Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the diagnostic testing of a mobile telephone terminal ( 10 ) including: a UICC card ( 13 ) containing a stored test application, and a contactless communication module ( 12 ) which can exchange data with a contactless unit ( 20 ) by retromodulation of a signal transmitted by the unit, said method comprising a test operation whereby the unit: emits a test application selection request; detects a response indicating application selection confirmation or failure, transmitted by the mobile telephone terminal; and determines the operating state of the UICC card or of the terminal as a function of the response detected.

Description:
This is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of International application number PCT/EP2009/054953 filed Apr. 24, 2009. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a method for the diagnostic testing of a mobile telephone terminal including one or several contactless applications. The invention also concerns an associated contactless unit, and an associated mobile telephone terminal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     More and more services use wireless communication techniques. These techniques allow devices to exchange data with each other or with a contactless chip card, via a short range radiofrequency connection (typically in the vicinity of a few centimeters in the framework of the ISO 14443 standard) or a proximity radiofrequency connection (in the vicinity of a meter in the framework of the ISO 15693 standard). 
     “Contactless” describes an exchange of data between a contactless reader (Proximity Coupling Device—PCD) and a contactless card (Proximity Integrated Circuit Card—PICC), in which the reader transmits a wireless signal on a predetermined carrier frequency and the card transmits another signal by retromodulation of the carrier frequency. 
     The card can be “passive”, in which case it is powered by the wireless field transmitted by the reader (by charge modulation through inductive coupling), or “active”, in which case it includes a specific power source. 
     Certain mobile terminals (mobile telephones or PDAs) include contactless applications allowing users to use their mobile terminal as an information medium able to exchange data, the terminal thus being able to act as payment card, loyalty card, badge, show ticket, transportation ticket or key, for example. These applications can be stored in the terminal&#39;s UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). 
     With the multiplication of services using this data transfer method, a same mobile terminal must be able to implement several contactless applications, each application being able to be used in the context of a specific service procured by a supplier or service provider. The different applications are not necessarily associated with the same supplier or service provider. Moreover, the service provider is not necessarily the mobile telephone operator. For example, a payment application may be used by a user who subscribes for a contactless payment service offered by a bank. 
     When the user encounters problems in accessing a given service, he may address the mobile telephone operator&#39;s customer service. 
     However, the problems encountered may have different causes: 
     In a first case, the inability to access the service may result from a malfunction of the contactless components of the mobile telephone or the UICC card containing the stored application. 
     In a second case, the inability to access the service may result from a malfunction in the application. 
     In the first case, the mobile telephone operator must resolve the encountered problems, for example by replacing the mobile terminal or the UICC card. In the second case, it is the service supplier that must ensure the proper operation of the contactless application. 
     However, it is sometimes difficult to identify the causes of the malfunctions to orient the user towards the appropriate representative (the mobile telephone operator or the service supplier). 
     To try to identify the causes of the malfunctions, it is generally necessary to remove the UICC card from the mobile terminal and perform operating tests. 
     Moreover, it is not currently possible to test the other components of the mobile terminal. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One aim of the invention is to allow rapid and simple identification of the causes of a malfunction. 
     This problem is resolved in the context of the present invention owing to a method for the diagnostic testing of a mobile telephone terminal including a UICC card containing a stored test application and a contactless communication module which can exchange data with a contactless unit by retromodulation of a signal transmitted by the unit, comprising a test operation whereby the unit:
         emits a test application selection request;   detects a response indicating application selection confirmation or failure, transmitted by the mobile telephone terminal; and   determines the operating state of the UICC card or of the terminal as a function of the response detected.       

     The UICC card is programmed with a specific test application allowing the mobile terminal to respond to the unit during a test operation. The test operation thus makes it possible to verify that the chain of contactless components (communication module and UICC card) is operating correctly, without having to remove the UICC card. 
     The method can include steps according to which:
         if the unit does not detect any response from the mobile terminal, the unit deduces a malfunction of the mobile terminal,   if the unit detects an error response from the mobile terminal, the unit deduces a malfunction of the UICC card.       

     In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises a prior test operation according to which the unit:
         transmits an initialization request having a predetermined format,   detects or does not detect a response transmitted by the mobile telephone terminal,   deduces an operating state of the mobile terminal based on the detection or non-detection of the response.       

