Operation check device, operation check system, and operation check method

Abstract

To provide an operation check device, an operation check system, and an operation check method that can easily check operation of a portable electronic device.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an operation check device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface communicates via a network. The processor communicates, via the communication interface, with a portable electronic device to be tested through a user terminal and a reader / writer connected to the user terminal via the network, causes the portable electronic device to be tested to perform operation check processing, and transmits an operation check result, based on a result of the operation check processing performed by the portable electronic device to be tested, to a specified notification destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an operation checking device, an operation checking system, and an operation checking method. [Background technology]

[0002] It is difficult for users to visually check for problems with portable electronic devices such as IC cards. For this reason, when a problem with an IC card occurs, users traditionally contact the IC card issuer by telephone, email, etc. If the problem cannot be resolved by the user's inquiry to the card issuer, the IC card is replaced in reality.

[0003] However, when a user feels there is a problem with an IC card, the card issuer may find that there is no hardware problem when inspecting it. In such cases, it is assumed that the problem lies in the way the user is using the IC card or the environment in which it is used, and the replacement of the IC card may be a waste of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-86357 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation checking device, an operation checking system, and an operation checking method that can easily check the operation of a portable electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, the operation checking device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface communicates via a network. The processor communicates with a user terminal via the network via the communication interface and a portable electronic device to be tested via a reader / writer connected to the user terminal, causes the portable electronic device to be tested to perform an operation checking process, and transmits an operation checking result based on a result of the operation checking process performed by the portable electronic device to a predetermined notification destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an operation checking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an operation check server serving as an operation check device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation check server in the operation check system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the analysis server in the operation checking system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the overall processing flow in the operation checking system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the analysis server in the operation check system according to the embodiment in analyzing the operation check results. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of updating the operation check content by the analysis server in the operation check system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the analysis server in the operation check system according to the embodiment, in which the analysis server performs a comparative analysis between the operation check result and the defect information. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the operation check server as the operation check device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration example of an operation checking system including an operation checking device according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 1 as an operation check system having an operation check server 11 as an operation check device according to an embodiment. 1, the management system 1 as an operation check system has an operation check server 11 as an operation check device and an analysis server 12 as an analysis device. The operation check server 11 and the analysis server 12 are each configured as a server device. However, the operation check server 11 and the analysis server 12 may be physically configured as a single server device.

[0009] The operation check server 11 remotely checks the operation (simple operation check) of the IC card C presented by the user. The IC card C is an example of a portable electronic device to be tested. The portable electronic device to be tested may be any device that executes processing in response to an external command and outputs the processing result as a response, and may be, for example, a portable terminal having the same functions as the IC card C.

[0010] The operation checking server 11 communicates with the user terminal 21, the analysis server 12, and the card issuer 3 (the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3). The operation checking server 11 communicates with the user terminal 21 via a network such as the Internet, and with the IC card C via the user terminal 21 and the reader / writer 22.

[0011] The operation checking server 11 supplies various commands to the IC card C according to test scripts for each set test item as an operation check for the IC card C, and acquires a response to each command from the IC card C. The operation checking server 11 generates an operation check result based on the execution result of the operation check process for the IC card C. The operation checking server 11 transmits the operation check result to the specified notification destinations, namely the analysis server 12, the user terminal 21, and the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3. As a result, the result of the operation check for the IC card C by the operation checking server 11 (operation check result) is shared not only with the user, but also with the card issuer 3 and analysis server 12.

[0012] The operation check server 11 has a function of updating the contents of the operation check to be performed on the IC card C to be tested. The operation check server 11 updates the contents of the operation check to be performed on the IC card in response to a request for updating the operation check contents based on an analysis of multiple operation check results from the analysis server 12. The operation check server 11 may also accumulate the operation check results for multiple IC cards C in an accumulation unit such as a data memory, and update the contents of the operation check based on the analysis results of the accumulated operation check results.

[0013] The analysis server 12 analyzes the information. The analysis server 12 has an interface for communicating with the operation check server 11 and the card issuer 3 (the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3). For example, the analysis server 12 analyzes the operation check results of the IC card C performed by the operation check server 11. The analysis server 12 provides the card issuer 3 with the analysis results of the operation check results. The analysis server 12 also has a function of sending an update request for the operation check contents to the operation check server 11 according to the analysis results of the operation check results. Furthermore, the analysis server 12 may collect a usage fee from the card issuer 3 according to the implementation status of the operation check performed by the operation check server 11.

