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List:       ms-smartcardddk
Subject:    Re: PS/2-keyboard connected reader
From:       Vladimir Beker <bwz () ARX ! COM>
Date:       1999-03-22 17:32:22
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Klaus,
First of all, thank you for quick response.
Now, to the issue: the point is that our company produces smartcard reader
connected to the keyboard port for years.
Note: we produce neither PC nor keyboard, only the reader itself. 
I cannot say that we had no problems with this idea, but most of them were
solved, the rest we kept for the currently designed version.
This reader is not PC/SC-compatible (neither API-level, nor communication
layer). BTW, that's one of the reasons we develop a new version.
I have no problems (I hope to provide PC/SC API level). My idea was to save
dramaticaly the effort by using existing communication layer for NT. Is it
possible with NT 5.0? 
If not - there maybe another way: if Microsoft is still interesting in this
idea - we could try to discuss the necessary changes in definition of the
protocol (combining your knowledge and our experience in this theme) and to
create a new driver. For instance, we had some ideas about combining
smartcard-related data and keystrokes inputed by user.
I may belive that the final solution still may not work on some computers -
too bad for me (since for me it is a driver), maybe acceptable for Microsoft
(if this is only the sample), but for most of the market it is still cheaper
than replace the entire PC with PC that contains smartcard reader.
If it is interesting for you, please contact me directly - bwz@arx.com
If not - how can I get all these messages from archive

Thank you very much
Vladimir Beker
Project Leader
Algorithmic Research Ltd

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Klaus Schutz [SMTP:kschutz@MICROSOFT.COM]
> Sent: ב 22 מרץ 1999 19:05
> To:   SmartCardDDK@DISCUSS.MICROSOFT.COM
> Subject:      Re: PS/2-keyboard connected reader
> 
> Vladimir,
> 
> due to several problems related to a PS/2 implementation,
> Microsoft dropped the idea of a PS/2 connected smart card
> reader. Please, browse through the archive for related
> material.
> 
> I attached one of these archived messages.
> 
> Klaus U. Schutz
> Microsoft
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Klaus Schutz (Exchange)
> Sent: Friday, October 30, 1998 9:27 AM
> To: 'SmartCardDDK@DISCUSS.MICROSOFT.COM'
> Cc: 'marko.larooy@intersolve-tech.com'
> Subject: RE: Keyboard IFD
> 
> 
> Marko,
> 
> the main h/w problem is, that mouse, keyboard and smart card data got
> mixed.
> In other words, smart card data coming from the keyboard line generated
> mouse interrupts on the host side. This behavior was clearly machine
> dependent.
> Some machines did not have this problem.
> (Please keep in mind that the keyboard interface was NEVER designed for
> high
> data rates)
> In addition, a user would normally continue to write/type while there is
> smart card data going over the line. We had problems with loosing keyboard
> key strokes. With long transmissions, this problem was even worse.
> The is especially annoying when you loose the break code for ctrl, alt or
> shift.
> 
> The software problem you will get under Windows 9x is, that the keyboard
> driver is not designed to queue data that you want to send from the PC
> to the keyboard (e.g. to turn the caps lock led on/off). When you send
> data TO the smart card you should better prevent the keyboard driver from
> sending data to the keyboard. This is no problem under NT, since NT uses
> queuing mechanisms, but Windows 9x does not.
> 
> And so on and so on...
> 
> Regarding the recommendation of this model in PC/SC: The documents were
> written at a time when nobody was aware of the implementation
> problems. Again, when you deliver the kbd/smart card reader AND the PC,
> you
> can solve the h/w problems, since you can modify whatever is necessary to
> get this working. Siemens / Nixdorf is an example that this CAN work.
> But they deliver both components.
> 
> Klaus U. Schutz
> Microsoft
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vladimir Beker [mailto:bwz@ARX.COM]
> Sent: Monday, March 22, 1999 8:04 AM
> To: SmartCardDDK@DISCUSS.MICROSOFT.COM
> Subject: PS/2-keyboard connected reader
> 
> 
> There was a source of smartcard reader-aware keyboard driver in NT 4.0 DDK
> (to support readers, connected to the PS/2 keyboard).
> I don't find it in NT5.0 DDK.
> Is this idea still relevant?
> Who is the best contact point in this issue
> Vladimir Beker

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