CA2217052A1 - Intelligent card reader having emulation features - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent card reader is provided to replace existing magnetic stripe readers, bar code readers, and Wiegand effect readers (403) without the need for expensive retrofitting of computer systems which are coupled to the existing readers. The intelligent reader can replace the aforementioned readers and yet remain compatible with their existing interfaces (406) by emulating a magnetic card reader, a Wiegand effect reader, or a bar code reader (402). Moreover, the card reader can accept smart cards having different functions and/or software interfacing techniques (405), thus allowing different types of smart cards to be used in the same reader. A
reprogramming feature allows the unit to be easily reprogrammed to support new features and smart card types without rewiring or removing the unit.

Description

CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 961308S7 PCTnUS96103636 INTELLIGENT CARD READER HAV~TG EMULATION FEATURES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Tel~hnic~l Field This invention relates generally to card readers which accept and interact with microprocessor-equipped cards (e.g., so-called "smart cards"). In particular, the invention provides a card reader which accepts different types of smart cards and ~rnnl~tes various peripheral devices such as m~n-o-fic stripe readers, bar code readers, and Wiegand effect readers.

2. Related Information The need to store illfolmation in a portable and compact form has led to the development of various types of storage media and peripheral devices which interact with the storage media. For example, cards c~nt~ining m~gnPti~ stripes have been developed to store a customer's bank account information, so that the crlstom~r can insert the m~n~ti~ card into an ATM m~rhin-o and have certain information quickly and ~ntom~tirally ex(~h~nged with a bank. Similarly, Wiegand-effect cards cont~ining a plurality of special wires have been used to store pre-coded mfo.lllation onto a portable card which can then be inserted into a suitable reader, which upon activation by the card unlocks a door or activatesa parking garage gate. Well-known bar code technology allows a library patron's account ihlfc,llllation to be quickly entered and correlated with bar-coded books to be cllecL-~d out from the library. These various media and reader devices have proliferated into numerous appli~tion~ such as cafeteria meal plans, access control, and point-of-sale credit and debit transactions. UnforLunately, the media are incompatible with each other, reslllting in the need for each customer to m~int~in several different cards for a bank, library, parking garage, and the like.
More recently, microprocessor-equipped cards ("smart cards") have been developed to allow larger qn~ntiti~s of inforrnation to be stored onto a single medium. Various manufacturers now provide different types of smart cards with different memory sizes, microprocessor types, and operating systems. The CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96tO3636 development of these cards can provide the basis for elimin~ting different typesof information media altogether and consolitl~ting different types of information on a single card.
Unfo.lullalely, ~icting systems which support m~gn.otic cards, bar-code stripes, and Wiegand effect cards cannot be easily retrofitted to use the newer smart cards. For example, replacing a cafeteria plan system which reads m~gnetic cards would require the replacement of the card reading termin~lc and the inct~ tion of a new type of termin~l which could interact with the smart cards. Additionally, expensive and time-conc -min~ software changes would be required in the central cc,---~uleL to interact with the smart cards. Thus, there exists a problem in transitioning e~icting systems to newer smart card technology.
Even if çxicting systems can be transitioned to smart card technology, there remains a problem of incompatibility among different types of smart cards.For example, different smart card vendors, while providing cards which generally comply with an ISO standard for electrical contacts and the like, unfortunately have failed to ensure that all cards provide a standard set of functions or software intt~ Ps which can be used across dirrt.~ vendors' cards. In other words, tltoci~ning a card reader to work with one vendor's smartcards will not ensure that another vendor's smart cards can be used in the reader.
Other illvellLol~i have ~luL~osed r~a~ s which would allow certain h~udw~-e-specific dirr~ ,ces to be accommodated (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,070,233, which proposes a circuit allowing dirr~.enl clock frequencies among smart cards to be used). However, more serious incompatibilities remain in that different operating systems, functions, and software interfacing techniques are used across different vendors' smart cards. For example, one vendor's cards may provide certain file security features, while another vendor's cards do not, or provide them in a different (and incompatible) manner. One vendor's cards may provide on-card stored-value purse debit and credit functions, while another vendor's CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 cards do not. One vendor's cards may provide file-level access features, while another vendor's cards do not. These illco,ll~atibilities present a barrier to using the newer smart card technology, because integrators may become dependent on a particular vendor for smart cards, preventing price reductions due to lack of competition. Accordingly, there exists a problem in that rrm~ining incompatibilities across smart card vendors inhibit the use of a standard interfacing technique for smart cards.
Finally, conventional smart card readers cannot be readily modified to add new features. Adding new l~a~ules or compatibility modes typically requires changes to the card reader hdldw;~e or requires that the unit be removed for servicing. Thus, modifications become expensive and inconvenient.
SUMMA~Y OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing an intelligent card reader which can replace eYicting m~gnrtir, stripe readers, bar code readers, and Wiegand effect readers without the need for expensive eLlofi~ing of existing CO.ll~U~t;l systems which are coupled to the existing readers. In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide an intelligent card reader which can replace the aforrmrntinned readers and yet remain co.~ ible with their PYicting interfaces by e-mnl~ting a m~gnrtir card reader, a Wiegand effect reader, or a bar code reader. In various embo iimrntc, the present invention thus allows smart cards to be used with exicting systems while ret~ining the infrastructure of the ç~cicting systems.
The present invention also solves the aforementioned problems by providing an intelligent card reader which can accept smart cards having different functions and/or interfacing technigues. It is thus another object of the present invention to provide a smart card reader which can overcome such differences in functions and interfacing techniques, so that dirrt 1~ types of smart cards can be used in the same reader.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intelligent card CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96tO3636 reader which can be easily reprogrammed to support new features and smart card types without rewiring or removing the unit.
As shown in FIG. lA, a conventional bar-code based library book check-out system conl~.ises a library col.l~uLer 100 which receives input from a bar code reader 101. A library patron provides a bar-coded card 102 to a library staff member, who swipes the card in bar code reader 101, which may be a wand-type device or a sc~nning laser device. Each book 103 to be checked out by the patron includes a bar code label 104 which is also sc~nnt--d by bar code reader 101. In this manner, library ujl..~~ule. 100 quickly and accurately receives il~ro~ aLion pertaining to each book check-out operation. Library co--l~ulc. 100may be co~ ocLrd to other COIll~ut~l~, and it may accept input from more than one bar code reader. It is one object of the present invention to provide user account information by way of a smart card reader instead of bar code reader 101, without the need to modify or replace library coll-~u~er 100. Thus, there would be no need for a separate user bar-coded card 102.
FIG. lB shows a conventional access control application which makes use of a Wiegand effect card reader. Access to door 106 is controlled by Wiegand effect card reader 107, which operates a locking device (not shown). Access control coll.L,ul~. 105, which may be coupled to more than one Wiegand effect reader, stores i.. fc,--l,a~ion lC~ldill~ authorized cards which may be used to open door 106. A user tenders a Wiegand effect card 108 into card reader 107, which reads the precoded information on the card and tr~n~mh~ the information to access control co-u~u~er 105. If the precoded information m~tch~s information stored in access control CO.Il~ut~- 105, door 106 is unlocked to allow access tothe user. It is one object of the present invention to allow Wiegand effect reader 107 to be replaced with a smart card reader (and Wiegand effect card 108 to be replaced with a smart card), without the need to modify or replace existing access control co---L,ul~. 105.