[0014] The analysis server 12 also acquires from the card issuer 3 defect information obtained as a result of the card issuer 3 inspecting the IC card C (collected portable electronic device) returned by the user. The analysis server 12 has a function of analyzing whether there is a problem with the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 using the defect information provided by the card issuer 3. If a defect identified in the defect information, which is the inspection result of the IC card C, has not been confirmed in the operation check performed by the operation check server 11, the analysis server 12 takes measures such as updating the contents of the operation check or updating the test script itself.

[0015] The user processing system 2 is a system configured from devices operated by a user who uses (possesses) an IC card C issued by a card issuer 3. The user processing system 2 has a user terminal 21 and a reader / writer 22. The user terminal 21 may be any device that can be connected to the reader / writer 22 and has the function of communicating with the operation check server 11 via a network such as the Internet. For example, the user terminal 21 may be a personal computer (PC), a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or a household electrical appliance with a communication function such as a television. The reader / writer 22 is a device that communicates with the IC card C. The reader / writer 22 communicates with the IC card C in response to instructions from the user terminal 21.

[0016] In operation check by the operation check server 11, the user processing system 2 transmits to the operation check server a response from the IC card C to a command specified by the operation check server 11. For example, the user terminal 21 supplies the command specified by the operation check server 11 to the IC card C via the reader / writer 22, obtains the response from the IC card C to the command from the reader / writer 22, and transmits it to the operation check server 11. The user terminal 21 also has a function of obtaining the operation check result for the IC card C by the operation check server 11, and notifying the user of information indicating the operation check result.

[0017] The card issuer (card issuing company) 3 is a company that issues and manages IC cards used by users. The card issuer 3 has a customer service department that handles customer service and a department (technical department) that handles repairs and replacements of IC cards. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the card issuer 3 has an information processing device 30 as a device for communicating with the operation check server 11 and the analysis server 12. The information processing device 30 is, for example, a computer having a processor, memory, an interface, an operation unit, and a display unit.

[0018] The customer service department of the card issuer 3 responds to inquiries from users of the IC card C via communication means such as telephone or email. For example, if a problem occurs with the IC card, the user makes an inquiry to the customer service department of the card issuer 3. If the user's inquiry requires that the operation of the IC card be checked, the customer service department of the card issuer 3 instructs the user to have the operation checked by the operation check server 11.

[0019] When the user performs an operation check using the operation check server 11, the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3 obtains the operation check results for the IC card C from the operation check server 11. The customer service department of the card issuer 3 instructs the user to take further action based on the operation check results for the IC card C obtained by the information processing device 30. Specifically, if the customer service department of the card issuer 3 determines from the operation check results that there is a problem with the user's IC card, it instructs the user to replace the IC card C.

[0020] Furthermore, the technical department of the card issuer 3 inspects the IC card sent by the user for IC card replacement. For example, the technical department inspects the IC card by specifically analyzing the hardware and software defects in the IC card received from the user (for example, by performing an analysis to identify or estimate the defective location). The technical department uses the information processing device 30 to provide the analysis server 12 with information (defect information) regarding the defect identified or estimated by the inspection of the IC card.

[0021] Next, functions of the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining in outline the main functions of the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation check server 11 has, as its main functions, an operation check function 31 and a data management function 35. The operation checking function 31 is realized by an implementation test script 32 and a test environment 33. The implementation test script 32 is a group of programs for each test item to be implemented as an operation check for the IC card C. The implementation test script 32 is stored in a data memory 44 in the operation checking server 11, which will be described later. The test environment 33 is a function that manages the environment for implementing a test on the IC card C.

[0022] The operation check server 11 executes the program set in the execution test script 32 in an environment indicated by the test environment 33 to check the operation of the IC card C using the operation check function 31. For example, the operation check server 11 supplies each process (process for each test item) set in the execution test script 32 to the IC card C using the operation check function 31, and acquires a response from the IC card. The operation check function 31 of the operation check server 11 determines that there is no problem (Pass) if the response from the IC card C is as specified (expected), and determines that there is a problem (Fail) if the response from the IC card C is not as specified (expected), and stores and manages the test results (operation check results) using the data management function 35.

[0023] The data management function 35 has a test script database 36 and an operation check result database 37. The test script database 36 and the operation check result database 37 as the data management function 35 are stored in a data memory 44 in the operation check server 11, which will be described later.

