Method implemented in an electronic entity and associated electronic entity
A method implemented in an electronic entity capable of implementing a plurality of applications includes the following steps: detecting an electrical signal (D; D′); reading, in a memory of the electronic entity, information relating, among the plurality of applications, to a previously selected application; and transmitting a command (CMD) to deliver an indication associated with the application to which the read information relates. An associated electronic entity is also described.
1. A method implemented in an electronic entity comprising a button and a processor and configured to implement a plurality of applications executable by said processor, said electronic entity comprising a memory storing information pointing, among said plurality of applications, to an application currently selected, the method comprising the following steps:
performing a selection process whereby several applications are successively selected by pressing the button;
ending the selection process when the time elapsed without actuating the button reaches a predetermined duration;
upon detecting an electrical signal, reading, in said memory, said information pointing, among said plurality of applications, to the application currently selected; and
transmitting a command to deliver an indication associated with the application pointed to by the read information.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical signal is generated by applying a voltage on an external contact of the electronic entity.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the external contact is flush with an external surface of the electronic entity.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the external contact is a contact of a contact interface which conforms with the standard ISO/IEC 7816.
5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the external contact is a contact of a contact interface which conforms with the standard ISO/IEC 7816.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical signal is generated by an antenna subjected to a magnetic field.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic entity comprises a microcontroller comprising said memory and wherein the reading and transmitting steps are implemented by said microcontroller.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of execution, by said processor, of the application currently selected.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the electronic entity comprises a microcontroller comprising said memory, wherein the reading and transmitting steps are implemented by said microcontroller, and wherein the processor is separate from the microcontroller.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic entity is a microcircuit card.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic entity comprises an indicator circuit and wherein the command to deliver an indication is transmitted to the indicator circuit.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the indicator circuit comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the indicator circuit is a display unit.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the command to deliver an indication is transmitted to an external electronic device comprising a display unit.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, at each selection of an application by pressing the button during the selection process, said information is modified.
16. An electronic entity configured to implement a plurality of applications and comprising:
a button;
a memory storing information pointing, among said plurality of applications, to an application currently selected;
a processor configured to execute the application currently selected; and
a microcontroller programmed to execute the following steps:
performing a selection process whereby several applications are successively selected by pressing the button;
ending the selection process when the time elapsed without actuating the button reaches a predetermined duration;
reading, in said memory and upon detecting an electrical signal, said information pointing, among said plurality of applications, to the application currently selected; and
transmitting a command to deliver an indication associated with the application pointed to by the read information.
17. A method implemented in an electronic entity comprising a button, a processor and a memory and configured to implement a plurality of applications executable by the processor, the method comprising the following steps:
performing a selection process whereby several applications are successively selected by pressing the button;
ending the selection process when the time elapsed without actuating the button reaches a predetermined duration;
storing information pointing to the application ultimately selected in said memory;
toggling into standby mode;
upon detecting an electrical signal, reading in said memory the stored information pointing to the selected application;
transmitting a command to deliver an indication associated with the application pointed to by the read information; and
executing, by the processor, the application pointed to by the read information.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein, at each selection of an application by pressing the button during the selection process, said information is modified.