FIG. lC (top half) shows a conventional m~gn.oti(~. card-based cafeteria CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 meal plan such as may be implem~nt~l on a college campus or point-of-sale tellllinal. The amount of a meal or sale is rung up on cash register 110. For payment, the user tenders card 112 which includes a m~gnto.tic stripe cont~iningaccount illÇollllation pertaining to the user. The card is "swiped" through S m~gn-o.tic stripe reader 111, which reads the m~gn.o.tic stripe and provides the account information to cash register 110, which may in turn transmit an authorization request signal to a central computer 109 If the meal or other saleis authorized, central co~ uLel 109 debits the user's account and authorizes thetransaction. It is an object of the present invention to allow m~n,~tir. stripe reader 111 to be easily replaced by a smart card reader without modifying cash register 110 or computer 109.
Referring again to FIG. lC (bottom half), m~gn~.tically striped card 112 may instead be inserted into a m~gn~.tic stripe reader 113 which is coupled to or part of an Automatic Teller ~hin~ (ATM) 114. In the latter case, bank account information stored on the m~n~tic stripe is read from the card into ATM 114 and subsequently provided to bank 115 via an on-line Ll~;Lion. It is a further object of the present invention to allow the m~gn~-tic stripe reader 113 to be replaced with a smart card reader, without m~kin~ major modifications to ATM 114.
Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become appal~llL through the following clet~ l description, figures, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. lA shows a conventional library computer system which uses bar code technology to keep track of books checked out by library patrons.
FIG. lB shows a conventional access control system which uses Wiegand-effect cards to verify access to a locked door.
FIG. lC shows a conventional cafeteria plan system using m~gn~tic cards such as might be employed on a college campus.

CA 022l70~2 l997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96/0363G

FIG. 2 shows various embo~lim~nt~ of an intelligent card reader according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows various steps which may be executed in microcontroller 200 of FIG. 2 in order to support dirre~ types of smart cards.
S FIG. 4 shows one technique of layering software in microcontroller 200 of FIG. 2 to isolate differences among smart cards according to various aspects of the invention.
FIG. 5 shows how one embodiment of the intelligent card reader can be interfaced to an existing Wiegand-based security system in an ron-line" mode.
FIG. 6 shows how one embodiment of the intelligent card reader can be used to control a door lock in an "off-line" mode.
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the intelligent card reader in a vending m~rhin-o control application.
FIG. 8 shows how the system of FIG. 7 can be interfaced to different types of vending m~rhin~ control circuits.
FIG. 9 shows various steps which can 'oe executed by an application program to implement a vending m~rhin.o tr~n~ction using a smart card.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a kiosk ellvilolllllent.
FIG. 11 shows an embo limprlt of the present invention in a multi-m~rhin~o controller environment.
FIG. 12 shows steps which may be performed to inhi~li7~ a smart card to operate with an intelligent card reader of the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows one possible file structure for creating files on a smart card as part of the initi~li7~tion process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 2 shows an intelligent card reader in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A microcontroller (or microprocessor) 200, which may for example comprise the well-known 68HC 11 device, is CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 operatively coupled to a card acceptor 201 through interface circuits described in more detail below. Card acceptor 201 may ccl~ ise an ~mph~nol '~push-pull" model, an Amphenol "pnchm~tic" model, a Hopt + Schuler model 846, or any of various other commercially available card acceptors. Card acceptor 201 mech~nic~lly accepts a microprocessor-eauipped smart card 215 having electrical contacts established in accordance with well known ISO standards. Smart card acceptor 201 preferably couples the electrical contacts on smart card 215 with apploLuiate output terminals, including an I/O output terminal 220 through whichdata is l",..~ l to and from smart card 215. Generally, each of the 8 electrical contact pads is coupled to an output terminal on smart card acceptor 201 as shown in FIG. 2.
A nonvolatile memory 206 is coupled to microcontroller 200 for storing programs which may be executed by the microcontroller. A reprogr~mming control circuit 208 allows the microcontroller to be reprogrammed through a reprogr~mming interface 209, such as through a PC 210 having a serial port 211.
A Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Tr~n~mitt~r (UART) 207 may also be provided to support RS-232 feal~les.
The interface cil~;uilly which couples microcontroller 200 to srnart card acceptor 201 will now be described in more detail. A reset signal ~ ~d at an I/O pin on the mi~,lucolllloller is used to reset smart card 215 through reset line 216. A clock divider and controller circuit 202 divides a clock output of microcontroller 200 to a lower frequency (such as 1.8 MHz) suitable for the smart card being used. An I/O pin on miclocolllloller 200 may be used to start, stop, and control the clock signal which is provided to smart card 215 via clockline 217. A power control circuit 203 is coupled to the Vcc and Vpp lines, respectively, of card acceptor 201, which provides these lines to corresponding electrical pads on smart card 215. In various embodiments, Vcc and Vpp may be provided at the same voltage level (one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that older smart cards often require different voltage levels while newer CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096130857 PCTrUS96/03636 cards can operate at the same external voltage level). Power control circuit 203may also be enabled by I/O pins on microcontroller 200 in response to software operating in the microcontroller. Bi-directional buffer circuit 204 acts to convert the single I/O line 220 from the smart card into two separate unidirectional I/OS lines on the microcontroller. A ground line (not shown) grounds one of the pins on smart card 215 in common with the microcontroller ground. Two of the 8 contact pads on the smart card are not used in various embodiments of the present invention.
In various embo~liment~, smart card acceptor 201 may be equipped with a "card present" signal line 221 which is energized in response to the insertionof smart card 215. This line may be used to drive an interrupt line on microcontroller 200 as shown in FIG. 2. A card eject feature may also be provided in smart card acceptor 201, which is controlled by microcontroller 200 through power co~ e~ 205. In response to a command from microcontroller 200 and a corresponding signal on line 222, card acceptor 201 ejects a smart card typically using a solenoid. The dotted line in smart card acceptor 201 in FIG.
2 illustrates that the "card present" and "eject" signals are interfaces to the card acceptor itself and not to the smart card.
Although the present invention generally cc,uLelllplates that the intelligent card reader shown in FIG. 2 will operate to convert data stored on smart card 215 into either a Wiegand effect signal, a m~gn.otic stripe signal, or a bar code signal, Cil~;uiLly is shown in FIG. 2 for implementing all three types of ~m~ t~d signals. Thus, a Wiegand output terminal 212 is provided for em~ ting Wiegand effect signals, a m~gn~tic stripe output terminal 213 is provided for emnl~ting a magnetic stripe signal, and a bar code output terminal 214 is provided for emulating a bar code signal. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that preferably only one, and not all three, of these outputs is needed to accomplishthe objects of the invention. It is well within the scope of the present invention, however, to simultaneously provide all three types of outputs if desired.

CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 The power-up sequence used for interacting with smart card 215 is well known and is not described here in detail. Briefly, when a smart card is inserted into card acceptor 201, a "card present" signal is generated on line 221 which illte.lu~L~ microcontroller 200. At that point, microcontroller 200 provides power and clock signals via lines 217, 218 and 219 respectively, and generates a reset signal via reset line 216. In response to the reset signal, smart card 215 generates an "answer-to-reset" data packet which includes information describingthe card (see rliccllcsion below pertaining to card compatibility features).
Thereafter, microcontroller 200 ~ ldl~S various cc ~ o-lc via I/O line 220 and receives responses thereto from smart card 215. Examples of various smart cards which may be used are the commercially available GEMPLUS MPCOS~
or PCOSn' cards, the Sr,hlllmherger ME2000, or Giesecke & Devrient STARCOS
cards.
DEVICE EMULATION FEATURES
A description of the various emulation fealu-~,s of the present invention will now be provided, be~i....;..g with the Wiegand effect çmlll~tion feature. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a Wiegand effect card coded in a particular m~nnPr can be replaced with a smart card onto which the same code is stored. The col~ ding Wiegand effect reader, such as that shown in FIG. lB, is replaced with the intelligent card reader of the present invention. The intelligent card reader reads the preprogrammed code from the smart card, co~.re~ls the code into Wiegand effect signals, and ~ the Wiegand effect signals over wires to an external device which normally expects to receive such signals.
In order to Pm~ te a Wiegand effect device, a Wiegand effect terminal 212 (FIG. 2) is provided. This tPrrnin~l may comprise three wires, two en~ g from I/O lines on microcontroller 200 and a third wire being input into microcontroller 200 from an external device such as an access control computer or parking garage gate controller. The characteristics of a Wiegand CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTrUS96/03636 effect signal are well known and need not be described in detail here (see, for example, the following U.S. Patents: 3,783,249; 3,866,193; 4,309,628; and 4,484,090). According to these well known principles, when a Wiegand effect card is inserted into a Wiegand effect reader, wires embedded in the card are S ene.~i~ed to produce pulses in a seq~rr~ which corresponds to the code of the wires. The Wiegand effect reader generates a pulse train on two wires. As one example, each pulse may have a pulse width of approximately 50 microseconds, and a pulse spacing of approximately 1 millicecond. Specific pulse spacings for various Wiegand effect readers can be ascertained by ~a~Lul illg and analyzing the output of any of various types of commercially available readers, such as the Sensor Card model number 30387, m~mlf~rtl-red by Sensor F.nginPering Co., an _chlin co..lpa ly.
In order to emnl~tP a Wiegand effect signal, microcontroller 200 includes a software program which makes use of various internal timers (not shown) to generate these pulses on lines deci~n~tP<l W0 and W1 in FIG. 2. For example, if a Wiegand effect card cont~ining the code "42318" is replaced with a smart card 215 having this code stored in an app.ol,.iate file on the card, the intelligent card reader of ~;IG. 2 reads this code from the smart card and generates pulses on wires W0 and W1 corresponding to the code "42318". One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize how to gell~ldl~ pulses according to a desired sequence using simple timing roulilles in sorlw~.~; eYPc~lting in microcontroller 200. The external device coupled to lines W0 and W1 receives this signal and, in various embo-liml?nt~, returns a confirm~tion signal on line C through termin~l 212. This signal may be received by microcontroller 200 via an I/O line and used to energize red LED 223, green LED 224, or buzzer 225 in order to communicate to the user that the transaction was authorized or not.
A description of m~gnetic stripe ~mnl~tion features will now be provided.
As with the Wiegand effect emulation feature, it is assumed that a card cont~ining a m~gn~tic stripe (such as a bank debit card, a cafeteria meal plan CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTnUS96tO3636 card, access control card, or the like) is replaced with a smart card which is programmed with the same data which existed on the m~gnetic card. Thus, smart card 215 is inserted into card acceptor 201, and microcontroller 200 readsthis information from the card in accolJallce with the particular application for S which the card is used. A m~gn.otif stripe output terminal 213 is provided for em~ ting signals ~ ellcl~,L~d by a m~gn~otic stripe reader. The intelligent cardreader such as that shown in FIG 2 may be used to replace the existing m~gn~tic stripe reader. The intelligent card reader couples to the existing extern~l device, such as cash Ic:gi~lei 110 shown in FIG. lC, so that the existing device receives a signal which a~e~ to correspond to that read from a m~gntotic stripe card.
Most m~gn~ti~ stripe cards include at least three "tracks" on the m~gnf ti~
stripe, each track having a different data density. As the m~gnPtir stripe is pulled across a m~gn~ti~ head, two data streams are generated for each track: a clock data stream and a corresponding data stream. Therefore, the faster the card is pulled through the reader, the faster the clock signal will be generated, but the clock and data c~ lc will be generally in sequence with each other.
Some cards may include more than three tracks, recorded at different data densities. It is well wi~in the scope of the present invention to emlll~te thosecont~ining more than three tracks.
According to the magnetic stripe emulation Ç~lu~:s of the present invention, a clock line and a data line are supplied as outputs from I/O pins onmicrocontroller 200 as shown in FIG. 2. In response to inserting smart card 215 into card acceptor 201, microcontroller 200 reads the code (corresponding to data previously on a magnetic stripe card) from a known file on the smart card. This code is then converted into a stream of data bits along with a corresponding clock signal. Both signals are output through terminal 213 to the external device which is compatible with a magnetic stripe reader. Because the speed at which smart card 215 is inserted into card acceptor 201 has no bearing on the clock rate to be generated as an output, a fixed clock rate may be used from microcontroller CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 PCTnUS96/03636 200. As explained above, certain m~gnPtic striped cards may include four or more tracks of data. Accc,-dill~,ly, m~gn~tir stripe termin~l 213 may c~ lise more than two wires, each pair of wires typically corresponding to a data/clock combination.
A description of the bar code emulation features of the present invention will now be provided. Generally speaking, there are two classes of bar code reading device: "wands" and "scanners". A bar code wand is a device which reads bar code symbols as a wand is dragged across the bar code; thus, the code is read once and the speed at which the code output is generated depends on the speed at which the wand is dragged across the bar code. A bar code ~ca.ll~el, incontrast, generates a sc~nnin~ laser beam which repeatedly "scans" across the bar codes and reads the codes multiple times to "lock on" to the code. The speed at which the bar code signal is generated depends on the sc~nnin~ frequency of the laser beam. The output of a "sc~nning" bar code reader is typically an ASCII
character stream of the form:
~ SOT > < ASCII TEXT > < EOT > .
The present invention can be used to en~ tl- both types of devices.
As shown in FIG. 2, microcontroller 200 is coupled to a Universal A~yllchlvllous Receiver/Tr~n~mitt~r (UART) 207, which provides an RS-232 terrnin~l 214 in-~ln~ling a l.,.. ~.. ;~ (TX), request-to-send (RTS), clear-to-send (CTS), and ground tennin~l In ~ onse to reading a code from smart card 21~
(which code co..~onds to a code previously stored on a bar coded card such as a library card), microcontroller 200 converts this code into a serial bit stream in the form < SOT> < ASCII TEXT > < EOT > and provides it to UART 207.
