Abstract: Rather than storing all data in the same manner, e.g., an encrypted manner, a security level with which to associate received data of a given type may be determined. Subsequently, distinct types of data may be stored in a distinct manner, with the manner of storage having a security level appropriate to the type of data. For example, a first type of data may be stored in an encrypted manner (i.e., with a high level of security), while a second level of data may be stored in a plain text manner (i.e., with a low level of security).

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices. The SCR comprises: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; and a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices.

Abstract: A reader element is associated with an identity verification element. The reader element has a biometric input device and is configured, through enrollment of a biometric element is used to encrypt a character sequence associated with the identity verification element. In a verification phase subsequent to the enrollment, a user may be spared a step of providing the character sequence by, instead, providing the biometric element. Responsive to receiving the biometric element, the reader element may decrypt the character sequence and provide the character sequence to the identity verification element.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a biometric template extracted a smart card for use on a user computing device. The biometric template is extracted from the smart card using a smart card reader. The biometric template is encrypted using a content protection key. The content protection key is encrypted using at least one of a device password or a smart card password. The password may be hashed. The encrypted biometric template, the encrypted content protection key and the hashed password may then be stored in a cache. A method for using the stored biometric template to access the user computer device is also provided.

Abstract: A device having a biometric input device is configured to allow a user to enter a character sequence for use in validation using the biometric input device. A predetermined assignment of characters to enrolled biometric templates allows a user to determine a sequence of biometric inputs to provide to enter an appropriate character sequence.

Abstract: Responsive to intercepting an outbound command, a command interceptor may, upon determining that the command is associated with a particular category of commands, transmit an anticipatory response to the source of the command, for example, to prematurely indicate that the command has met with success. Accordingly, a given application whose further execution is dependent upon the successful completion of the command may further execute earlier than would be the case if the given application was to await the transmission of the command, the generation of a response indicating success and the receipt of the response indicating success.

Abstract: A smart card reader is adapted to extract and store authentication data from a response APDU received from a smart card before generating a filtered response APDU, wherein the filtered response APDU does not include the authentication data. Beneficially, when the smart card reader transmits the filtered response APDU toward a destination, the biometric template data is less susceptible to interception, thereby providing a more secure solution.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card. The computer device includes a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader. The reader sends multiple commands based on the state of the smart card prior to receiving the commands.

Abstract: By splitting a smart card driver into multiple components, with one component residing on the mobile communication device and another component residing on the smart card reader, the smart card reader driver component is enabled to do more than merely relay communication between the mobile communication device and the smart card. By transferring part of the communication handling of the smart card driver to the smart card reader, a reduction in communication over the connection between the smart card reader and mobile communication device advantageously results in a more efficient transaction.

Abstract: A method of facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card, the computer device including a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader, the method comprising: receiving from the smart card resource manager a first command for setting a protocol for communications with the smart card; and responding, prior to receiving a reply from the smart card to the first command, to the smart card resource manager with a message indicating that the smart card has successfully received the first command.

Abstract: Communications between a computing device and a smart card reader configured for communication with a smart card are facilitated through the use, by the computing device, of a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service. The smart card reader service acts as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader. Appropriate configuration of the smart card reader service obviates a redundant downloading of certificates from smart card to computing device subsequent to loss of a connection between the computing device and the smart card reader. However, upon re-establishing a previously lost connection to a smart card reader and determining that a communication link between a smart card and the smart card reader has been ended and reestablished during the loss of connection, the smart card reader service may indicate to the smart card resource manager that smart card is absent and, subsequently, that the smart card is present.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card. The computer device includes a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader.

Abstract: Users of a computer are prevented from directly accessing certain hardware for which a driver is installed on the computer. The users are provided a limited, indirect manner to access the hardware for a specific purpose or to do a specific job. One example of such hardware is a wireless hardware communication interface. The wireless activity of the computer may be restricted so that the wireless hardware communication interface is prevented from communicating with any devices compatible with the wireless hardware communication interface other than one or more specific devices.

Abstract: A user interface manager acts to cache state information and thread information provided to it by user interface modules, before the user interface modules cease execution. When a new user interface module commences execution, or the old user interface module recommences execution, the user interface module may request, from the user interface manager, the cached state information and thread information.

Abstract: A user interface manager, interposed between a Windows service and user interface modules that communicate with the Windows service in distinct system status scenarios, can record interaction between the Windows service and each of the user interface modules. The recorded interaction, along with information collected from the user interface modules, can be used in conjunction so that user interaction with a first one of the user interface modules may continue with a second one of the user interface modules after a switch from one system status (e.g., logged on) to another system status (e.g., locked). Alternatively, responsive to the switch from one system status to another system status the user interface manager may simply stop the executing user interface module so that the interaction may be started over in the new system status.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices. The SCR comprises: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; and a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing multicast routing using a network cluster. A cluster master actively participates in multicast control protocol communications with the cluster neighbors, while non-master member nodes, do not participate in the protocols' operation outside of the cluster. However, each cluster member maintains virtually the same protocol state, such that should the master become unavailable, another cluster member may assume the master role with minimum delay. New members to the cluster are synchronized by receiving initial protocol state information from the master. After the initial protocol state synchronization, cluster members actively monitor the network to acquire new protocol state information. In addition, cluster members exchange protocol state information between themselves that may not be obtainable off the network. Filtering of multicast data packets is performed by each cluster member, to load balance multicast data traffic across the cluster members.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital signal processor includes look ahead logic to decrease the number of bubbles inserted in the processing pipeline. The processor receives data containing instructions in a plurality of buffers and decodes the size of a first instruction. The beginning of a second instruction is determined based on the size of the first instruction. The size of the second instruction is decoded and the processor determines whether loading the second instruction will deplete one of the plurality of buffers.

Abstract: A programmable processor is adapted to detect exception conditions associated with one or more instructions before the instructions are executed. The detected exception conditions may be stored with the one or more instructions in a prefetch unit. Then, the exception conditions may be issued in parallel with the issuance of the instructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is directed towards managing fail-over in a network. At least one back-up device is configured to process traffic if a fail-over condition occurs. The back-up device includes a physical interface. A logical interface X associated with the physical interface is monitored to determine if the fail-over condition has occurred. If it is determined that the fail-over condition has occurred on interface X, then the back-up device processes traffic for another logical interface Y, associated with the physical interface. Accordingly, logical interface Y may be unmonitored. According to one embodiment, if it is determined that the fail-over condition has occurred, the back-up device processes traffic for every logical interface associated with the physical interface.