[0024] The test script database 36 is a database that stores a group of programs for each test item that can be performed to check the operation of the IC card C. The operation check server 11 registers a test script selected from the test script database 36 according to the content of the operation check as the executed test script 32. For example, when updating the test items to be performed to check the operation of the IC card C, the operation check server 11 selects a test script corresponding to the test item to be performed from the test script database 36 and registers the selected test script as the executed test script 32.

[0025] The operation check result database 37 is a database that stores the results of the operation check (operation check results). For example, when analyzing the results of the operation check that has already been performed on the IC card C, the operation check server 11 may supply the operation check results stored in the operation check result database 37 to the analysis server 12.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation check server 11 includes a processor (first processor) 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a data memory 44, a communication interface (first communication interface) 45, and a communication interface (second communication interface) 46.

[0027] The processor 41 executes various processes by executing programs. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 41 is connected to each unit in the operation checking server 11 via a system bus, and transmits and receives data to and from each unit. The processor 41 cooperates with the ROM 42 and RAM 43 to execute various processes in the operation checking server 11. For example, the processor 41 executes each process described below by using the RAM 43 to execute a program stored in the ROM 42 or the data memory 44.

[0028] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and control data for implementing the basic operations of the operation check server 11. The RAM 43 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data and functions as a working memory when the processor 41 executes a program.

[0029] The data memory 44 is a storage device that stores various types of data. The data memory 44 is composed of a non-volatile memory that allows data to be rewritten. For example, the data memory 44 stores an OS program, an application program, operation setting information, etc. The data memory 44 is provided with a storage area that stores information related to the execution test script 32 and the test environment 33 for implementing the operation check function 31, and a storage area that stores a database in which the data management function 35 is managed.

[0030] The communication interface 45 is a communication interface for communicating with the analysis server 12. For example, the communication interface 45 may be configured as a local area network (LAN) interface for communicating with the analysis server 12 via a LAN.

[0031] The communication interface 46 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 21 operated by the user. For example, the communication interface 46 may be configured as a network interface for communicating with the user terminal 21 via a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0032] The communication interface 45 and the communication interface 46 may be a single communication interface. The communication interface 45 and the communication interface 46 may be interfaces that perform wireless communication or interfaces that perform wired communication.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the analysis server 12 as the analysis device in the operation checking system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the analysis server 12 as an analysis device in the operation checking system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the analysis server 12 includes a processor (second processor) 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a data memory 54, a communication interface (third communication interface) 55, and a communication interface (fourth communication interface) 56.

[0034] The processor 51 executes various processes by executing programs. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 51 is connected to each part in the analysis server 12 via a system bus and transmits and receives data to and from each part. The processor 51 realizes various processes in cooperation with the ROM 52 and RAM 53. For example, the processor 51 executes each process described below by using the RAM 53 to execute a program stored in the ROM 52 or the data memory 54.

[0035] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and control data for implementing the basic operations of the analysis server 12. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data and functions as a working memory when the processor 51 executes a program.

[0036] The data memory 54 is a storage device that stores various types of data. The data memory 54 is configured as a non-volatile memory that allows data to be rewritten. For example, the data memory 54 stores an OS program, an application program, operation setting information, etc. The data memory 54 is provided with a storage area for storing information indicating the results of an operation check performed by the operation check server 11 on the IC card C, or an analysis result obtained by comparing the operation check results with defect information, etc.

[0037] The communication interface 55 is a communication interface for communicating with the operation check server 11. For example, the communication interface 55 may be configured as a local area network (LAN) interface for communicating with the operation check server 11 via a LAN.

[0038] The communication interface 56 is a communication interface for communicating with the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3. For example, the communication interface 56 may be configured as a network interface for communicating with the information processing device 30 via a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0039] The communication interface 55 and the communication interface 56 may be a single communication interface. The communication interface 55 and the communication interface 56 may be interfaces that perform wireless communication or interfaces that perform wired communication.

[0040] Next, the operation of the entire system including the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the entire system including the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment. If a problem occurs with the IC card C issued by the card issuer 3, the user inquires with the card issuer 3 (ST11). The user's inquiry to the card issuer 3 is made to the customer service department of the card issuer 3 by communication means such as telephone or email.

