# US 8,146,832 B2 · Answer to reset (ATR) pushing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,146,832 B2 - Document ID: US8146832B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/754,145 - Filed: 2010-04-05 - Published: 2010-07-29 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-13 - Assignees: Research In Motion Limited - Inventors: Neil P. Adams; Herbert Anthony Little - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8146832B2 ## CPC - G06K 7/0008: {General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer} - G06K 7/10297: {arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 (cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00)} - G06K 17/0022: {arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device ("transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L)} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract A wireless-enabled smart card reader receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and transmits the ATR using a wireless communication link to a computing device without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. The computing device may cache the ATR and use it for subsequent communication sessions with the smart card. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for communicating an Answer to Reset (ATR) to a computing device by a smart card reader, the method comprising: powering on a smart card when the smart card is coupled to the smart card reader and there is no established wireless communication link between the computing device and the smart card reader; receiving the ATR at the smart card reader from the smart card; caching the ATR at the smart card reader once received from the smart card following powering on the smart card; and transmitting the ATR from the smart card reader using a wireless communication link to the computing device without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the ATR from the smart card reader to the computing device occurs when a wireless communication link is established between the computing device and the smart card reader, and the smart card is coupled to the smart card reader. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: powering off the smart card following caching the ATR at the smart card reader; and caching the ATR at the smart card reader as long as the smart card remains coupled to the smart card reader. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the ATR from the smart card reader to the computing device comprises: transmitting the ATR from the smart card reader along with an indication that the smart card is coupled to the smart card reader. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. ### Claim 6 A method at a computing device, the method comprising: receiving at the computing device an Answer to Reset (ATR) of a smart card via a wireless communication link from a smart card reader; and caching the ATR in a cache of the computing device, wherein receiving the ATR from the smart card reader occurs without the computing device having transmitted an ATR request to the smart card reader. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: retrieving the ATR from the cache of the computing device in order to begin a communications session with the smart card. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the wireless communication link is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. ### Claim 9 A device comprising: a wireless communication interface through which the device is able to communicate with a computing device; a processor coupled to the wireless communication interface; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory being able to store code which, when executed by the processor, receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and pushes the ATR to the computing device via the wireless communication interface without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further comprising: a cache to store the ATR. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises smart card reader functionality. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication interface is compatible with a communication protocol based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. ### Claim 13 A system for communicating messages comprising: a first device compatible with at least one wireless communication protocol; and a second device that includes smart card reader functionality, the second device comprising: a wireless communication interface compatible with at least the wireless communication protocol; a processor coupled to the wireless communication interface; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory able to store code which, when executed by the processor, receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and transmits the ATR to the first device via the wireless communication interface without waiting for the first device to request the ATR. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the first device comprises a cache to store the ATR. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the second device comprises a cache to store the ATR. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication protocol is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a computing device, result in: caching an Answer to Reset (ATR) of a smart card in a cache of the computing device upon receipt of the ATR via a wireless communication link from a smart card reader, wherein receipt of the ATR from the smart card reader occurs without the computing device having transmitted an ATR request to the smart card reader. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing device, further result in: retrieving the ATR from the cache in order to begin a communications session with the smart card.