     The prior test operation makes it possible to verify that the mobile terminal works before performing the test operation on the chain of contactless components. 
     The prior test operation can be carried out as follows:
         the unit transmits a plurality of successive initialization requests, each request having a format that varies according to a predetermined request format sequence,   if the unit detects a response, then the unit carries out the steps of the following test operation in order to verify the operation of the chain of contactless components,   if the unit does not detect a response, then the unit deduces a malfunction of the terminal.       

     In one embodiment of the invention, the method also comprises a subsequent test operation according to which the unit:
         transmits a query command to the UICC card&#39;s directory,   determines whether a given application is present in the UICC card by looking for the application in a list of applications sent by the mobile terminal in response to the query command,   deduces an operating state of the application.       

     The subsequent test operation is carried out in the case where both of the preceding test operations have not made it possible to conclude on a malfunction of the terminal or of the chain of contactless components. The subsequent test operation makes it possible to verify that a given contactless application is indeed present in the UICC card. 
     The subsequent test operation can be carried out as follows:
         if the unit determines that the given application is present, then the unit deduces a malfunction of the application.       

     In one embodiment of the invention, the unit queries a database to determine whether the mobile telephone user has subscribed to the service associated with the given application. 
     The invention also concerns a contactless unit for diagnostic testing of an operating state of a mobile telephone terminal including a UICC card containing a stored test application and a contactless communication module which can exchange data with the contactless unit by retromodulation of a signal transmitted by the unit, the unit being able to carry out one or several of the previously defined test operations. 
     The invention also concerns a mobile telephone terminal including a UICC card containing a stored test application and a contactless communication module which is able to exchange data with a contactless unit by retromodulation of a signal transmitted by the unit, the test application being programmed to carry out a test operation according to which, when the communication module receives a test application selection request transmitted by the unit, the communication module sends an application selection confirmation response back to the unit, such that the unit can determine an operating state of the UICC card as a function of the sent back response. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages will emerge from the following description, which is purely for information and non-limiting, and which must be read in light of the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates a mobile telephone terminal including a contactless communication module and a diagnostic unit, 
         FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates the steps of a first test operation according to one embodiment of the diagnostic method of the invention, 
         FIG. 3  diagrammatically illustrates the steps of a second test operation according to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates the steps of a third test operation according to one embodiment of the method according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  diagrammatically shows a mobile telephone terminal  10  and a diagnostic unit  20 . 
     The mobile telephone terminal  10  is a terminal able to establish telephone communications via a mobile telephone cellular network. 
     The mobile telephone terminal  10  is also adapted to exchange data with a contactless unit. 
     To that end, the terminal  10  comprises a contactless communication module  12  including a specific antenna  11 , and a UICC card  13  in which one or several contactless applications are stored. The UICC card  13 , which is for example a SIM card, in particular contains a test application  14 . 
     The UICC card  13  is initially programmed with the test operation  14  during manufacture in the plant or is configured remotely. In the latter case, the application  14  is sent to the mobile terminal via the cellular telephone network (OTA—Over the Air—transmission) and is stored in the UICC card. 
     Traditionally, the communication module  12  is connected to the UICC card  13  using a single contact. The communication module  12  and the UICC card  13  can exchange data according to a SWP protocol (Single Wire Protocol) via the unique contact. 
     The diagnostic unit  20  comprises a computer  21  and an antenna  22  able to transmit radiofrequency signals intended for the mobile terminal  10 . The computer  21  includes a reader  23  able to decode the signals received by the antenna  22 . The computer  21  contains a diagnostic testing program making it possible to test the operation of the mobile terminal  10 . 
     Lastly, the diagnostic unit  20  is connected to a database  30  of the mobile telephone operator. The database  30  contains data concerning the mobile telephone network&#39;s subscribers. 
       FIGS. 2 to 4  illustrate steps of a diagnostic testing method of a mobile telephone terminal according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     It is assumed that the mobile telephone terminal user addresses a customer service center to indicate that he is not managing to access a given service with his mobile terminal. 
     The diagnostic testing program can automatically carry out the different steps of the method. The diagnostic testing method takes place through three successive test operations. 
     A first test operation (TEST  1 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     According to a first step  101 , the diagnostic testing program orders a transmission by the antenna of a radiofrequency signal in the form of an initialization command (REQUEST—REQ) according to a first predetermined communication protocol. The signal received by the antenna is sent to the contactless communication module. The communication module processes the signal and sends back a response (ANSWER TO REQUEST or ATQ). 
     According to a second step  102 , the diagnostic testing program determines whether a response is sent by the terminal. The expected response consists of a response signal including an identifier (ID) of the contactless communication module. The response signal is generated by modulation of the NFC frame transmitted by the diagnostic terminal. 
     If a response is detected by the reader, then according to a third step  103 , the diagnostic testing program triggers a second test operation (TEST  2 ). 
     If no response is detected by the reader, the diagnostic testing program again carries out the first step  101 . This time, the terminal transmits a radiofrequency signal in the form of a NFC field according to a second predetermined communication protocol, different from the first protocol. 
     As long as no response is received from the mobile terminal, the diagnostic testing program renews step  101  by scanning a predetermined sequence of protocols. One example of a sequence is shown in table 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Interface 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (modulation 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and 
               