[0041] Based on an inquiry from a user, the customer service department of the card issuer 3 identifies a problem that has occurred with the IC card C used by the user, and determines whether or not an operation check (simple operation check) of the IC card C by the operation check server 11 is necessary. If the customer service department of the card issuer 3 determines that an operation check of the IC card C is necessary, it instructs (requests) the user to have the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 (ST12). For example, as an operation check instruction, the customer service department of the card issuer 3 guides the user through the procedure for performing an operation check of the IC card C by the operation check server 11 using a user terminal connected to the reader / writer 22.

[0042] The user operates the user terminal 21 connected to the reader / writer 22 in response to instructions from the card issuer 3. The user terminal 21 accesses the operation checking server 11 with the reader / writer 22 connected to it, in which the IC card C to be tested is set by the user's operation (ST13). For example, the user terminal 21 connected to the reader / writer 22 transmits an access request to the operation checking server 11 via a network such as the Internet using the communication interface 45.

[0043] The operation checking server 11 receives an access request from the user terminal 21 via a network such as the Internet through the communication interface 45, and enters a state of communication with the user terminal 21. When the processor 41 of the operation checking server 11 enters a state of communication with the user terminal 21, it confirms that the IC card C to be tested is set in the reader / writer 22 connected to the user terminal 21. Once it has confirmed that the IC card C is set in the reader / writer 22, the operation checking server 11 enters a state of communication with the user terminal 21 and the IC card C to be tested via the network through the reader / writer 22, and it becomes possible to perform an operation check on the IC card C.

[0044] When the processor 41 of the operation confirmation server 11 becomes able to perform operation confirmation on the IC card C set in the reader / writer 22 connected to the user terminal 21, it performs the operation confirmation process by having the IC card C execute the test script (operation confirmation process) corresponding to each test item set as the implementation test script 32 of the operation confirmation function 31 (ST14).

[0045] For example, in the operation checking process, the processor 41 of the operation checking server 11 sequentially supplies each command according to a plurality of test scripts set as the execution test script 32 to the IC card C. The IC card C set in the reader / writer 22 executes the command supplied from the operation checking server 11 and transmits a response including the execution result of the command to the operation checking server 11 via the reader / writer 22 and the user terminal 21.

[0046] The processor 41 of the operation checking server 11 holds responses to each command supplied to the IC card C. When the processor 41 of the operation checking server 11 acquires responses to all commands by the implementation test script 32, it generates an operation checking result for the IC card C based on the acquired responses. The processor 41 of the operation checking server 11 stores the generated operation checking results in an operation checking result database 37 in the data management function 35, which is an accumulation unit for the generated operation checking results.

[0047] Furthermore, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 sends the operation check result for the IC card C to a predetermined notification destination, so that it is shared not only with the user (user terminal 21) but also with the analysis server 12 and the card issuer 3. That is, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 sends the operation check result associated with the identification information of the tested IC card C to the user terminal 21 (ST15), and also sends it to the analysis server 12 and the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3 (ST16, ST17).

[0048] When the user terminal 21 acquires the operation check result from the operation check server 11, it notifies the user of the operation check result for the IC card C. For example, the user terminal 21 notifies the user of the operation check result by displaying a guide screen showing the operation check result for the IC card C acquired from the operation check server 11 on a display device.

[0049] For example, when a defect in the IC card C is confirmed as a result of the operation check, the operation check server 11 may notify the user terminal 21 of the confirmation of the defect in the IC card C together with the operation check result. When the user terminal 21 is notified that a defect in the IC card C has been confirmed as a result of the operation check, the user terminal 21 may notify the user terminal 21 of the operation check result and a guide to request a replacement of the IC card C from the card issuer 3.

[0050] Furthermore, if the operation check fails to find any defect in the IC card C, the operation check server 11 may notify the user terminal 21 that a problem other than the defect in the IC card may have occurred. As a result, if the operation check fails to find any defect in the IC card C, the user terminal 21 may notify the result of the operation check along with a guide to request the card issuer 3 to solve the problem other than the defect in the IC card C.

[0051] The card issuer 3 obtains the operation check result sent from the operation check server 11 by using the information processing device 30 or the like. If the operation check result does not reveal any defects in the IC card C (ST18, NO), the card issuer 3 performs the task of checking with the user about problems such as the IC card usage method and usage environment in order to solve problems other than the defects in the IC card C (ST19).

