CkSCard Python Reference Documentation

CkSCard

Current Version: 9.5.0.98

A wrapper around the Resource Manager API of the PC/SC architecture for smart cards. On Windows it is a wrapper around the WinSCard functions implemented in the winscard.dll. On other systems (such as Linux) it is a wrapper around the same API implemented in pcsc-lite.so.

This class is introduced in Chilkat v9.5.0.87.

Object Creation

obj = chilkat.CkSCard()

Properties

ActiveProtocol
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_ActiveProtocol(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.activeProtocol();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

The name of the active protocol if connected smart card reader, or an empty string if not connected. Possible values are "T0", "T1", "raw", "undefined", or "" if not connected to a reader.

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CardAtr
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_CardAtr(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.cardAtr();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

This is the Current ATR of a card in the connected reader.

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ConnectedReader
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_ConnectedReader(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.connectedReader();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

The name of the currently connected smart card reader, or an empty string if not connected.

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Context
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_Context(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.context();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Contains the string "user" or "system" if this object has established a context (by calling EstablishContext). Contains the empty string if no context is established.

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DebugLogFilePath
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_DebugLogFilePath(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.debugLogFilePath();
sCard.put_DebugLogFilePath(strVal);

If set to a file path, causes each Chilkat method or property call to automatically append it's LastErrorText to the specified log file. The information is appended such that if a hang or crash occurs, it is possible to see the context in which the problem occurred, as well as a history of all Chilkat calls up to the point of the problem. The VerboseLogging property can be set to provide more detailed information.

This property is typically used for debugging the rare cases where a Chilkat method call hangs or generates an exception that halts program execution (i.e. crashes). A hang or crash should generally never happen. The typical causes of a hang are:

  1. a timeout related property was set to 0 to explicitly indicate that an infinite timeout is desired,
  2. the hang is actually a hang within an event callback (i.e. it is a hang within the application code), or
  3. there is an internal problem (bug) in the Chilkat code that causes the hang.

More Information and Examples
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LastErrorHtml
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_LastErrorHtml(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.lastErrorHtml();

Provides information in HTML format about the last method/property called. If a method call returns a value indicating failure, or behaves unexpectedly, examine this property to get more information.

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LastErrorText
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_LastErrorText(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.lastErrorText();

Provides information in plain-text format about the last method/property called. If a method call returns a value indicating failure, or behaves unexpectedly, examine this property to get more information.

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LastErrorXml
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_LastErrorXml(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.lastErrorXml();

Provides information in XML format about the last method/property called. If a method call returns a value indicating failure, or behaves unexpectedly, examine this property to get more information.

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LastMethodSuccess
# boolVal is a boolean
boolVal = sCard.get_LastMethodSuccess();
sCard.put_LastMethodSuccess(boolVal);

Indicate whether the last method call succeeded or failed. A value of True indicates success, a value of False indicates failure. This property is automatically set for method calls. It is not modified by property accesses. The property is automatically set to indicate success for the following types of method calls:

  • Any method that returns a string.
  • Any method returning a Chilkat object, binary bytes, or a date/time.
  • Any method returning a standard boolean status value where success = True and failure = False.
  • Any method returning an integer where failure is defined by a return value less than zero.

Note: Methods that do not fit the above requirements will always set this property equal to True. For example, a method that returns no value (such as a "void" in C++) will technically always succeed.

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PcscLibPath
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_PcscLibPath(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.pcscLibPath();
sCard.put_PcscLibPath(strVal);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

For Linux systems only. Specifies the full path of the libpcsclite.so shared lib. This property should only be used if the libpcsclite.so is in a non-standard location or if Chilkat cannot automatically located it.

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ReaderStatus
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_ReaderStatus(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.readerStatus();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

The current status of the connected reader. Possible values are:

  • "absent" - There is no card in the reader.
  • "present" - There is a card in the reader, but it has not been moved into position for use.
  • "swallowed" - There is a card in the reader in position for use. The card is not powered.
  • "powered" - Power is being provided to the card, but the reader driver is unaware of the mode of the card.
  • "negotiable" - The card has been reset and is awaiting PTS negotiation.
  • "specific" - The card has been reset and specific communication protocols have been established.

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ScardError
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_ScardError(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.scardError();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

The last error returned by an underlying PC/SC function. Can be one of the following:

  • "SCARD_W_REMOVED_CARD" - The smart card has been removed, so that further communication is not possible.
  • "SCARD_W_RESET_CARD" - The smart card has been reset, so any shared state information is invalid.
  • ...

