FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.7.0_40"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_40-b43)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 24.0-b56, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows [version 6.2.9200]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
The second call to the method javax.smartcardio.CardTerminals.list() of the default implementation throws an exception "javax.smartcardio.CardException: list() failed" caused by "sun.security.smartcardio.PCSCException: SCARD_E_SERVICE_STOPPED" when the card reader is unplugged, then plugged again after the first call of this method during the execution of the same Java process.

This problem should only occur with Windows 8.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1) Requirements: Windows 8 and a PC/SC compatible smartcard reader
2) Plug the smart card reader to the worsktation
3) Start the executable test case
4) Unplug, then plug again the smart card reader
5) Press 'Enter' on the keyboard : an exception is thrown.


EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
On step 5, the application should print "Number of terminals: 1"
ACTUAL -
An exception is thrown: javax.smartcardio.CardException: list() failed

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
javax.smartcardio.CardException: list() failed
at sun.security.smartcardio.PCSCTerminals.list(PCSCTerminals.java:109)
at javax.smartcardio.CardTerminals.list(CardTerminals.java:55)
at DemoBug.getReaders(DemoBug.java:33)
at DemoBug.main(DemoBug.java:18)
Caused by: sun.security.smartcardio.PCSCException: SCARD_E_NO_READERS_AVAILABLE
at sun.security.smartcardio.PCSC.SCardListReaders(Native Method)
at sun.security.smartcardio.PCSCTerminals.list(PCSCTerminals.java:63)
... 3 more

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.InputStreamReader;
import java.util.List;
import javax.smartcardio.CardTerminal;
import javax.smartcardio.CardTerminals;
import javax.smartcardio.TerminalFactory;

public class DemoBug {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try {
            while (true) {
                getReaders();
                BufferedReader reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(System.in));
                System.out.println("Press enter to continue.");
                reader.readLine(); //wait until user press entesr

            }
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }

    public static void getReaders() throws Exception {
        try {
            TerminalFactory fac = TerminalFactory.getDefault();
            CardTerminals terminals = fac.terminals();
            List<CardTerminal> list = terminals.list();
            if (list != null) {
                System.out.println("Number of terminals: " + list.size());
            } else {
                System.out.println("List is null.");
            }
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Restart the application (new JVM).