---
name: "pcsc_scan"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pcsc-tools"
version: "1.7.5-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pcsc_scan"
---

# pcsc\_scan(1)

regularly scans every PC/SC readers connected to the host

## NAME

pcsc\_scan - regularly scans every PC/SC readers connected to the host

## SYNOPSIS

**pcsc\_scan \[***options***\]**

## DESCRIPTION

This manual page documents the **pcsc\_scan** command.

**pcsc\_scan** is a program that regularly scans every PC/SC readers connected to the host and display the status of the cards inserted in the readers.

The normal way to exit the program is to use Control-C.

When **pcsc\_scan** is started it asks **PC/SC layer** the list of available smart card readers. The list is printed. A sequence number is printed before each reader.

Example:\
  PC/SC device scanner\
  V 1.6.2 (c) 2001-2022, Ludovic Rousseau \<ludovic.rousseau@free.fr\>\
  Scanning present readers...\
  0: Gemalto PC Twin Reader

When a card is inserted in any reader some information is printed:

- date and time:

  Mon Oct  2 21:01:40 2023

- reader name:

  Reader 0: Gemalto PC Twin Reader

- card state and occurred event:

  Card state: Card inserted,

- ATR in case of card insertion:

  ATR: 3B 82 00 86 1E

- print an ATR analysis if the **ATR\_analysis** command is available:

   ATR: 3B 82 00 86 1E\
    \+ TS = 3B --\> Direct Convention\
    \+ T0 = 82, Y(1): 1000, K: 2 (historical bytes)\
      TD(1) = 00 --\> Y(i+1) = 0000, Protocol T = 0\
    \-----\
    \+ Historical bytes: 86 1E

## OPTIONS

- **-h**

  print help

- **-V**

  print version number

- **-n**

  do not print ATR analysis. Use this option if **ATR\_analysis** is not available for example.

- **-r**

  prints the list of readers and then exits.

- **-c**

  prints the list of cards and then exits.

- **-s**

  stress mode. Sends APDU commands to the card indefinitely (until the card or the reader is removed).

- **-t secs**

  specify time program should run, in seconds. The program will terminate when this time has passed.

- **-d**

  debug: prints what changed between .dwCurrentState and .dwEventState fields for each reader.

- **-p**

  Plug and Play: force the use of the "\\\\?PnP?\\Notification" specific reader.

## SEE ALSO

[**pcscd**(8)](/pcscd/8.md), **ATR\_analysis**(1)

## AUTHOR

Ludovic Rousseau \<ludovic.rousseau@free.fr\>