Abstract:
A method and apparatus for managing applications installed on a smartcard. The invention comprises a Smartcard Management Program (SMP), a User Action Program (UAP), a User Command Program (UCP), an Application Status Update Program (ASUP), and a Card Status Update Program (CSUP). The SMP interfaces with smartcard communications system and accepts the user commands. The UAP obtains applications from external sources, updates the user profile, and transmits the user profile to the user for viewing on a graphical user interface. The UCP breaks the user commands into card actions and application actions and executes the card actions and application actions. The ASUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in an application name column, an application status column, a user action column, and an information column. The CSUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in the card status field.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The subject matter of the present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, attorney docket number AUS920030090US1, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, attorney docket number AUS920030093, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related generally to the organization of financial accounts. Specifically, the present invention is directed towards a method of managing smartcard applications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of credit cards in consumer transactions is well known in the art. A credit card is defined as an account card issued by a specific bank or financial institution for the purpose of purchasing goods and services on credit provided by the bank or financial institution. Credit cards typically have a preset spending limit and specific terms regarding payment terms, interest rates, grace periods, and other terms and conditions. However, the credit card itself does not contain any information other than the account number. In order to complete a transaction, the credit card account number is read from the card, sent to the bank or financial institution for verification of account and charge authorization, and returned to the vendor with approval for the transaction to proceed. The transaction process can be time consuming when the transaction occurs during peak purchasing periods or when the transaction takes place in a foreign country. The transaction may be stopped entirely if the vendor is unable to establish communications with the bank. Moreover, credit cards apply to a single account. In other words, the bank or financial institution must issue one credit card to the consumer for every account, requiring the consumer to carry multiple credit cards when the consumer has more than one account. Therefore, a need exists for a credit card that can be used for multiple accounts. 
         [0004]    Debit cards are also well known in the art. With a debit card the consumer spends money already deposited in an account, rather than creating a credit account that will be paid at some later time. Debit cards are frequently used with deposit accounts such as checking, savings, and money market accounts. Unfortunately, like credit cards, debit cards card only contain a single account number. The vendor must still authorize the transaction through a communications network in order for the transaction to proceed, and the debit card can only be used for transactions with a single account. Therefore, a need exists for a debit card that can be used for multiple accounts. 
         [0005]    A smartcard is one solution to the problems encountered with traditional credit and debit cards. A smartcard is a card, sized similarly to a credit card, which contains a processor and a memory. A smartcard is more advantageous than a credit card in that the smartcard can store and update account information within the smartcard memory. Storing and updating the account information within the smartcard memory is advantageous because charge authorization can be obtained directly from the card itself rather than through communications with the bank or financial institution. Moreover, because the smartcard has the ability to store and update information, one smartcard can contain information regarding a plurality of accounts. The ability of the smartcard to store account information on a plurality of accounts eliminates the need for the consumer to carry a plurality of cards. Instead, the consumer can carry one smartcard that contains account information for the user&#39;s checking, savings, money market, and credit accounts. 
         [0006]    Moreover, smartcards contain additional flexibility because a user can add various applications onto their smartcard. One example of an application for a smartcard is a health care application. In a health care application, a smartcard may contain the user&#39;s heath insurance information so that the user&#39;s doctor can scan the smartcard and receive the patient&#39;s updated medical and insurance information, thereby streamlining the information exchange between the doctor, the patient, and the insurer. A similar application can be added to the smartcard for prescription drugs so that the doctor can use the card to know the status of the user&#39;s prescriptions. 
         [0007]    Another example of an application is an airline frequent flyer application. In the frequent flyer application, the smartcard contains the user&#39;s frequent flyer information such as the account number, mileage balance, status level, and so forth. When the user purchases air travel with the smartcard, the frequent flyer information is automatically connected to the travel information, streamlining the exchange of information between the user and the airline. 
         [0008]    However, the combination of a plurality of accounts and applications on a single smartcard creates new problems that were not previously encountered with credit or debit cards. One of these problems is efficient organization and maintenance of the accounts and applications on the smartcard. Smartcard users need to be able to add, modify, update, and delete accounts and applications as needed. Therefore, a need exists for an efficient method of organizing and maintaining accounts and applications associated with a smartcard. 
