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Abstract

A method and architecture for communication between a terminal (1) and a smart card, said terminal being operatively connected to a smart card reader (3) and a data transmission network (RI). The terminal includes an initial stack of network (RI) access protocol which consists of a specified number of communication software layers (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4). The said smart card (3) and said smart card reader comprise second and third protocol stacks, each consisting of at least lower order software communication layers (CC.sub.2 -CC.sub.1, CCa.sub.2 -CCa.sub.1), in order to allow data exchange between the smart card and said terminal (1). In a first preliminary phase, a first specific software item (23a) smart card (2a) functions as an interface for the lower layers (CCa.sub.2 -CCa.sub.1) of the third protocol stack and with at least one application (24a) registered in the smart card (2a). In a second preliminary phase, a second specific software item (13), functions as an interface with said lower layers (CC.sub.2 -CC.sub.1), of the second protocol stack and with specified layers of said first protocol stack (C.sub.2, C.sub.3), and is installed in the terminal (1). The first and second specific software items (13, and 23a) in addition comprise at least one pair of primary coupled software entities (132, 232a). Each of the entities (132 and 232a) cooperate with each other in order to allow for the establishment of a bi-directional data exchange session between the terminal (1) and said smart card (2a) and/or said data transmission network (RI), so that all or part of said data travels through said smart card (2a). The smart card may supply the terminal (1) with a predetermined virtual model which transforms the smart card (2a) into a server and/or client.

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First Claim