2~ The UART converts this into ap~lo~liate signals on RS-232 terminal 214, which is preferably coupled to an external device which expects to receive a bar code signal in this format.
To implement a bar code "wand" capability, a clock and data output through terminal 213 may be used, such that pulses corresponding to the swipe W 096/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 of a wand over a bar code are generated. The generation of this type of pulses is well known in the art and need not be described here.
CARD COMPATIBILlIY EEATURES
The manner in which the intelligent card reader of the present invention can operate with different types of smart cards will now be described. As described previously, most smart card vendors follow certain ISO standards pertaining to electrical char~ct~ri~tics of the cards (e.g., the pl~r~mPnt and definition of the various electrical contact pads on each card). However, smart cards vary in their support of certain functions, and in the manner in which thefunctions are invoked from a device in collllllllllir~tinn with the smart card.
As a first example, the GEMPLUS MPCOSTU smart card provides file-based comm~n(l~, allowing individual files to be specified by 16-character name on the card. In contrast, certain other vendors do not provide such filename-based comm~n~. Consequently, software in a smart card reader which needs to retrieve information from a smart card must first know what type of smart card has been inserted in order to ~lete~nin~ how to inSPr~t with the card. A
cafeteria plan, for example, which needs to retrieve a student meal plan accountnumber from a smart card would need to either specify a particular file name (ifusing a card from vendor A), or to specify a particular record location (if using a card from vendor B).
As a second exarnple, one smart card vendor may provide a comm~n-l which performs a particular function such as establishing a secure session with a device. In contrast, another vendor may require the execution of two or three separate comm~nrlc to perforrn an equivalent operation. Therefore, an application program which needs to establish such a secure session with a smart card must contain special code which accounts for the differences between the cards.
Finally, two types of smart cards may provide an identical ~unction, but require a different method of invoking that function (e.g., different comm~n-l CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96/03636 code or name). Therefore, ~lepçntling on the type of card used, an application program would need to account for such vendor-specific differences.
To overcome the aforementioned differences, the present invention collLt;~l,plates ~ .i..g what type of card has been inserted into the reader and, if the functions for that card are supported, setting a set of software pointers to use routines specific to that type of smart card, while providing a generic set of smart card access functions which can be used across different types of smart cards. FIG. 3 shows various steps which can be execllte~l in microcontroller 200to set the intelligent card reader in a mode which will handle a particular cardinserted into it, while FIG. 4 shows one possible software layering technique providing a generic card interface layer 401 which hides differences among smartcard types.
Beginning in step 300 of FIG. 3, a reset signal is sent to the smart card via line 216 of FIG. 2. In accordance with the well-known ISO standard, each smart card responds to a reset signal with an "answer-to-reset" (ATR) data stream which inrllltles, among other things, a stream of bytes including vendor il~ol",ation, typically embedded in the rhistorical" portion of the ATR stream.
After receiving the ATR data in step 301, vendor information is extracted from the Al~ data and c~ ,d to an intern~l table which in~lir~tes which vendor cards are :,up~lLed. If, in step 303, the ATR data m~trh~s a supported smart card, then in step 30~ software pointers are set up so that the generic card interface comm~n-l~ contained in layer 401 refer to the specific card routines for that type of card. On the other hand, if the card is not recognized, then in step 304 a message or other intlir~tion is generated to in~lic~te that the inserted card is not supported.
FIG. 4 shows one technique of layering software in microcontroller 200 in order to isolate differences among smart cards. It is assumed that the software shown in FIG. 4 resides in nonvolatile memory 206 (FIG. 2) from where it is fetched and executed by microcontroller 200 as needed. Application program CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W Og6/30857 PCTnUS96tO3636 400, which may for example comprise an access control application which retrieves a file from a smart card and extracts an access code from the file, interfaces with a generic card interface layer 401 rather than directly coupling to various vendor functions. Generic card interface layer 401 thus provides functions which are common across different types of smart cards, such as a "create-file" function and a "retrieve-file" function. In contrast, card-specific layer 403 is partitioned into those specific functions n~ceC~ry for carrying outthe generic functions according to the specific type of card inserted. For example, Card Type 1 Routines shown in FIG. 4 may contain the specific functions and par~m~ter.s required to interact with the GEMPLUS MPCOS~
card. Conversely, Card Type 2 Routines shown in FIG. 4 may contain the specific functions and parameters required to interact with the Schlumberger ME2000 smart card. Although the generic functions provided in layer 401 are selectively coupled to either the routines in Card Type 1 Routines or those in Card Type 2 Routines based on whether a GEMPLUS or a Srhlllmherger card has been inserted, application program 400 is entirely isolated from these differences and need not be changed when a new type of card is supported.
ISO standard low-level card protocol 404 is common across smart cards, and provides the low-level :ju~olL needed to llal~rci individual bits and bytes to and from the smart card via I/O line 220 shown in FIG. 2. Finally, e~mll~tionfunctions 402 include those emnl~tion r~,alurcs needed to convert a given data item to a m~gn.-tic stripe signal, Wiegand effect signal, or a bar code compatible signal as described above.
REPROGRAMM~G CAPABILITY
The present invention contemplates an intelligent card reader which can be reprogrammed to support new types of cards and different applications withoutrequiring hal-lw;llc changes, and even without removing the cover of the device.In this regard, various embodiments of the invention include a reprogr~mming interface which allows new or modified software to be downloaded into CA 022l70~2 l997-09-30 W 096130857 PCTrUS96/03636 microcontroller 200 from a PC or similar device.
Rer~ lg again to FIG. 2, reprogram control circuit 208 iS coupled to a reprogl,.. ;.~g interface port 209, which may be selectively coupled to the serial port 211 of a PC 210 through four lines. R~ o~,l~ll control circuit 208 iS
S preferably alldllged so that the connection of a plug to interface port 209 changes the bootstrap mode of microcontroller 200, such that upon reset microcontroller 200 reads instructions from PC 210 via interface port 209 instead of from nonvolatile memory 206. The microcontroller continues to load data from PC
210 into its internal RAM until the PC stops s~ntling data. In this malmel, the PC may download a bootstrap program which allows new programs and data to be stored into nonvolatile memory 206. When downloading is complete, the plug may be removed and the microcontroller rebooted from its own memory.
Various security schPmes between PC 210 and microcontroller 200 may be used to ensure that new or modified code is not improperly loaded into memory 206.
Instead of repro~,l,.. i.-g from an externally coupled colllL,ulel through interface port 209, reprogr~mming could be effected by inserting a smart card into card acceptor 201 and loading new code from the smart card into memory 206.
CARD READER APPLICATIONS AND EMBODIMENTS
Various emb~lim~llt~ and applications of the intelligent card reader will now be described in more detail, it being understood that one basic embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. Heleil~fltl, the term "intelligent card reader" or ICR will be understood to refer to various embo~iment~ of the invention depicted in FIG.