[0052] If the operation check results confirm a defect in IC card C (ST18, YES), the card issuer 3 exchanges the IC card with the user (ST20). The customer service department of the card issuer 3 instructs the user to return the IC card and sends a newly issued IC card to the user. The user sends the IC card they are using in accordance with the instructions from the card issuer 3 and receives the new IC card sent by the card issuer 3. This completes the exchange of IC cards between the user and the card issuer 3.

[0053] Furthermore, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes trends in defects occurring in the IC card based on multiple operation check results obtained from the operation check server 11 at predetermined times (ST21). For example, the analysis server 12 statistically counts the defects confirmed by type based on multiple operation check results obtained from the operation check server 11 periodically or at a time instructed by the administrator, and identifies trends in defects occurring in the IC card. The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 transmits the analysis results of the defect trends based on the operation check results to the card issuer 3, which is a predetermined notification destination (ST22).

[0054] The card issuer 3 acquires the results of the defect trend analysis by the analysis server 12 using the information processing device 30. For example, the information processing device 30 may present the defect trend analysis results acquired from the analysis server 12 to the card issuer 3 by displaying them on a display device. This allows the card issuer to easily know information summarizing the defect trends confirmed by the simple operation check, and to visually recognize the performance (durability, etc.) of the IC cards it issues.

[0055] Furthermore, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes the content of the operation check being performed by the operation check server 11 based on multiple operation check results obtained from the operation check server 11 at predetermined times (ST23). For example, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes the content of the operation check that should be performed to efficiently or highly accurately check for defects based on multiple operation check results obtained from the operation check server 11 periodically or at a time instructed by the administrator. If the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 determines from the analysis that the content of the operation check being performed by the operation check server 11 should be updated, it requests the operation check server 11 to update the content of the operation check (ST24).

[0056] When the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 receives an update request from the analysis server 12, it updates the implementation test script 32 as the operation check to be performed in response to the update request. For example, in response to the update request from the analysis server 12, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 updates the content of the implementation test script 32 with a test script in the test script database 36, thereby updating the content of the operation check to be performed.

[0057] This allows the operation check server to update the contents of the operation check based on the analysis of the operation check results by the analysis server, improving the quality of the operation check and the accuracy of detecting problems with IC cards during the operation check, thereby reducing the burden on card issuers in dealing with problems with IC cards.

[0058] On the other hand, when the card issuer 3 receives an IC card (recovered from the user) sent by the user for replacement, the card issuer 3 sends the recovered IC card to its technical department. The technical department of the card issuer 3 performs a detailed physical and software inspection of the IC card recovered from the user to identify or estimate the specific details of the defect (ST25). The card issuer 3 accumulates defect information indicating the details of the defect identified or estimated by inspecting the recovered IC card in the information processing device 30, and transmits it from the information processing device 30 to the analysis server 12 (ST26).

[0059] The analysis server 12 acquires defect information indicating defects that have occurred in the collected IC card from the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3 via the communication interface 56. When the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires the defect information regarding the collected IC card from the card issuer 3, it analyzes the acquired defect information (ST27).

[0060] For example, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes the malfunction information by comparing the malfunction information with the operation check result to determine whether there is a problem with the operation check performed by the operation check server 11. If there is a problem with the operation check performed by the operation check server 11, the processor 51 formulates measures (for example, updating the contents of the operation check) to accurately verify the malfunction indicated by the malfunction information.

[0061] When the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 updates the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 based on the analysis of the defect information from the card issuer 3, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 requests the operation check server 11 to update the operation check to be performed (ST28). When the analysis server 12 requests the operation check server 11 to update the operation check, the operation check server 11 updates the implementation test script 32 in response to the update request.

[0062] This allows the operation checking server 11 to update the contents of the operation check (simple operation check) of the IC card that is performed online in response to defects discovered during inspection of the collected IC card. As a result, the accuracy of the operation check (simple operation check) of the IC card by the operation checking server 11 can be improved, and the burden of card inspection, etc. on the card issuer can be reduced.

[0063] In addition, the operation check server 11 not only updates the contents of the operation check (simple operation check) performed in response to an update request from the analysis server 12, but also has a function (automatic update function) to update the operation check contents based on the operation check results stored in the operation check result database (storage unit) 37 of its own data management function 35 (ST29).