         [0009]    The problem of smartcard management has been addressed by the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,246 (the &#39;246 patent) entitled “Smartcard Adapted for a Plurality of Service Providers and for Remote Installation of Same” discloses a method of organizing and limiting access to the files installed within a smartcard. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,762 B1 (the &#39;762 patent) entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Dynamic Smartcard Synchronization and Personalization” discloses an account maintenance system for a smartcard. What is needed beyond the &#39;246 patent and the &#39;762 patent is a method for organizing a plurality of accounts and applications associated with a smartcard. 
         [0010]    Consequently, a need exists in the art for a method for organizing accounts and applications associated with a smartcard. Furthermore, a need exists for a method for adding, deleting, updating, and modifying accounts and applications associated with a smartcard. The need extends to an apparatus for implementing the aforementioned methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention, which meets the needs identified above, is a method and apparatus for managing applications installed on a smartcard. The present invention can be embodied in a software program operable on a computer. In the software embodiment, the invention comprises a Smartcard Management Program (SMP), a User Action Program (UAP), a User Command Program (UCP), an Application Status Update Program (ASUP), and a Card Status Update Program (CSUP). The SMP interfaces with smartcard communications system and accepts the user commands. The UAP obtains applications from external sources, updates the user profile, and transmits the user profile to the user for viewing on a graphical user interface (GUI). 
         [0012]    The UCP breaks the user commands into card actions and application actions and executes the card actions and application actions. Possible card actions include updating the PIN. Possible application actions include adding, installing, personalizing, updating, and deleting an application. 
         [0013]    The ASUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in an application name column, an application status column, a user action column, and an information column. Possible application states include without limitation: new, downloaded, installed, ready, update available, blocked, unblocked and personalized. An application is new when the application is available to the user. An application is downloaded when the user has downloaded the compressed data file for the application to the smartcard. An application is installed when the user has installed the compressed data file. An application is personalized when it has been properly set up by the user, possibly including registration. An application is ready when it is ready to be used. An application has an update available when there is a downloadable update available for the application. An application is blocked when the application issuer or the smartcard issuer has temporarily blocked the application. An application issuer or smart card issuer can also unblock an application. 
         [0014]    The CSUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in the card status field. Possible card states include without limitation: terminated, updated PIN, and locked. The card is terminated when the smartcard issuer blocks all activity on the smartcard, such as when the smartcard is lost or stolen. The PIN needs to be updated when the smartcard issuer resets the PIN, possibly for security reasons. The card is locked when the smartcard issuer wants to temporarily block activity on the smartcard, possibly to affirm that the activity on the card is not fraudulent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of the communications system associated with a smartcard; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the flow of information between the smartcard, the chip management system (CMS), and the client card system (CCS); 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the flow of information between the smartcard user, the CMS, an external server, and the CSS; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a computer memory containing the computer program embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the logic of the Smartcard Management Program (SMP) of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the logic of the User Action Program (UAP) of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of the logic of the User Command Program (UCP) of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the Application Status Update Program (ASUP) of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the Card Status Update Program (CSUP) of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the display of the graphical user interface (GUI) on the CSS associated with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    “Application issuer” shall have the same meaning herein as the term “Application Provider” (AP). 
         [0027]    “Chip” means a processor and a memory contained within a smart card wherein the processor is connected to the memory and is capable of wired or wireless communication with a card reader or card reader/writer. 
         [0028]    “Chip Information Number” (CIN) means a unique number assigned to each individual chip. The CIN can be used to identify the correct smartcard user when used in conjunction with a PIN. 
         [0029]    “Chip Management System” (CMS) means a system that manages the lifecycle of the chip including without limitation storage and management of a card profile associated with a chipholder. 
         [0030]    “Client Card System” means a computer having an interface for communication with a smart card. 
         [0031]    “Computer” means a machine having a processor, a memory, and an operating system, capable of interaction with a user or other computer, and shall include without limitation: desktop computers, notebook computers, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, and cell phones. 
         [0032]    “Display” means a visual depiction of a web page or computer program on a graphical user interface (GUI). 