2 and variations thereof.
ON-LINE ACCESS CONTROL READER
This embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of an intelligent card reader in conjunction with an eYi~ting Wiegand-based security system to authorize access from a central location. As shown in FIG. 5, a first door 501 is locked by an electronically-controlled lock 502. A first ICR 503 is coupled CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096130857 PCTrUS96/03636 to an existing Wiegand-based security system 505, such as the Miniplex system by Thorn Industries, whieh ean handle up to 4 Wiegand eard readers and control up to 4 door loeks. Door lock 502 may be opened upon an al,~royliaL~ signal from security system 505. As eontemplated by FIG. 2, ICR 503 aeeepts a smart eard 504 and, after reading a predetermined file from the eard, extraets a s~;ulily access eode from the file and ge~ dtt:s Wiegand effect pulses eoll~ ollding to the extracted access eode on two Wiegand wires eoupled to security system 505.
Security system 505 eompares the reeeived Wiegand effect signal (collcsponding to the access eode) and, if it matehes a code ple~Loled in its memory, sends a co,-r,-."~tion signal back to ICR 503, which preferably turns on a green LED.
Additionally, security system 505 signals lock 502 to open, allowing aceess to the door. If, on the other hand, the aceess code does not match one stored in security system 505, a non-eo-.r....~tion signal is sent to ICR 503, which then energizes a buzzer and/or a red LED to in~ tP to the user that aeeess is not authori~d. A second ICR 508 operates in a similar manner to allow aeeess to door 506. It should be noted that each ICR preferably accepts smart cards of different types in accordance with the steps depicted in FIG. 3. As explained previously, an advantage of the approach shown in FIG. 5 is that .o.xi~ting Wiegand-effect readers ean be replaeed with intelligent eard readers without theneed to replace the existing Wiegand-based security system 505. In order to gainaccess, users need only have a smart card, which ean be used for llulll~;lUUS other purposes other than the aceess eontrol application. It is well within the seope of the elaimed invention to eontrol parking garage gates and the like.
OFF-LINE ACCESS CONTROL READER
An embodiment of the present invention which uses an ICR for an off-line access control application will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6, an ICR
601 is coupled to a microprocessor 602 through a wall which supports an electronic lock 604 to prevent access through a door (not shown).
Microprocessor 602 is coupled to a memory 603 (which may comprise a ~ CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PC~rnUS96/03636 nonvolatile memory) into which one or more access "keys" may be stored. For example, memory 603 may contain an access key for lock 604, an access key for all locks located in a particular area or floor of a building, and an access key for an entire building.
ICR 601 may be coupled through a wall to microprocessor 602 through Wiegand emulation lines as shown in FIG. 2. The reason for splitting up ICR
601 from lock control microprocessor 602 is to prevent lln~llth~rized tampering with the wires em ~n~tin~ from ICR 601. In other words, if ICR 601 were to directly control the operation of lock 604, an intruder could remove part of ICR601 from the wall and "hotwire" the lock mPch~ni~m to gain lln~lthorized access. With the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the "unlock" decision is made by microprocessor 602, which unlocks lock 604 from behind the wall.
In operation, a smart card inserted into ICR 601 may be provided with one or more access control keys, such as a key only for lock 604, a key for all locks in a particular area or floor of a building, or a key for an entire building.
After reading the key(s) from a smart card inserted into ICR 601, ICR 601 transmits the key(s) over Wiegand emulation wires to microprocessor 602.
Microprocessor 602 co~ ares the key(s) with those stored in memory 603 and, if a match occurs, unlocks lock 604. It should be noted that means other than the Wiegand ermll~tion connection may be used between ICR 601 and microprocessor 602, such as RS-232, etc. Use of the Wiegand effect emulation wires, however, allows a standard type of ICR unit to be used. As with the on-line embodiment, it is well within the scope of this embodiment to control parking garage gates or other types of entry-inhibiting devices such as safes orfile cabinets. The ICR can also be programmed to make access contingent on other parameters such as time of day, or day of week. The ICR can also control access by limiting the number of times or having a preprogrammed expiration date.

S~ TE S~ LE ~) W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96103636 VE~nDn~G ~lA CEn~E REAI~ER
FIG. 7 shows how the intelligent card reader of the present invention may be used in a vending m~-~hine to di~ se items such as candy, new~al)ers, soft drinks, or the like. This embodiment may also be used to control a photocopy CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTrUS96/03636 m~rhinP. The most salient dirrel~nces between the embodiment of FIG. 7 and that of FIG. 2 include the addition of realtirne clock 730, smart LCD unut 732, and card eject button 731, a ~cond nonvolatile memory 733, an optional PIN
keypad 734, and a plurality of control lines to the vending m~rhinr control circuits (see FIG. 8).
There are many types of known vending m~rhinr control circuits which can be tapped into to allow the intelligent card reader to control each m~rhine.Three examples of these are the MC5000, the MC5800, and the Multi-Drop. In general, I/O lines on microcontroller 700 can be interposed between the e~ ting coin mt-ch~ni~m on the vending m~rhine and the m~rhinr control lines as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C for the three types of vending interfaces.
FIG. 8A shows one possible impkm.ont~tion for controlling a vending m~rhinr which uses the MC5000 type of inteRace. M~rhinto controller 804 (part of the existing vending m~rhin.o) inrllldes an interface defined by 12 lines, three of which are power, one of which is a ground, and the rem~ining 8 lines used to control the vending m~rhin~ itself. Coin mech~ni~m 805 (part of the existing vending m~rhinP) connects to these 12 lines. In accold~lce with various embo lim~-ntc, reader connector 803 is provided to hlL~l~;ept the 8 control lines between coin mPch~ni~m 805 and m~rhin.o controller 804. Cormector 803 provides the 8 control lines and a ground to line drivers and l ~ ivel~i 801 and802, each respectively coupled to m~rhin.o controlkr 804 and coin mrch~ni~m 805 through the connector. Microcontroller 700 interf~res to these line drivers and receivers to interact with the 8 control lines of the vending m~rhinr. The embodiments shown in FIG. 8B and 8C correspond to the MC5800 and Multi-drop type vending machines, respectively.
Generally, when a card is inserted, the coin mech~ni~m can be disabled.
If no card has been inserted, the normal coin merh~ni~m signals are passed through to the machine controller 804. In this sense, the ICR controls the operation of the coin mechanism. Alternatively, the coin mrch~ni~m can be CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096130857 PCTtUS96tO3636 operated in conjunction with the ICR, such that a combination of coins (or bills) and value stored on a card can be used to purchase items from the m~ into.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize how control signals corresponding to the proper coin amount can be gell~ldlt:d by microcontroller 700 for the particular vending machine controller. These vending m~-~hin.o interfaces are well-defined and no further elaboration is n~cess~ry here. Electronic photocopier m~hint-s have similar types of interfaces, generally simplified by the fact that a single predetermined "item" (i.e., a photocopy) is always selected.