[0064] For example, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 may perform an update process to extract test items that have resulted in a failure (Fail) from the accumulated operation check results, and add test scripts corresponding to test items related to test items with a large number of Fails to the implemented test script 32 for each test item. This allows the operation check server to perform operation checks that include more test items related to test items with a large number of failures, thereby improving the quality of the operation checks. As a result, the accuracy of detecting IC card defects during operation checks is improved, thereby reducing the burden on card issuers in dealing with IC card defects.

[0065] Next, the analysis process performed by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the failure trend analysis process performed by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation check system according to this embodiment. As explained above in ST21, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 executes a defect trend analysis process for analyzing the tendency of defects occurring in the IC card based on multiple operation check results. The process explained below with reference to Fig. 6 is an example of a process corresponding to ST21-22 shown in Fig. 5.

[0066] The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires the operation check result from the operation check server 11 each time the operation check server 11 performs online operation check (simple operation check) on the IC card C presented by the user (ST31). When the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires the operation check result from the operation check server 11, the processor 51 stores the acquired operation check result in the data memory 54 (ST32).

[0067] After storing the operation check results in the data memory 54, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 executes a process of analyzing the tendency of malfunctions based on the operation check results stored in the data memory 54 (ST33). The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 may perform the analysis process of the tendency of malfunctions at a predetermined cycle, in response to an instruction from an administrator, or when the number of stored operation check results reaches a predetermined number.

[0068] For example, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 extracts test items that have been determined to be defective from the results of each operation check and counts the number of defective cases for each test item. The processor 51 identifies the tendency of defects in the IC cards confirmed in the simplified operation check based on the number of defects or the occurrence rate of defects for each test item. Here, the processor 51 determines that the tendency of defects has been discovered (identified) when the number of defects or the occurrence rate of defects for a specific test item is greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0069] If the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 determines a trend in the malfunction (ST34, YES), it shares with the card issuer 3 the analysis result indicating the trend in the malfunction determined from the operation check result (ST35). For example, if the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 can identify a trend in the malfunction (ST34, YES), it transmits the analysis result indicating the trend in the malfunction determined from the operation check result to the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3. However, if the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 does not determine a trend in the malfunction (ST34, NO), it may transmit information indicating the analysis result of the trend in the malfunction determined from the operation check result to the information processing device 30 of the card issuer 3.

[0070] According to the above-described defect trend analysis process, the analysis server can summarize the defect detection status confirmed by the simple operation check of the IC card performed online by the user and present the defect detection status to the card issuer. In addition, the card issuer can easily know the defect trend confirmed by the simple operation check of the IC card performed online by the user.

[0071] Next, the analysis process performed by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the analysis process of the operation check content by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation check system according to this embodiment. As explained above in ST23, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 executes an analysis process of the operation check content, which analyzes the content of the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 based on multiple operation check results. The process explained below with reference to Fig. 7 is an example of the process corresponding to ST23-24 shown in Fig. 5.

[0072] The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires the operation check result from the operation check server 11 each time the operation check server 11 performs online operation check (simple operation check) on the IC card C presented by the user (ST41). When the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires the operation check result from the operation check server 11, the processor 51 stores the acquired operation check result in the data memory 54 (ST42).

[0073] After storing the operation check results in the data memory 54, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes the contents of the operation check that was performed based on the operation check results stored in the data memory 54 (ST43). The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 may perform the analysis process of the operation check contents at a predetermined interval, may perform the analysis process in response to an instruction from an administrator, or may perform the analysis process when the number of stored operation check results reaches a predetermined number.

[0074] Furthermore, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes the operation check content to determine whether the performed operation check was appropriate for efficiently and accurately checking for defects. For example, the processor 51 extracts test items determined to be defective from each operation check result and identifies test items for which the number of defective cases is greater than a predetermined reference value. If there is a test item for which the number of defective cases is greater than the predetermined reference value, the processor 51 determines that an update is required to add test items related to the test item to the operation check content to be performed. Furthermore, the processor 51 may determine that an update of the operation check content is not required if there is no test item for which the number of defective cases is greater than the predetermined reference value.

[0075] If the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 determines from the analysis that the content of the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 should be updated (ST44, YES), it requests the operation check server 11 to update the content of the operation check (ST45). For example, the processor 51 requests the operation check server 11 to update the performed test script 32 by adding test scripts corresponding to test items related to test items in which the number of defects was greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0076] The processor 41 of the operation check server 11 updates the implementation test script 32 in response to an update request from the analysis server 12. As a specific example, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 selects from the test script database 36 a test script for a test item requested to be added by the analysis server 12 and adds the test script 32 to update the content of the operation check to be performed.