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Utf8
# boolVal is a boolean
boolVal = sCard.get_Utf8();
sCard.put_Utf8(boolVal);

When set to True, all "const char *" arguments are interpreted as utf-8 strings. If set to False (the default), then "const char *" arguments are interpreted as ANSI strings. Also, when set to True, and Chilkat method returning a "const char *" is returning the utf-8 representation. If set to False, all "const char *" return values are ANSI strings.

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VerboseLogging
# boolVal is a boolean
boolVal = sCard.get_VerboseLogging();
sCard.put_VerboseLogging(boolVal);

If set to True, then the contents of LastErrorText (or LastErrorXml, or LastErrorHtml) may contain more verbose information. The default value is False. Verbose logging should only be used for debugging. The potentially large quantity of logged information may adversely affect peformance.

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Version
# strVal is a string
# ckStr is a CkString
sCard.get_Version(ckStr);
strVal = sCard.version();

Version of the component/library, such as "9.5.0.94"

More Information and Examples
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Methods

BeginTransaction
status = sCard.BeginTransaction();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Establishes a temporary exclusive access mode for doing a series of commands in a transaction.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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CheckStatus
status = sCard.CheckStatus();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Check the current status of the currently connected reader. Calling this method updates the ReaderStatus, ActiveProtocol, and CardAtr properties. If this method returns False, none of the properties are updated.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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Connect
# reader is a string
# shareMode is a string
# preferredProtocol is a string
status = sCard.Connect(reader, shareMode, preferredProtocol);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Establish a connection to a reader. The reader is the name of a reader returned from ListReaders. The shareMode can be "shared", "exclusive", or "direct". The preferredProtocol can be "0" (valid only if the shareMode = "direct"), "T0", "T1", "raw", or "no_preference". (No preference is effectively T0 or T1.)

If successful, the state of this object instance is that it's connected to the reader.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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Disconnect
# disposition is a string
status = sCard.Disconnect(disposition);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Terminates a connection with a reader. The disposition can be one of the following values:

  • "leave": Do nothing.
  • "reset": Reset the card (warm reset).
  • "unpower": Power down the card (cold reset).
  • "eject": Eject the card.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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EndTransaction
# disposition is a string
status = sCard.EndTransaction(disposition);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Ends a previously begun transaction. The disposition is the action to be taken on the reader, and can be "leave" which is to do nothing, "reset", "unpower", or "eject".

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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EstablishContext
# scope is a string
status = sCard.EstablishContext(scope);
Introduced in version 9.5.0.87

Creates an Application Context to the PC/SC Resource Manager. This must be the first WinSCard function called in a PC/SC application. The scope can be "user" or "system". After calling, this object will have context and all other methods will use the established context. The "Context" property will hold the value "user" or "system" if context was established, or will be empty if no context was established.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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FindSmartcards
# json is a CkJsonObject
status = sCard.FindSmartcards(json);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Returns JSON containing information about the smartcards currently inserted into readers.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

More Information and Examples
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GetAttrib
# attr is a string
# bd is a CkBinData
status = sCard.GetAttrib(attr, bd);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Get an attribute from the IFD Handler (reader driver).

The attr can be one of the following:

  • "ASYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "ATR_STRING"
  • "CHANNEL_ID"
  • "CHARACTERISTICS"
  • "CURRENT_BWT"
  • "CURRENT_CLK"
  • "CURRENT_CWT"
  • "CURRENT_D"
  • "CURRENT_EBC_ENCODING"
  • "CURRENT_F"
  • "CURRENT_IFSC"
  • "CURRENT_IFSD"
  • "CURRENT_IO_STATE"
  • "CURRENT_N"
  • "CURRENT_PROTOCOL_TYPE"
  • "CURRENT_W"
  • "DEFAULT_CLK"
  • "DEFAULT_DATA_RATE"
  • "DEVICE_FRIENDLY_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_IN_USE"
  • "DEVICE_SYSTEM_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_UNIT"
  • "ESC_AUTHREQUEST"
  • "ESC_CANCEL"
  • "ESC_RESET"
  • "EXTENDED_BWT"
  • "ICC_INTERFACE_STATUS"
  • "ICC_PRESENCE"
  • "ICC_TYPE_PER_ATR"
  • "MAX_CLK"
  • "MAX_DATA_RATE"
  • "MAX_IFSD"
  • "MAXINPUT"
  • "POWER_MGMT_SUPPORT"
  • "SUPRESS_T1_IFS_REQUEST"
  • "SYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "USER_AUTH_INPUT_DEVICE"
  • "USER_TO_CARD_AUTH_DEVICE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_SERIAL_NO"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_TYPE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_VERSION"
  • "VENDOR_NAME"

The attribute data is returned in bd.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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GetAttribStr
# attr is a string
# outStr is a CkString (output)
status = sCard.GetAttribStr(attr, outStr);
retStr = sCard.getAttribStr(attr);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Get a string typed attribute from the IFD Handler (reader driver).