FIG. 9 shows a sequence of steps which may be performed by microcontroller 700 to conduct a vending m~rhin~ transaction using a smart card having an electronic "purse value" corresponding to cash previously tendered by the holder of the card. This sequence of steps can be implem~nt~d as a vending m~hint- application program, such as program 400 shown in FIG. 4.
Beginning in step 901, the user inserts smart card 715 into card acceptor 701. In step 902, the intelligent card reader is set up to handle the particulartype of smart card which was inserted, generally by exec lting the steps previously explained with lerelellce to FIG. 3. In step 903, a secure session may be initi~tç~ with the smart card by exrh~n~ing ell~ L~d data between microcontroller 700 and smart card 715. (Any of various known techniques for initi~ting a secure session may be used, such as ex~-c~ting steps including the generation of a random number, using the random number to derive a session key, encrypting the session key and tr~n~mitting it to the smart card, performing corresponding operations on the smart card, and verifying that both the smart card and the microcontroller arrive at the same key after decryption. A securityaccess module (SAM), implemented in hardware or software is used to implement these functions. The details of such techniques are beyond the scope of this description.) Once a secure session has been established with the smart card, then in step 904 a "purse value" is extracted from the card. This purse value may SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W 096130857 PCTrUS96/03636 correspond to an amount of cash which the card holder has previously paid and which was thereafter "in~t~lled" onto the card in a "revalue operation", described SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/308~7 PCTnUS96103636 in more detail herein. Referring briefly to FIG. 4, if the particular type of card inserted directly supports purse value c~ mm~n-lc, then those co~ tis can be used in layer 403. On the other hand, if the particular type of card inserted does not support these types of comm~ntl.c, then an equivalent type of command can be constructed in layer 403 using available file-type or record-type comm~n-l.c depending on the particular card used. In other words, application program 400 can be provided with generic purse-value comm~n~ls regardless of whether the particular type of card inserted supports those comm~n-1c directly or indirectly.
In step 905, the purse value extracted from the card is displayed to the user on display 732. In step 906a, the user selects an item from the vending m~rllinP, and this selection is received as an input signal on I/O lines of microcontroller 700 depending on the type of vending m~chinP interface to which it is connPcte~ r~ ely, in step 906b the cost of the most expensive item in the vending m~rhinP which could possibly be selected by the user is ~l~terminPd as the item value. Either approach (step 906a or 906b) may be used.
In step 907, a test is yel~lllled to determine whether the item value (either the selected value from step 906a or the m~ximl-m value from step 906b) is less than or equal to the purse value extracted from the smart card. If not, then in step 908 an error message is displayed on display 732, and the card is autom~tir~lly ejected to the user in step 909.
In step 910, it is ~ccllmP-l that the item value is less than or equal to the purse value from the card, and a control signal is thus gçnPr~tPd from microcontroller 700 to dispense the se!~octP-l item. In step 911, the purse value on the card is debited to reflect the transaction, again using either an instruction native to the particular type of smart card, or an equivalent sequence of instructions which performs the debit of a known purse value file. In step 912, the transaction is preferably ~ t~d and stored in nonvolatile memory 733 with a tim~st~mp generated from realtime clock 730. In step 913, the new (debited) purse value is displayed on display 732, and the card is ejected in step 914. One CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96/03636 of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many of the steps shown in FIG.9 can be simplified or eliminAte-l for the case where a photocopier (instead of a dispensing vending m~ehinto) is to be controlled.
Although not explicitly shown in the steps of FIG. 9, in various embotlim~3nt~ a trAn~Artion counter may be updated on the card to keep track of the total number of trAn~ctions. Additionally, a transaction control file may bestored on the smart card and updated to reflect that a particular transaction is "in progress" to prevent a transaction from being improperly aborted. Optional PIN
keypad 734 may be provided in order to force a user to enter a personal itlentification number {PIN) to authorize transactions above a certain pre~lPterminP-l limit (for example, $10). Finally, the user may press card ejectbutton 731 which will cause the current lldnsa-;lion to be aborted and the card returned to the user. This "abort" capability may be limited if a trAn~ctinn hasalready been substAntiAlly performed in order to prevent the recording of partial transactions.
In various embodiments, a separate nonvolatile memory 733 having write protection features may be used to store vending trAn~actiQns. This memory may be separate from nonvolatile memory 706 normally used to store application program 400 and related software.
Tlle trAn~Artinns stored in nonvolatile memory 733 may be extracted through various means, inrl~ in~ having a m~ oAI~re person or mArhin-o restocking person connect PC 710 through reprogram control circuit jack 709, or through UART 707. This activity would be analogous to removing the money from the mAehine.
An automatic scheme such as a " store and fol ~id " approach may alternatively be used to transmit transactions from memory 733 to an external conl~uLel. For example, a program rxec~lting in microcontroller 700 could automAtic~lly initiate a data cc.. l.~ir~tion session with an external collll~uL~l such as over a telephone line or network to transmit transactions at a particular CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W 096/30857 PCTnUS96/03636 time, such as mirlnight of every day.
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE KIOSK
The intelligent card reader of the present invention may be employed in a "public" kiosk similar to an ATM type device. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the intelligent card reader employed in such a configuration. Microcontroller1000, smart card acceptor 1001, and UART 1007 (along with their related circuitry not shown in FIG. 10) are the same as similarly numbered elements in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7. The configuration additionally includes a col."~u~l 1050 including a touch screen display and/or a keyboard 1051. The components shown in FIG. 10 can be packaged into a case (not shown) suitable for pl~rern~ntin a public location such as a shopping mall, library, bank, or the like.
ColllyuleL 1050 can be conn~qctecl to a network such as a banking network to perform various transactions in conjunction with smart card 1015. An application program e~c~c~lting on colllyulel 1050 may extract information from and provide information to smart card 1015 through microcontroller 1000.
Allelll~Li~ely~ a "private" kiosk may be provided by combining the components into a suitable casing which can be plugged into an available RS-232 port on a PC. In this manner, individual col~ulllers may purchase an off-the-shelf intelligent card reader which can be conn~octe(l to their PC at home.
Various other configurations are possible, such as a "disk bay" configuration which allows the components to be inserted into a standard PC-type disk slot.
Alternatively, a PCMCIA type configuration is possible, including the use of a commercially available adapter which accepts both microprocessor-equipped smart cards and PCMCIA cards. Such an adapter can be installed in a PC to allow the use of various features of the present invention.
MULTI-MACHINE CONTROLLER
A multi-m~rhin~ controller embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11. This configuration allows a single smart card reader to control multiple m~rhin~s such as washing m~t~hintos, photocopiers, or the like. The CA 022l70~2 l997-09-30 W 096/308S7 PCTnUS96/03636 embodiment shown in FIG. 11 may be implemented as a variation on the vending machine embodiment previously described with lerclcnce to FIG. 7 and thus similar details are generally omitted from FIG. 11 for clarity.
The most salient dirrclcnces between the vending m~rhinP embodiment S of FIG. 7 and the multi-m~c~hinP- controller embodiment of FIG. 11 are asfollows. A m~rhinP decoder and controller 1161 controls a plurality of machines, such as washing machines and dryers or the like, in response to comm~n-lc generated by microcontroller 1100. Controller 1161 may control these devices over connections 1170 which may comprise hardwired lines, in-circuit lines (e.g., using RF control technology over existing electrical wiring), or even wirelessly using spread spectrum or other wireless means.