[0077] According to the above-described analysis process of the operation check content, the analysis server can improve the quality of the operation checks it performs by analyzing multiple operation check results. The operation check server can update the operation check content based on the analysis of the operation check content by the analysis server, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting IC card defects through operation checks. As a result, the burden on card issuers for dealing with IC card defects can be reduced.

[0078] Next, the analysis process of defect information by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the defect information analysis process performed by the analysis server 12 of the management system 1 as the operation checking system according to this embodiment. As explained above in ST27, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 executes a defect information analysis process for analyzing defect information indicating defects identified by inspecting the IC card collected from the user. The process described below with reference to Fig. 8 is an example of a process corresponding to ST26-28 shown in Fig. 5.

[0079] The processor 51 of the analysis server 12 acquires defect information related to the IC card collected from the user from the card issuer 3 (ST51). Upon acquiring the defect information, the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 analyzes whether an operation check appropriate for checking the defect indicated by the defect information has been performed based on the acquired defect information and the operation check result of the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 (ST52). For example, the processor 51 compares the defect information with the operation check result to determine whether the defect indicated by the defect information was confirmed by the operation check. In this case, if the defect indicated by the defect information was not confirmed by the operation check, the processor 51 determines that there is a problem with the performed operation check, and if the defect indicated by the defect information was confirmed by the operation check, the processor 51 determines that there is no problem with the performed operation check.

[0080] If the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 determines that there is a problem with the operation check (ST53, YES), it identifies the problem with the operation check performed by the operation check server 11 and formulates measures to resolve the problem (ST54). In other words, the processor 51 formulates measures to enable the detection of defects indicated by the defect information that could not be detected in the performed operation check.

[0081] When the processor 51 of the analysis server 12 formulates measures to solve the problems in the operation check being performed, it implements the formulated measures (ST55). For example, the processor 51 formulates measures to add a test script for a test item to check for a defect that could not be confirmed in the performed operation check to the execution test script 32, and transmits an update request to the operation check server 11 requesting that the test script for checking for the defect be added to the test script 32. The operation check server 11 updates the content of the operation check to be performed by updating the execution test script 32 in response to the update request from the analysis server 12.

[0082] According to the above process, the analysis server analyzes IC card defect information provided by the card issuer, thereby implementing measures that can improve the accuracy of the operation check performed by the operation check server. Furthermore, the operation check server 11 can update the contents of the operation check in response to an update request from the analysis server 12 that analyzed the defect information, thereby enabling the operation check to check for defects that had not been checked before. As a result, the operation check server 11 can improve the accuracy of detecting IC card defects through operation check, and reduce the burden on the card issuer in dealing with IC card defects.

[0083] Next, the update process of the operation check content by the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the operation check content update process performed by the operation check server 11 as the operation check device according to this embodiment. As explained in ST29 above, the operation check server 11 may update the contents of the operation check (simple operation check) based on the accumulated operation check results, not limited to an update request from the analysis server 12. The process explained below with reference to Fig. 9 is an example of the process corresponding to ST29 shown in Fig. 5.

[0084] The processor 41 of the operation check server 11 performs an operation check on the IC card C that has become communicable via the user terminal 21 and the reader / writer 22 connected via the network (ST61). The processor 41 performs an operation check on the IC card by executing a test script set in the execution test script 32.

[0085] Every time the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 performs an operation check on the IC card C, it stores the results of the operation check in the operation check result database 37 as the operation check result (ST62).

[0086] After storing the operation check results in the operation check result database 37, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 updates the operation check (self-update process) based on the operation check results stored in the database 37 at a predetermined timing (ST43). For example, the processor 41 may perform the self-update process of the operation check at a predetermined interval, may perform it in response to an instruction from an administrator, or may perform it when the number of stored operation check results reaches a predetermined number.

[0087] When executing the self-update process for operation check, the processor 41 of the operation check server 11 extracts a plurality of operation check results from the operation check result database 37 (ST63). The processor 41 extracts test items that have been determined to be failed (Fail) from each of the extracted operation check results, and determines whether there is any test item for which the number of failed cases is greater than a predetermined reference value (ST64).

[0088] If there is no test item with a number of defects greater than the predetermined reference value (ST64, NO), the processor 51 of the operation check server 11 ends the process without updating the operation check content.