         [0033]    “Distribution Server” (DS) means a server that is a trusted node to the CMS that can obtain the chipholder profile from the CMS and package information from the chipholder profile into Application Protocol Data Units (APDU). The DS has an Intelligent Gateway mode where the user is directly interfacing with the server or a router mode where another device such as an automatic teller machine (ATM) is performing the interaction with the user. 
         [0034]    “Input device” means a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, touchpoint device, stylus pen, touch screen, or any other type of device used to input data into a computer. 
         [0035]    “Post-issuance data” means instructions and data for adding, modifying, or deleting data stored in a chip. One type of post issuance data is a user profile. 
         [0036]    “Personal Information Number” (PIN) means a unique number assigned to each individual smartcard. The PIN can be used to identify the correct smartcard user when used in conjunction with a CIN. 
         [0037]    “Security Server” (SS) means a server that provides for secure transmission of data from the CMS to the DS. 
         [0038]    “Smartcard” means a card used for personal or business transactions comprising at least a processor and a memory capable of supporting an operating system application programs, storage of chip holder personalization data, application data and other data as may be required by the issuer of a smart card. 
         [0039]    “User interaction” means activating a button on a display by clicking on the button with a user input device or by touching the screen with a human hand or object; or activating a menu item on a display by clicking on the item with a user input device or by touching the screen with a human hand or object. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of one embodiment of a system  20  for carrying out operations associated with and providing post-issuance data to smartcard  32 . Smartcard  32  is shown inserted into client card system (CSS)  30 . CSS  30  may be, for example, a point-of-sale terminal, an automatic teller machine (ATM), or similar device. In general, smartcard  32  is capable of communicating with CSS  32 . For example, smartcard  32  may have a set of electrically conductive contacts arranged on a surface, and CSS  30  may have a similarly arranged set of electrically conductive contacts located in a smart card interface. When smartcard  32  is inserted into CSS  30 , corresponding members of the two sets of contacts may come into physical contact with one another. In addition, smartcard  32  is preferably capable of establishing and carrying out secure communications with CSS  30  as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number AUS920030090). 
         [0041]    In addition to CSS  30  and smartcard  32 , system  20  also includes chip management system (CMS)  22 , security server (SS)  24 , distribution server (DS)  28 , and communication network  26 . As indicated in  FIG. 1 , CSS  30 , CMS  22 , SS  24 , and DS  28  are connected to communication network  26 . Communication network  26  includes, without limitation, the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or the Internet. CSS  30 , CMS  22 , SS  24 , and DS  28  communicate with one another via communication network  26  to convey post-issuance data to smartcard  32  via a secure communication channel established within communication network  26 . 
         [0042]    One type of post-issuance data is the user profile described herein.  FIG. 2  is an illustration of the process of CSS  30  obtaining user profile  40  from CMS  22 .  FIG. 2  is best understood when viewed in conjunction with Smartcard Management Program (SMP)  100  in  FIG. 5 . When smartcard  32  is inserted into CSS  30 , CSS  30  reads CIN  34  from smartcard  32 . CSS  30  then transmits CIN  34  to CMS  22 . CMS  22  uses CIN  34  to access the user&#39;s profile  40 . CMS  40  then transmits user profile  40  back to CSS  30 , where CSS  30  displays user profile  40  on graphical user interface (GUI)  42 . Display  600  in  FIG. 10  is one possible illustration of the display of GUL  42 . 
         [0043]    As part of the present invention, the smartcard user can modify his user profile from any CSS.  FIG. 3  is an illustration of the process of a user  46  modifying his user profile  40 .  FIG. 2  is best understood when viewed in conjunction with User Action Program (UAP)  200  in  FIG. 6 . User  46  views his user profile on GUI  42 . User  46  then performs a user action on a input device  44 . CSS  30  transforms the user action into an electronic user command and transmits the user command to CMS  22 . CMS  22  uses the user command to modify user profile  40 . If necessary, CMS  22  can send a request to external server  48  and external server  48  will send an application, an update, or similar data back to CMS  22 . CMS  22  then sends the updated user profile back to CSS  30 , where CSS  30  displays the updated user profile on GUI  42 . This process illustrated in  FIG. 3  ends when smartcard  32  is removed into CSS  30  or user  46  terminates the process by input into input device  44 . Alternatively, the user profile can be installed on the smartcard and updates sent to a user profile archive in the CMS. 