               
                 Protocol 
                 Standard 
                 Frequency 
                 coding) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 ISO 14443 
                 13.56 MHz 
                 Type A 
               
               
                 2 
                 ISO 14443 
                 13.56 MHz 
                 Type B 
               
               
                 3 
                 ISO 14443 
                 13.56 MHz 
                 Type B′ 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Innovatron′ 
               
               
                 4 
                 ISO 15693 
                 13.56 MHz 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     According to a fourth step  104 , when the entire sequence has been scanned by the diagnostic unit and no response has been received from the mobile terminal, the diagnostic unit concludes on a malfunction of the mobile terminal. In this case, the user&#39;s mobile terminal must be replaced. 
     The second test operation (TEST  2 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     According to a first step  201 , the diagnostic testing program commands a transmission by the antenna of a radiofrequency signal in the form of a test application selection command (SELECT). 
     According to a second step  202 , the diagnostic testing program determines whether a response is sent by the terminal. The expected response consists of a response signal including selection information (SELECT ACKNOWLEDGE or SAK). 
     If no response is detected by the reader, then according to the third step  203 , the diagnostic unit concludes on a malfunction of the mobile terminal. 
     If a response is detected, then according to a fourth step  204 , the diagnostic unit determines whether the selection was successful. In other words, the diagnostic testing program determines whether the reader detects a selection confirmation response or an error response. 
     If a selection confirmation response is detected by the reader, then according to a fifth step  205 , the diagnostic testing program triggers a third test operation (TEST  3 ). 
     If an error response is detected, then according to a sixth step  206 , the diagnostic unit concludes on a malfunction of the UICC card. In this case, the UICC card must be replaced. 
     The third test operation (TEST  3 ) is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     According to a first step  301 , the diagnostic testing program controls a transmission by the antenna of a radiofrequency signal in the form of a query command of the list of applications present on the UICC card (APDU Global Platform Command GET STATUS, the APDU Global Platform being query commands carried out in the application layer). In response to this command, the contactless communication module of the terminal returns a list of contactless applications present on the UICC card. 
     According to a second step  302 , the diagnostic testing program determines whether a given application is present on the list. 
     If the application is absent, then according to a third step  303 , the diagnostic unit queries the database so as to verify that the user has subscribed for the service associated with the missing application. 
     If the user has subscribed for the service, the user is asked to contact the service provider associated with the application. 
     In the contrary case, the diagnostic unit concludes that the user has not subscribed for the service associated with the application. 
     If the application is present, then according to a fourth step  304 , the diagnostic testing program concludes on a malfunction of the application. In that case, the user is asked to contact the service provider associated with the defective application. Table 2 illustrates the possible results of the diagnostic testing method: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test operation 
                 Result of the test 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 TEST 1 
                 No 
                 Response detected 
               
               
                   
                 response 
               
               
                   
                 detected 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TEST 2 
                 — 
                 Selection 
                 Selection successful 
               
               
                   
                   
                 failed 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TEST 3 
                 — 
                 — 
                 Application 
                 Application 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 present 
                 Absent 
               
               
                 Diagnosis 
                 Malfunction 
                 Malfunction 
                 Malfunction 
                 Service not 
               
               
                   
                 of the mobile 
                 of the 
                 of the 
                 available 
               
               
                   
                 terminal 
                 terminal or 
                 application 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the UICC 
               
               
                   
                   
                 card