[0089] Furthermore, if there is a test item with a number of defects greater than a predetermined reference value (YES in ST64), the processor 51 of the operation check server 11 selects a test script (related test script) corresponding to a test item related to the test item from the test script database 36 (ST65). The processor 51 adds the selected test script to the execution test script 32, thereby updating the content of the operation check to be performed (ST66).

[0090] According to the above process, the operation check server as an operation check device can identify frequently occurring defects from multiple operation check results and update the operation check so that frequently occurring defects can be checked with precision, thereby improving the quality of the operation check. As a result, since defects in IC cards can be checked with precision and ease through user operation, the burden on card issuers in dealing with IC card defects can be reduced.

[0091] The functions described in the above embodiments can be realized not only by hardware but also by software by loading a program describing each function into a computer. Furthermore, each function may be realized by selecting either software or hardware as appropriate.

[0092] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...Management system (operation confirmation system), 11...Operation confirmation server, 12...Analysis server, 21...User terminal, 22...Reader / writer, 31...Operation confirmation function, 32...Implemented test script, 33...Test environment, 35...Data management function, 36...Test script database, 37...Operation confirmation result database (storage unit), 41...Processor (first processor), 44...Data memory, 45...Communication interface (first communication interface), 46...Communication interface (second communication interface), 51...Processor (second processor), 54...Data memory, 55...Communication interface (third communication interface), 56...Communication interface (fourth communication interface).

Claims

1. An operation confirmation device for confirming the operation of a portable electronic device, a communication interface for communicating over a network; a processor that communicates with a user terminal via a network using the communication interface and a portable electronic device to be tested via a reader / writer connected to the user terminal, causes the portable electronic device to be tested to execute an operation check process, and transmits an operation check result based on the execution result of the operation check process by the portable electronic device to a predetermined notification destination; An operation confirmation device having the above.

2. the portable electronic device is an IC card; The operation checking device according to claim 1 .

3. the processor updates the content of the operation check process in response to an update request from an analysis device that analyzes defect information indicating a defect in the collected portable electronic device. The operation checking device according to claim 1 .

4. the processor transmits the operation check result to an analysis device, and updates the content of the operation check process in response to an update request based on the operation check result from the analysis device. The operation checking device according to claim 1 .

5. the processor identifies a process to be added to the operation check process based on the operation check result, and adds the identified process to the operation check process. The operation checking device according to claim 1 .

6. An operation confirmation system having an operation confirmation device and an analysis device, The operation confirmation device a first communication interface for communicating over a network; a second communication interface for communicating with the analytical device; a first processor that communicates with a user terminal via a network using the first communication interface and a portable electronic device to be tested via a reader / writer connected to the user terminal, causes the portable electronic device to be tested to execute an operation check process, and transmits an operation check result based on a result of execution of the operation check process by the portable electronic device to the analysis device using the second communication interface; The analysis device a third communication interface for communicating with the operation confirmation device; a fourth communication interface for communicating via a network; a second processor that analyzes the operation check result received from the operation check device via the third communication interface and transmits an analysis result to a predetermined notification destination via the fourth communication interface; An operation confirmation system having the above.

7. the second processor of the analysis device analyzes a trend of a malfunction of the portable electronic device confirmed by the operation check based on the operation check result, and transmits an analysis result including information indicating the analyzed trend of the malfunction to the predetermined notification destination. The operation checking system according to claim 6 .

8. the second processor of the analysis device transmits to the operation confirmation device an update request indicating an update content of the operation confirmation based on defect information indicating a defect of the collected portable electronic device received via the fourth communication interface; the first processor of the operation confirmation device updates the content of the operation confirmation process in response to an update request from the analysis device. The operation checking system according to claim 6 .

9. the second processor of the analysis device transmits to the operation confirmation device an update request indicating an update content of the operation confirmation based on the operation confirmation result; the first processor of the operation confirmation device updates the content of the operation confirmation process in response to an update request from the analysis device. The operation checking system according to claim 6 .

10. 1. A method for checking the operation of a portable electronic device, comprising: the operation checking device communicates with a user terminal via a network and with the portable electronic device to be tested via a reader / writer connected to the user terminal; the operation checking device causes the portable electronic device to perform an operation checking process; the operation checking device transmits an operation checking result based on a result of execution of the operation checking process by the portable electronic device to be tested to a predetermined notification destination; An operation confirmation method having the above.

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