The attr can be one of the following, but should be limited to the particular attributes that return string values.

  • "ASYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "ATR_STRING"
  • "CHANNEL_ID"
  • "CHARACTERISTICS"
  • "CURRENT_BWT"
  • "CURRENT_CLK"
  • "CURRENT_CWT"
  • "CURRENT_D"
  • "CURRENT_EBC_ENCODING"
  • "CURRENT_F"
  • "CURRENT_IFSC"
  • "CURRENT_IFSD"
  • "CURRENT_IO_STATE"
  • "CURRENT_N"
  • "CURRENT_PROTOCOL_TYPE"
  • "CURRENT_W"
  • "DEFAULT_CLK"
  • "DEFAULT_DATA_RATE"
  • "DEVICE_FRIENDLY_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_IN_USE"
  • "DEVICE_SYSTEM_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_UNIT"
  • "ESC_AUTHREQUEST"
  • "ESC_CANCEL"
  • "ESC_RESET"
  • "EXTENDED_BWT"
  • "ICC_INTERFACE_STATUS"
  • "ICC_PRESENCE"
  • "ICC_TYPE_PER_ATR"
  • "MAX_CLK"
  • "MAX_DATA_RATE"
  • "MAX_IFSD"
  • "MAXINPUT"
  • "POWER_MGMT_SUPPORT"
  • "SUPRESS_T1_IFS_REQUEST"
  • "SYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "USER_AUTH_INPUT_DEVICE"
  • "USER_TO_CARD_AUTH_DEVICE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_SERIAL_NO"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_TYPE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_VERSION"
  • "VENDOR_NAME"

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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GetAttribUint
# attr is a string
retInt = sCard.GetAttribUint(attr);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Get an unsigned integer typed attribute from the IFD Handler (reader driver).

The attr can be one of the following, but should be limited to the particular attributes that return unsigned integer values.

  • "ASYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "ATR_STRING"
  • "CHANNEL_ID"
  • "CHARACTERISTICS"
  • "CURRENT_BWT"
  • "CURRENT_CLK"
  • "CURRENT_CWT"
  • "CURRENT_D"
  • "CURRENT_EBC_ENCODING"
  • "CURRENT_F"
  • "CURRENT_IFSC"
  • "CURRENT_IFSD"
  • "CURRENT_IO_STATE"
  • "CURRENT_N"
  • "CURRENT_PROTOCOL_TYPE"
  • "CURRENT_W"
  • "DEFAULT_CLK"
  • "DEFAULT_DATA_RATE"
  • "DEVICE_FRIENDLY_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_IN_USE"
  • "DEVICE_SYSTEM_NAME"
  • "DEVICE_UNIT"
  • "ESC_AUTHREQUEST"
  • "ESC_CANCEL"
  • "ESC_RESET"
  • "EXTENDED_BWT"
  • "ICC_INTERFACE_STATUS"
  • "ICC_PRESENCE"
  • "ICC_TYPE_PER_ATR"
  • "MAX_CLK"
  • "MAX_DATA_RATE"
  • "MAX_IFSD"
  • "MAXINPUT"
  • "POWER_MGMT_SUPPORT"
  • "SUPRESS_T1_IFS_REQUEST"
  • "SYNC_PROTOCOL_TYPES"
  • "USER_AUTH_INPUT_DEVICE"
  • "USER_TO_CARD_AUTH_DEVICE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_SERIAL_NO"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_TYPE"
  • "VENDOR_IFD_VERSION"
  • "VENDOR_NAME"

Returns 0xFFFFFFFF on failure.

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GetStatusChange
# maxWaitMs is an integer
# stReaderNames is a CkStringTable
# json is a CkJsonObject
status = sCard.GetStatusChange(maxWaitMs, stReaderNames, json);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Blocks execution until the current availability of the cards in a specific set of readers changes.