         [0044]    The internal configuration of a computer, including connection and orientation of the processor, memory, and input/output devices, is well known in the art. The present invention is a methodology that can be embodied in a computer program. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the methodology of the present invention is implemented on software by Smartcard Management Program (SNP)  100 . SMP  100  comprises User Action Program (UAP)  200 , User Command Program (UCP)  300 , Application Status Update Program (ASUP)  400 , and Card Status Update Program (CSUP)  500 . SMP  100 , UAP  200 , UCP  300 , ASUP  400 , and CSLTP  500  described herein can be stored within the memory of a computer on CMS  22 , SS  24 , DS  28 , or the CSS  30  depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . Alternatively, SMP  100 , UAP  200 , UCP  300 , ASUP  400 , and/or CSUP  500  can be stored in an external storage device such as a removable disk or a CD-ROM. Memory  98  is illustrative of the memory within CMS  22  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . Memory  92  also contains user profile  40 . The present invention may interface with user profile  40  through memory  98 . As part of the present invention, the memory  98  can be configured with SMP  100 , UAP  200 , UCP  300 , ASUP  400 , and/or CSUP  500 . 
         [0045]    In alternative embodiments, SMP  100 , UAP  200 , UCP  300 , ASUP  400 , and/or CSUP  500  can be stored in the memory of other computers. This configuration allows the processor workload to be distributed across a plurality of processors instead of a single processor. Further configurations of SMP  100 , UAP  200 , UCP  300 , ASUP  400 , and/or CSUP  500  across various memories are known by persons skilled in the art. 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart of the logic of SMP  100  is illustrated. SMP  100  is a program which runs while the smartcard is inserted into a CSS. SMP  100  starts ( 102 ) when the user inserts the smartcard into the CSS ( 104 ). Generally, the user must enter his PIN on the input device on the CSS in conjunction with inserting the smartcard into the CSS. The CSS then reads the CIN from the smartcard and transmits the CIN to the CMS ( 106 ). The CMS then uses the CIN to access the user profile ( 108 ). The CMS then transmits the user profile back to the CSS ( 110 ). The CSS then displays the user profile on the GUI ( 112 ). SMP  100  then makes a determination whether there is a user command ( 114 ). If there is a user command, SMP  100  runs UAP  200  ( 116 ) and returns to step  114 . If at step  114  there is not a user command (i.e. the user has removed his smartcard from the CSS), SMP  100  ends ( 118 ). 
         [0047]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart of the logic of UAP  200  is illustrated. UAP  200  starts ( 202 ) when prompted by SMP  100 . UAP  200  accepts the user command entered in SMP  100  ( 204 ) and directs the CSS to transmit the user command to the CMS ( 206 ). UAP  200  then makes a determination whether an application is available from an external source ( 208 ). If an application is available from an external source, UAP  200  obtains the application from the external source ( 210 ) and proceeds to step  212 . If at step  208  an application is not available from an external source, UAP  200  proceeds directly to step  212 . At step  212 , UAP  200  runs UCP  300  ( 212 ). UAP  200  then runs ASUP  400  ( 214 ) and CSUP  500  ( 216 ). UAP  200  then directs the CMS to send the updated user profile to the CSS ( 218 ). The CSS then displays the updated user profile on the GUI ( 220 ). UAP  200  then ends ( 222 ). 
         [0048]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , a flowchart of the logic of UCP  300  is illustrated. UCP  300  starts ( 302 ) when prompted by UAP  200 . UCP  300  accepts the user command entered in SMP  100  ( 304 ). UCP  300  then makes a determination whether the user command is a card action or an application action ( 306 ). In other words, UCP  300  classifies user commands into commands concerning applications installed on the card and commands concerning the smartcard itself. If the command is a card action, then UCP  300  makes a determination whether the card action is a user command to update the PIN ( 308 ). If the user does not want to update the PIN, UCP  300  returns to step  306 . If the user wants to update the PIN, the UCP  300  allows the user to update the PIN ( 310 ) and proceeds to step  332 . Persons skilled in the art are aware of other card actions in addition to updating a PIN. 
