For instance, >How to write OpenCard services for Java Card applets=by Thomas Schaeck with Rinaldo Di Giorgio describes an application that allows business card information to be stored, edited and exchanged between smart cards.
解答例
All the above approaches require user interaction in some way to facilitate the exchange of information.
An exchange of card details from two cards requires interaction from two users.
An exchange of card details for more than two cards requires multiple user interaction.
This can be inconvenient, especially for more than two exchanges and leaves room for user error.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of distributing smart card information comprising the steps of: acquiring electronic information from a first smart card; acquiring an electronic address from a second smart card; and sending the information from the first smart card to the electronic address of the second card.
This allows electronic information from one smart card to be sent to the electronic address contained on another smart card without the electronic address of the second smart card being manually entered by the card carrier.
This invention provides a low-cost low-effort solution by combining Smart Card technology, embedded systems and standard e-mail.
The individual's personal details are carried in an applet on a smart card device such as a Java Ring (TM) or IButton or traditional Smart Card.
Low-cost, network-attached readers are provided in locations where business cards are normally exchanged.
The act of inserting two Smart Card devices into the reader automatically starts up an application which reads the details (including the electronic addresses) from the two cards.
The application then e-mails the business card details of one participant to the e-mail address of the other, and vice versa.
Optionally, a mail agent at the recipient's mail server automatically files the business card details in the correct place.
Alternatively the recipient can file the e-mail in a special business contacts folder manually when next accessing his/her e-mail.
Advantageously the method also comprises the steps of: acquiring a further electronic address from the first card and acquiring further electronic information from the second card and sending the further business information to the further electronic address.
In this way an exchange of electronic information is enabled between two smart card carriers without manual entry of the electronic addresses.
This is particularly useful for business information of the type carried on a paper business card which may be stored in electronic form on the smart card.
The information and e-mail locations from the first and second smart cards may be acquired, on insertion of the first smart card into a first smart card reader and on insertion of the second smart card into a second smart card reader, by reading substantially simultaneously the first and second smart cards.
This allows a positive indication of which smart cards to exchange electronic information on.
Most advantageously the method comprises the step of acquiring yet a further electronic address and yet further business information from a third smart card and sending the yet further business information to the electronic address of the first and second smart cards and sending the business information of the first and second smart cards to the electronic address of the third smart card.
In this way an exchange of business information between three parties is enabled without manual entry of the electronic addresses.
This method may also be extended to more than three parties.
The information and e-mail locations may be acquired, on insertion of the first smart card into a smart card reader, by reading the first smart card, and on removal of the first smart card and insertion of the second smart card into the same smart card reader, by reading the second smart card.
This allows minimum apparatus requirements to be used for the invention through the use of a single smart card reader.
The reading of the first smart card and subsequent reading of the second smart card may be done within a defined time period.
The time period may be indicated by a visual or audible signal.
The method may further acquire further electronic information and electronic address from a further smart card for exchange of information between multiple parties by removing the previous smart card and inserting the further smart card into the same card reader.
The further smart card should be inserted within the defined time period.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of distributing smart card information comprising the steps of: acquiring information from a first smart card; characterized by sending the information from the first smart card to an electronic address acquired from a second smart card.
Yet a further aspect of the invention provides apparatus for distributing smart card information comprising: means for acquiring electronic information from a first smart card; means for acquiring an electronic address from a second smart card; and means for sending the information from the first smart card to the electronic address of the second card.