This function receives a list of reader names in stReaderNames. It then blocks waiting for a change in state to occur for a maximum blocking time of maxWaitMs (in milliseconds) or forever if 0 is used.

Information about the current reader states and which reader(s) changed is returned in json. See the example below for more information.

To wait for a reader event (reader added or removed) you may use the special reader name "\\?PnP?\Notification".

To cancel the ongoing call, call Cancel().

The stReaderNames contains the reader names to check. The json is empty on input, and if the call returns success contains information about the state (after the event change) of each reader.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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GetStatusChangeAsync (1)
# returns a CkTask
# maxWaitMs is an integer
# stReaderNames is a CkStringTable
# json is a CkJsonObject
ret_task = sCard.GetStatusChangeAsync(maxWaitMs, stReaderNames, json);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Creates an asynchronous task to call the GetStatusChange method with the arguments provided. (Async methods are available starting in Chilkat v9.5.0.52.)

Returns None on failure

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GetStatusChangeCancel
status = sCard.GetStatusChangeCancel();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Cancels an ongoing GetStatusChange method call. This would be called from a separate thread in your application if GetStatusChange was called synchronously.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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ListReaderGroups
# readerGroups is a CkStringTable
status = sCard.ListReaderGroups(readerGroups);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Returns a list of currently available reader groups on the system. The reader groups are returned in readerGroups.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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ListReaders
# st is a CkStringTable
status = sCard.ListReaders(st);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Returns a list of currently available readers on the system.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

More Information and Examples
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Reconnect
# shareMode is a string
# preferredProtocol is a string
# action is a string
status = sCard.Reconnect(shareMode, preferredProtocol, action);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Reestablishes a connection to a reader that was previously connected to using Connect().

In a multi application environment it is possible for an application to reset the card in shared mode. When this occurs any other application trying to access certain commands will be returned the value SCARD_W_RESET_CARD. When this occurs Reconnect() must be called in order to acknowledge that the card was reset and allow it to change its state accordingly.

The shareMode can be "shared", "exclusive", or "direct". The preferredProtocol can be "0" (valid only if the shareMode = "direct"), "T0", "T1", "raw", or "no_preference". (No preference is effectively T0 or T1.) The action is the desired action taken on the card/reader. It can be "leave", "reset", "unpower", or "eject".

If successful, the state of this object instance is that it's connected to the reader.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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ReleaseContext
status = sCard.ReleaseContext();
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Destroys a communication context to the PC/SC Resource Manager. This must be the last function called in a PC/SC application.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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SendControl
# controlCode is an integer
# bdSend is a CkBinData
# bdRecv is a CkBinData
status = sCard.SendControl(controlCode, bdSend, bdRecv);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Sends a command directly to the IFD Handler (reader driver) to be processed by the reader.

This is useful for creating client side reader drivers for functions like PIN pads, biometrics, or other extensions to the normal smart card reader that are not normally handled by PC/SC.

The command data is sent in bdSend. The response is written to bdRecv.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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SendControlHex
# controlCode is an integer
# sendData is a string
# bdRecv is a CkBinData
status = sCard.SendControlHex(controlCode, sendData, bdRecv);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Sends a command directly to the IFD Handler (reader driver) to be processed by the reader.

This is useful for creating client side reader drivers for functions like PIN pads, biometrics, or other extensions to the normal smart card reader that are not normally handled by PC/SC.

The command data is provided as a hex string in sendData. The response is written to bdRecv.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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Transmit
# protocol is a string
# bdSend is a CkBinData
# bdRecv is a CkBinData
# maxRecvLen is an integer
status = sCard.Transmit(protocol, bdSend, bdRecv, maxRecvLen);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Sends an APDU to the smart card contained in the currently connected reader. The protocol can be "T0", "T1", or "raw". The APDU to be sent is contained in bdSend. The response from the card is contained in bdRecv. The maxRecvLen is the maximum response size (in bytes) willing to be accepted.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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TransmitHex
# protocol is a string
# apduHex is a string
# bdRecv is a CkBinData
# maxRecvLen is an integer
status = sCard.TransmitHex(protocol, apduHex, bdRecv, maxRecvLen);
Introduced in version 9.50.87

Sends an APDU to the smart card contained in the currently connected reader. The protocol can be "T0", "T1", or "raw". The APDU (in hexadecimal) to be sent is passed in apduHex. The response from the card is contained in bdRecv. The maxRecvLen is the maximum response size (in bytes) willing to be accepted.

Returns True for success, False for failure.

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