PrehKeyTec - Keyboard Modules


PrehKeyTec - SmartCard Module "CardMan"

Installation Notes - Feb. 2013
  1. General information
  2. Installing the PC/SC Driver
  3. Optional Add-On: CT-API
  4. Optional Add-On: Synchronous API
  5. Test and sample programms

1. General information

The following CardMan smart card read/write models can be integrated in the MCI series keyboards and also in the MC147:

Please use our product code to indentify the CardMan model inside your keyboard. You will find it on the label on the bottom of your keyboard.
Example: MC147 C2 A06 M3 S3... - indicates an integrated CardMan 3121 (USB).

The CardMan smart card read/write (SCR) modules integrated in our keyboards basically support the PC/SC interface of Microsoft operating systems. Below you will find instructions and notes to install the drivers and additional software.

Drivers, tools and additional information about the CardMan are available in the Download area on the Omnikey (HIDGlobal) website.

Important Notes:


In the following chapters we want to give some basic steps for installing the drivers. Please refer to the original readme files included in these packages for detailled instructions and latest information.

Upon the PC/SC layer optional software interfaces can be installed in addition, such as the CT-API interface or the SynchronousAPI. But this depends on your application and on the card type you're using. You might have to install several driver layers to get the whole thing running. Basically start with the PC/SC layer and then refer to your application's documentation, if for example CT-API or Synchronous API has to be installed in addition to that.


2. Installing the PC/SC Drivers

a) USB CardMan models 3121 (S3) and 3e20 (S1)

Windows 98/ME/2000/XP etc.

b) RS232 CardMan model 3e10 (S2)

Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

3. Optional Add-On: CT-API

The CT API is a software interface which simplifies the communication with smartcards. In the directory of this setup program you can find a Windows help file which contains detailed information about this CT-API. Currently it is only available in English.

CT-API Installation - Windows 98/NT4.0/ME/2000/XP etc.

Please note:
Unfortunately there is no more direct link to the CT-API package on the Omnikey driver page for the Cardman models 3e10/3e20. Just use the CT-API link of some other models, for example those of CardMan 3121.


4. Optional Add-On: Synchronous API

The SynchronousAPI add-on is helpful if you want to use synchronous smart cards (memory cards). PC/SC basically does not provide this features as it only handles asynchronous cards. All the necessary information about the usage will be found in the online help "cmsync.hlp" included in the driver package.

SynchronousAPI Installation - Windows 98/NT4.0/ME/2000/XP etc.

Please note:
Unfortunately there is no more direct link to Synchronous API package on the Omnikey driver page for the Cardman models 3e10/3e20 . Just use the Synchronous API link of some other models, for example those of CardMan 3121.


5. Diagnostic Tool and Samples

Diagnostic Tool

For latest drivers, the diagnostic tool is no longer integrated in the PC/SC driver. It can now be downloaded and installed separately. When inserting a smart card the Diagnostic Tool displays information about this card (ATR, protocol and the corresponding card type). In addition some basic information about the CardMan device are also displayed. This Tool can be used for a functional tests of proper installation of the PC/SC driver and the CardMan hardware itself.

Samples for CT-API

Please see subdirectories .\Tools and .\Development in the installation folders. Further information on the CT-API functions are available by a Windows help file.

Samples for Synchronous API

Extensive information how to use the synchronous API will be installed in subdirectories on c:\Omnikey\
The online help describes the functions of this API: c:\Omnikey\hlp\cmsync.hlp
The samples you will find in the subdirectories of "c:\Omnikey\Samples" - for example start with ReadMemory -or- VBSample.


If you have any problems during installation or operation of your keyboard and the modules, we of course like to help you.
Please include the complete content of the product label under your keyboard and also some information about operating system, etc. in your support request email to support@prehkeytec.de