         [0049]    Returning to step  306 , if the user command is an application action, then UCP  300  proceeds to step  312  where UCP  300  makes a determination whether the user command is to add an application ( 312 ). If the user command is to add an application, then UCP  300  adds the application to the user profile ( 314 ) and proceeds to step  332 . In adding the application to the user profile, UCP  300  downloads the compressed application data file to the user profile and/or smartcard and adds the application name to the application name column (see  FIG. 10 ). Returning to step  312 , if the user does not want to add an application, UCP  300  proceeds to step  316  where UCP  300  makes a determination whether the user command is to install an application ( 316 ). If the user command is to install an application, UCP  300  installs the application ( 318 ) and proceeds to step  332 . In installing the application, UCP  300  decompresses the compressed application data file and runs the install program associated with the application. Returning to step  316 , if the user does not want to install an application, USP 300 proceeds to step  320  where UCP  300  makes a determination whether the user command is to personalize an application ( 320 ). If the user wants to personalize an application, then UCP  300  personalizes the application selected by the user ( 322 ) and proceeds to step  332 . In personalizing the application, the user adds any necessary or optional data to the application to place the application in a state to perform a task. Personalizing an application can include registering the application. 
         [0050]    Returning to step  320 , if the user does not want to personalize the application, then UCP  300  makes a determination whether the user command is to update an application ( 324 ). If the user wants to update an application, then UCP  300  downloads the update from the applicable location, installs the update ( 326 ), and proceeds to step  332 . Returning to step  324 , if the user does not want to update the application, UCP  300  makes a determination whether the user wants to delete the application ( 328 ). If the user does not want to delete the application, UCP  300  returns to step  312 . If the user wants to delete the application, UCP  300  deletes the application from the user profile ( 330 ) and proceeds to step  332 . In deleting the application, UCP  300  removes the application from the user profile and/or the smartcard. Persons skilled in the art are aware of how to add, install, personalize, update, and delete an application from a smartcard and/or user profile. Persons skilled in the art are also aware of other application actions besides the ones described in steps  312  through  330 . UCP  300  then updates the user profile ( 332 ) and ends ( 334 ). 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , a flowchart of the logic of ASUP  400  is illustrated. ASUP  400  starts ( 402 ) when prompted by UAP  200 . ASUP  400  uses the CIN to access the user profile ( 404 ). ASUP  400  then makes a determination whether there are any applications that can be installed on the user profile which are not already installed ( 406 ). If there are not any applications that can be installed on the user profile, ASUP  400  proceeds directly to step  414 . If there are applications which can be installed, ASUP  400  adds the application name column of the user profile (see  FIG. 10 ) ( 408 ). ASUP  400  then adds the “new” icon to the application status column (see  FIG. 10 ) ( 410 ). ASUP  400  then adds the “download” button to the user actions column (see  FIG. 10 ) ( 412 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  414 . 
         [0052]    At step  414 , ASUP  400  makes a determination whether any applications are saved on the user profile ( 414 ). If there are not any applications saved on the user profile, ASUP  400  proceeds to step  454 . If there are applications saved on the user profile, ASUP  400  goes to the first application and makes a determination whether the application is downloaded ( 416 ). If the application is downloaded, ASUP  400  removes the “new” icon from the application status column and adds the “downloaded” icon to the application status column ( 418 ). ASUP  400  then removes the “download” button from the user action column and adds the “install” and “delete” buttons to the user action column ( 420 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  422 . 
         [0053]    Returning to step  416 , if the application is not downloaded, then ASUP  400  proceeds to step  422  where ASUP  400  makes a determination whether the application is installed ( 422 ). If the application is installed, ASUP  400  removes the “downloaded” icon from the application status column and adds the “installed” icon to the application status column ( 424 ). ASUP  400  then removes the “install” button from the user action column and adds the “personalize” button to the user action column ( 426 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  428 . 
         [0054]    Returning to step  422 , if the application is not installed, then ASUP  400  proceeds to step  428  where ASUP  400  makes a determination whether the application is personalized ( 428 ). If the application is personalized, ASUP  400  removes the “installed” icon from the application status column and adds the “ready” icon to the application status column ( 430 ). ASUP  400  then removes the “personalize” button from the user action column ( 432 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  434 . 