After inserting smart card 1115, steps similar to those shown in FIG. 9 may be pclfv~ ed to display the current purse value on display 1132 and ensure that enough value remains on the card to ~clrOllll an operation such as enablinga washing m~rhinP. The user then selects a device (e.g., specifies which washing m~rhinP will be used) using device keypad 1160, and m~rhinP decoder and controller 1161 then enables that particular device. Each device may be enabled either for a particular period of time, or for one "cycle".
CARD ~ITIALIZATION
Various embo~ of the present invention assume that each smart card which is inserted into a reader has already been programmed with applv~ lc information such as the crediting of values to an electronic purse, and the establishment of various files for performing various transactions. The following briefly explains one possible method of inhi~li7ing each smart card such that itcan be used in the intelligent card readers of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows various steps which may be used to initi~li7P a smart card from a cv~ uLcr having a card progr~mmin~ capability (a variation of the presentintelligent card reader coupled to a PC could be used). Beginning in step 1201, the card production agent (i.e., the person controlling the card initi~li7~tion CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTn~G~3636 process) is ~nth~onti~ted, such as by ellLt;l Ulg a PIN and/or inserting a smart card having an access control code. In step 1202, the "blank" smart card is inserted into the progr~mming device. In step 1203, a card file structure, which may be identical for a particular site such as a college campus, is retrieved from a ~l~t~h~e.
One possible file structure is shown in FIG. 13. A master key file 1301 is used to store encryption/decryption keys used for securely commnnic~ting withan intelligent card reader or other entities. A card production data flle 1302 is used to hold information idenliryillg the specific smart card (date of production, card ty-pe, memory size, etc.). A directory 1303 may be used to hold a list of the ~files and their locations in memory on the card. Tdentifir~tion data file 1304 may be used to store information pertaining to the particular card holder such as name, address, social security number, and the like. Vendor card emulation data files 1305 may be used to hold access control codes, meal plan identifir~tion account numbers, library account illrollllation, and the like, in order to em~ te exi~ting bar code, Wiegand effect, and m~gn--tir stripe cards. Stored value files 1306 contain the electronic purse value, transaction files, and other information related to a stored value application such as for the vending m~rhin.- application.
Bank files 1307 may be used to store bank account infc,lll,ation such as ~~h.oc~ing accounts, savings accounts, credit card ~connt~ and the like. Other application files 1308 may also be provided as n~eclecl The particular file structure shown in FIG. 13 may be different for a particular site (such as a college campus siteor a co,l,pany-wide site). Thus, it will be recognized that many variations are of course possible, the particular file ~L,u~;lu,e being selected to be compatible with the particular applications as n.oeded The use of multiple purses on the same card is also possible, such that one electronic purse is used for vending m~(~hin~ transactions, while a different purse is used for a cafete,ia plan. These multiple purses could be implemente~l in different files if the particular vendor-supplied smart card does not directly CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96/30857 PCTrUS96/03636 support multiple purses.
Referring again to FIG. 12, in step 1203 the file structure for the particular site is retrieved from a database. The file structure shown in FIG. 13 is one example of such a file structure. In step 1204, the particular files included in the file structure are created on the smart card, using a~pio~liate file comm~ntls for the particular smart card. For those smart cards which do not directly support file-based comm~ntlc, or which do not allow files to be directly created by name, ay~lo~liate substitutions can be provided. For example, a convention can be adopted wherein the first file on the card cO~ es the master key file, and the second file on the card constitutes the card production data, and so on. Similarly, dirrel~:nces among record structures can be overcome through app~upliate data structure conventions.
In step 1205, the user data relating to the card holder for whom the smart card is intended may be retrieved from a database or m~ml~lly input through a keyboard. This information could include personal illrollllation such as date ofbirth, address, student itlentifir~tion number, and the like, as well as a list of applications for which the card holder is authorized (such as an access control application, stored value application, and/or a meal plan). Additionally, any encryption keys needed for securely cull..l.u~ ting with a card reader or other device are retrieved. Finally, in step 1206, the aL,~lo~liate files on the smartcard are populated with the retrieved data. If the user has already paid a predetermined amount of money for vending m~rhin~ use, this amount of money may be stored into the stored value electronic purse file to install "cash" on the card.
It is apparent that multiple applications may exist on the same smart card, such that where previously a card holder needed many different types of cards to perform functions such as access control, meal plans, library functions, and vending m~-~.hinf~ operations, a single card can be provided which allows the user to access all of these functions. Additional applications can be added to an CA 022170~2 1997-09-30 W O 96130857 PCTtUS96tO3636 already-issued smart card by following steps similar to those outlined above.
It is apl,a-cllL that many mo~lifi~-~tions and variations of the present invention are possible, and .cferellces to specific values are by example only.
The method steps of the invention may be practiced in a different ordered sequence from that illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention.
It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

-28- 1. An intelligent card reader, comprising:
a card acceptor for accepting a microprocessor-equipped smart card, said card acceptor comprising an I/O terminal for supplying data from said smart card;
an output terminal for providing signals to an external computer; and converting means, operatively coupled between said I/O terminal and said output terminal, for reading a data item from said smart card through said I/O
terminal, converting said data item into a signal format compatible with said external computer, and outputting said converted data item to said output terminal.
2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein said output terminal comprises a pair of wires, and wherein said converting means converts said data item into pulses on said pair of wires compatible with a Wiegand effect signal.
3. The card reader according to claim 2, wherein said converting means comprises a microcontroller, and wherein each of said pair of wires is coupled to an I/O pin on said microcontroller.
4. The card reader according to claim 2, wherein said data item comprises an access code for opening a door, and wherein said pulses control said external computer to unlock said door.
5. The card reader according to claim 2, wherein said output terminal comprises a wire for receiving a confirmation signal from said external computer, wherein said converting means energizes an indicator device in response to receiving said confirmation signal.
6. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein said output terminal comprises a pair of wires, and wherein said converting means converts said data item into clock and data streams compatible with a magnetic stripe card signal and transmits said clock and data streams over said pair of wires.

7. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein said converting means comprises a microcontroller, and wherein each of said pair of wires is coupled to an I/O pin on said microcontroller.
8. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein said data item comprises a meal plan account number, and wherein said clock and data streams control said external computer to authorize a meal purchase.
9. The card reader according to claim 6, wherein said data item comprises an access code, and wherein said clock and data streams control said external computer to authorize entry through a door.
10. The card reader according to claim 1, further comprising means, coupled to said output terminal, for transmitting a stream of ASCII characters compatible with a scanning type bar code device, wherein said converting means converts said data item into said stream of ASCII characters.
11. The card reader according to claim 10, wherein said data item comprises a library account identifier.
12. The card reader according to claim 1, further comprising means, coupled to said output terminal, for transmitting a stream of bits compatible with a wand-type bar code device, wherein said converting means converts said data item into said stream of bits.
13. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein said converting means comprises a microcontroller, said card reader further comprising:
a memory for storing computer programs to be executed by said microcontroller to perform said reading and converting functions; and a reprogramming control circuit, operatively coupled to said microcontroller, for booting said microcontroller into a mode which allows different computer programs to be loaded into said memory from an external computer.
14. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein said converting means comprises means for determining what type of smart card has been inserted into said card acceptor on the basis of answer-to-reset data received from said smartcard and, responsive to said determination, setting software pointers specific to the functions supported by that type of smart card.
15. An intelligent card reader, comprising:
a card acceptor for accepting a microprocessor-equipped smart card and for supplying information from said smart card;
memory means comprising an application program, a set of generic smart card functions executable by said application program and applicable to a plurality of different types of smart cards, a first set of specific smart card functions applicable to a first type of smart card, and a second set of specificsmart card functions applicable to a second type of smart card; and a microcontroller, operatively coupled between said card acceptor and said memory means, for reading said information from said smart card, determining whether said smart card corresponds to said first type or said second type, and,responsive to said determination, coupling said set of generic smart card functions to one of said first and second sets of specific smart card functions.16. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said first set of specific smart card functions allows files on said smart card to be referenced by name, and wherein said second set of specific smart card functionsdoes not allow files on said smart card to be referenced by name.
17. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said first set of specific smart card functions comprises a function which differs in its implementation from a corresponding function in said second set of specific smart card functions, and wherein said generic set of smart card functions hides said difference in implementation from said application program.
18. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said first set of specific smart card functions comprises at least one function which requires the execution of two or more functions in said second set of specific smart cardfunctions to accomplish the same result, and wherein said generic set of smart card functions executes said two or more functions in said second set of specific smart card functions when said second set of functions has been coupled but onlyexecutes said at least one function when said first set of specific smart card functions has been coupled.
19. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said information comprises answer-to-reset data supplied by said smart card in response to a reset signal generated by said microcontroller, and wherein said microcontroller makes said determination by extracting vendor information from a historical portion of said answer-to-reset data.
20. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said application program comprises an access control application which reads an access control file from said smart card, extracts an access code therefrom, andsupplies said access code to an external device.
21. The intelligent card reader according to claim 20, further comprising means for converting said access code into a signal compatible with a Wiegand effect reader and transmitting said signal to said external device.
22. The intelligent card reader according to claim 20, further comprising means for converting said access code into a signal compatible with a magnetic stripe reader and transmitting said signal to said external device.
23. The intelligent card reader according to claim 20, further comprising means for converting said access code into a signal compatible with a bar code reader and transmitting said signal to said external device.
24. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, further comprising means coupled to said microcontroller for controlling a vending machine, and wherein said application program comprises means for extracting a purse value from said smart card, displaying said purse value on a display unit coupled to said microcontroller, determining whether said purse value is sufficient to operate said vending machine, and, responsive to a determination that said purse value is sufficient to operate said vending machine, controlling said vending machine to dispense an item.
25. The intelligent card reader according to claim 24, further comprising a transaction storage memory, wherein said application program further comprises means for storing an encrypted transaction in said transaction storagememory corresponding to said dispensed item.
26. The intelligent card reader according to claim 24, said application program further comprising means for, responsive to a determination that said purse value is not sufficient to operate said vending machine, generating an error message for display on said display unit, and means for ejecting said smart cardfrom said card acceptor.
27. The intelligent card reader according to claim 25, further comprising means coupled to said microcontroller for reading out transactions stored in said transaction storage memory.
28. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, further comprising:
a computer having a touch-screen display; and means for coupling said microcontroller to said computer, wherein said application program communicates with a second application program executing on said computer.
29. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, further comprising:
a machine decoder and controller, coupled to said microcontroller, for selectively enabling one of a plurality of machines; and a device keypad, coupled to said microcontroller, for allowing a user to select one of said plurality of machines;
wherein said application program comprises means for extracting a purse value from said smart card, displaying said purse value on a display unit coupled to said microcontroller, determining whether said purse value is sufficient to operate one of said machines, and, responsive to a determination that said pursevalue is sufficient to operate one of said machines, controlling said machine decoder and controller to enable the selected machine.
30. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said application program comprises means for reading a library account code from said smart card, converting said library account code into a signal compatible with a bar code reader, and transmitting said signal to an external computer.
31. The intelligent card reader according to claim 15, wherein said application program comprises means for reading a meal plan account code from said smart card, converting said meal plan account code into a signal compatiblewith a magnetic stripe reader, and transmitting said signal to an external computer.
32. A method of interfacing a microprocessor-equipped smart card to a computer system which communicates with a peripheral device not equipped to support said smart card, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing, in place of said peripheral device, a card reader which accepts said microprocessor-equipped smart card;
(b) inserting said smart card into said card reader;
(c) from said card reader, reading a data item from said smart card;
(d) in said card reader, converting said data item into a signal having a format compatible with said peripheral device; and (e) transmitting said signal from said card reader to said computer system.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein step (d) comprises the step of converting said data item into a plurality of pulses compatible with a Wiegand effect signal.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein step (d) comprises the step of converting said data item into a plurality of pulses compatible with a magnetic stripe card reader signal.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein step (d) comprises the step of converting said data item into a signal compatible with a bar code reader signal.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:
(f) from said computer system, comparing said signal with an access control code; and (g) responsive to a determination that said access control code matches said signal, unlocking a door.
37. The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:
(f) from said computer system, comparing said signal with a library account code; and (g) performing a book check-out transaction associated with said library account code.
38. The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:
(f) from said computer system, comparing said signal with a meal plan account code; and (g) performing a meal plan authorization transaction associated with said meal plan account code.
39. The method of claim 32, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of:
determining the type of smart card inserted;
on the basis of said determination, setting software pointers to functions specific to that type of smart card; and executing at least one of said functions specific to that type of smart card to read said data item.
40. A method of reading a microprocessor-equipped smart card, comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting said smart card into a card reader;
(b) from said card reader, determining the type of smart card inserted in step (a);
(c) on the basis of the determination in step (b), setting software pointers in said card reader to functions specific to the type of smart card inserted; and (d) executing in said card reader at least one of said functions specific to the inserted type of smart card.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:
issuing a reset signal to said smart card;
receiving answer-to-reset data from said smart card;
extracting historical information from the answer-to-reset data; and determining on the basis of the extracted historical information what type of card was inserted.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein step (c) comprises the step of setting software pointers to bind generic card-access functions to a vendor-specific set of card access functions.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein step (d) comprises the step of retrieving a data item from said smart card, the method further comprising the steps of:
(e) in said card reader, converting said retrieved data item into a signal compatible with an external computer; and (f) transmitting said signal to said external computer.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein step (e) comprises the step of converting said retrieved data item into a plurality of pulses compatible with aWiegand-effect signal.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein step (e) comprises the step of converting said retrieved data item into a plurality of pulses compatible with amagnetic card signal.
46. The method of claim 43, wherein step (e) comprises the step of converting said retrieved data item into a bar code signal.