes. The smart card connector may include a plurality of contacts. Moreover, the emulator may further include a plurality of cable assemblies having first ends connected to the emulation circuitry, where each cable assembly is for a respective operational mode. Further, the emulator may also include an interface device connected between second ends of the plurality of cable assemblies and the smart card connector for selectively electrically connecting a selected cable assembly to predetermined ones of the contacts of the smart card connector based upon the at least one operational mode of the smart card adapter.

Multi-mode smart card emulator and related methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes a transceiver and a processor for communicating with a host device via the transceiver and performing a plurality of smart card applications. Moreover, the processor may cooperate with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon at least one default descriptor, and generate a look-up table for allocating data to respective smart card applications based upon the enumeration. Furthermore, the processor may also detect a system event and, responsive to the system event, cooperate with the host device to perform a new enumeration based upon at least one alternate descriptor and generate a new look-up table based thereon.

Smart card providing data mapping for multiple applications and related methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card may include a universal serial bus (USB) transceiver for communicating with a USB host device, and a microprocessor connected to the USB transceiver and operable in a test mode and a user mode. When in the test mode, the microprocessor may perform a test operation based upon receiving at least one test vendor specific request (VSR) from the USB host device via the at least one USB transceiver. By way of example, the test operation may include scan testing the microprocessor's control logic, detecting a status of at least one buffer and communicating the status to the USB host device, writing test data to at least one designated buffer and sending the test data from the at least one designated buffer to the USB host device, and/or operating with reduced power.

Universal serial bus (USB) smart card having enhanced testing features and related system, integrated circuit, and methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card may include a transceiver and a controller for cooperating with the transceiver to receive operating requests from a host device. The controller may perform smart card operations based upon respective operating requests. Moreover, the controller also may cooperate with the transceiver to receive at least one advance request from the host device to indicate that at least one operating request will follow. By way of example, the standby operation may include loading data in at least one buffer, which may be sent to the host device based upon receiving the at least one operating request. Other standby operations may include disabling data transmission to the host device, such as when the communications bus of the host device is preoccupied, and ceasing performing a current smart card operation to allow a higher priority smart card operation to be performed, for example.

Smart card for performing advance operations to enhance performance and related system, integrated circuit, and methods

A system of the present invention tests the design of a universal serial bus (USB) smartcard device and includes a bus analyzer for running test cases to generate USB bus traffic. A processor is operatively connected to the bus analyzer for receiving and transforming data about USB traffic into a selected data format that is usable across different smartcard development environments.

Smartcard test system and related methods

An integrated circuit for a smart card may include a transceiver for communicating with a host device and a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test controller for performing at least one test operation. Further, the integrated circuit may also include a processor for causing the JTAG test controller to initiate the at least one test operation based upon receiving at least one test request from the host device via the transceiver. More particularly, the processor may convert the at least one test request to JTAG data for the JTAG test controller. That is, the integrated circuit advantageously allows communications between the host device and the JTAG controller via a system bus, for example, without the need for a dedicated JTAG test access port (TAP) which is typically required for accessing JTAG controllers.

Smart card including a JTAG test controller and related methods

An emulator for a smart card device and associated method have at least two virtual components as functional blocks for a smart card device and operative in different clock domains. A functional buffering block is operative for communicating with the functional blocks and buffering between the functional blocks and allowing emulation.

Smart card emulator and related methods using buffering interface

An integrated circuit for a smart card may include a universal serial bus (USB) transceiver and a microprocessor connected to the USB transceiver and operable in a test mode and a user mode. The microprocessor, when in the test mode, upon receiving at least one test request from the USB host device may cause the USB transceiver to output test data, read back the test data from the USB transceiver, compare the test data with the test data read back from USB transceiver, and generate test results for the USB host device based upon the comparison.

Universal serial bus (USB) smart card having read back testing features and related system, integrated circuit, and methods

A smart card includes a card body and integrated circuit carried by the card body, including a microprocessor operative for communicating with a host and driving a signaling device indicative of smart card transactions between the smart card and a USB port of the host. The microprocessor is operative for modulating the signaling device based on operational attributes of the smart card and/or transactions between the smart card and USB port of the host.

Smart card and method that modulates traffic signaling indicative of operational attributes of the smart card and/or transactions between the smart card and USB port of a USB host

A smart card includes a card body and integrated circuit carried by the card body. A microprocessor communicates with a host when the smart card is inserted within a smart card reader. The integrated circuit is operative for driving at least one multi-color light emitting diode (LED) indicative of smart card transactions between the smart card and a USB port of the host and operative for modulating the multi-color LED based on operational attributes of the smart card and/or transactions between the smart card and USB port of the host.

Smart card and method that modulates multi-color LED indicative of operational attributes and/or transactions between the smart card and USB port of a USB host

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Taylor Jude Leaming, Iii