         [0055]    Returning to step  428 , if the application is not personalized, then ASUP  400  proceeds to step  434  where ASUP  400  makes a determination whether an update for the application is available ( 434 ). If an update for the application is available, ASUP  400  adds the “update available” icon to the application status column ( 436 ). ASUP  400  then adds the “update” button to the user action column ( 438 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  440 . 
         [0056]    Returning to step  434 , if an update for the application is not available, ASUP  400  proceeds to step  440  where ASUP  400  makes a determination whether the application is blocked ( 440 ). An application is blocked if the application issuer has stopped the user from using the particular application. Persons skilled in the art are aware of how to block an application on a smartcard. If the application is blocked, ASUP  400  adds the “blocked” icon to the application status column ( 442 ). ASUP  400  then hides the buttons in the user action column ( 444 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  450 . 
         [0057]    Returning to step  440 , if the application is not blocked, ASUP  400  proceeds to step  446  where ASUP  400  makes a determination whether the “blocked” icon is in the application status column ( 446 ). If the “blocked” icon is not in the application status column, ASUP  400  proceeds to step  450 . If the “blocked” icon is in the application status column, ASUP  400  removes the “blocked” icon from the application status column and displays the user action buttons ( 448 ). ASUP  400  then proceeds to step  450 . 
         [0058]    At step  450 , ASUP  400  makes a determination whether there is another application on the user profile ( 450 ). If there is another application on the user profile, ASUP  400  goes to the next application ( 452 ) and returns to step  416 . If at step  450  there is not another application, ASUP  400  updates the user profile ( 454 ) and ends ( 456 ). 
         [0059]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , a flowchart of the logic of CSUP  500  is illustrated. CSUP  500  starts ( 502 ) when prompted by UAP  200 . CSUP  500  then uses the CIN to access the user profile ( 504 ). CSUP  500  then makes a determination whether the smartcard has been terminated ( 506 ). A smartcard has been terminated if the smartcard issuer has blocked all activity on the smartcard. A smartcard may be terminated if the smartcard is lost or stolen. Persons skilled in the art are aware of how to terminate a smartcard. If the smartcard has been terminated, CSUP  500  changes the card status to “card terminated” ( 508 ) and proceeds to step  520 . If at step  506  the card has not been terminated, CSUP  500  makes a determination whether the PIN has been reset ( 510 ). A PIN has been reset when the smartcard issuer deletes an old PIN and requests that the user set a new PIN. Persons skilled in the art are aware of how to reset a PIN. If the PIN has been reset, CSUP  500  changes the card status to “update PIN” ( 512 ) and proceeds to step  520 . If at step  510  the PIN has not been reset, CSUP  500  makes a determination whether the card is locked ( 514 ). A card is locked if the smartcard issuer wants to temporarily block the use of the card, but not terminate the card. Persons skilled in the art are aware of how to lock a smartcard. If the card is locked, CSUP  500  changes the card status to “card locked—call customer service for more information” ( 516 ) and proceeds to step  520 . If at step  514  the card is not locked, CSUP  500  changes the card status to “ready” ( 518 ) and proceeds to step  520 . At step  520 , CSUP  500  updates the user profile ( 520 ) and ends ( 522 ). 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  is one possible display  600  from GUI  42  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Display  600  depicts the card status  602 , which is modified by CSUP  500  in  FIG. 9 . Display  600  also depicts numerous applications  604  which can be modified by UCP  300  depicted in  FIG. 7  and ASUP  400  depicted in  FIG. 8 . ASUP  400  makes reference to application name column  606 , application status column  608 , user action column  610 , all of which are depicted in display  600 . Display  600  also contains information column  612  which displays any additional information related to a particular application  604 . 
         [0061]    While the disclosed application for the present invention is within smartcards, this disclosure is not meant to be limiting in any way. The present invention can be alternatively embodied in wireless devices, home appliances, and the like. In fact, the present invention is advantageous whenever there is a need to organize various kinds of information. 
         [0062]    With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The novel spirit of the present invention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the steps contained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meant to be limited in any way except by proper construction of the following claims.