(Excel) ScMinidriver - Acquire Context with Smart Card or USB Token

See more ScMinidriver Examples

Initializes communication with the card inserted in the given reader (or a USB token). Reader names can be discovered via the SCard.ListReaders or SCard.FindSmartcards methods. If successful, the Atr and CardName properties will be set.

Note: This functionality was introduced in Chilkat v9.5.0.87.

Note: The ScMinidriver functionality is for Windows-only because ScMinidriver DLLs only exist on Windows. In the next version, Chilkat will be releasing a Pkcs11 class to support Linux, MacOSX, and possibly other operating systems.

Download Excel Class Modules Chilkat Excel Class Modules

' This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
' See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

Dim scmd As Chilkat.ScMinidriver
Set scmd = Chilkat.NewScMinidriver

' Reader names (smart card readers or USB tokens) can be discovered
' via List Readers or Find Smart Cards

readerName = "Alcor Micro USB Smart Card Reader 0"

success = scmd.AcquireContext(readerName)
If (success = False) Then
    Debug.Print scmd.LastErrorText
    Exit Sub
End If

' If we are successful, the name of the currently inserted smart card is available:

cardName = scmd.CardName
Debug.Print "Card name: "; cardName

' Also, the ATR of the inserted card is available (you will likely not need the ATR).
Debug.Print "ATR: "; scmd.Atr

' Also, the maximum number of key containers is readily available:
Debug.Print "Max number of key containers = "; scmd.MaxContainers

' Delete the context when finished with the card.
success = scmd.DeleteContext()
If (success = False) Then
    Debug.Print scmd.LastErrorText
End If

' Sample output:

' Card name: IDPrime MD T=0
' ATR: 3B7F96000080318065B0855956FB120FFE829000
' Max number of key containers = 20