DEVICE WITH A SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE INTERFACE AND METHOD THEREFOR

Description

Technical field

[0001] A device comprising a subscriber identity module interface configured to manage a plurality of subscriber identity modules and a corresponding method are described. The technical field includes but is not limited to devices, such as, for example, meters, connected to a communication network. Technical background

[0002] There are many devices that include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), which is required for devices to access a communications network. In some applications, such a module is attached, for example by soldering, to a printed circuit board of a device in a way that makes it difficult to remove. When the device has only one interface for such a module, implementing a second module is not easy - for example, the initial module must be unsoldered and replaced with the second module. A solution that allows easier use of a second module is desirable.

[0003] Documents CN 108 416 928 A, US 2013 / 260830 A1 and US 11 363 445 B2 relate to the technical field of the invention. Summary

[0004] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0005] One or more embodiments relate to a device comprising: ∘ an interface for a subscriber identification module; ∘ a first subscriber identification module connected to said interface; ∘ a connector adapted to connect a second subscriber identification module to said interface when the second module is present in the connector; ∘ a presence detector configured to generate a presence signal of the second module in the connector; ∘ a means for inhibiting the first module as a function of the presence signal, the device being configured to operate with the second module when the first module is inhibited, the inhibiting means being configured to inhibit a module by setting a data input / output of said module to a high impedance state, by applying a signal corresponding to an active state to an initialization signal input of the module to be inhibited.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a data bus interconnecting a data input / output of the interface, the input / output of the first module and an input / output of the connector which functionally cooperates with a data input / output of the second module when the second module is present in the connector; a clock signal bus interconnecting a clock signal output of the interface, a clock signal input of the first module and an input of the connector which functionally cooperates with a clock signal input of the second module when the second module is present in the connector.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the inhibition means comprises a circuit controlled by the presence signal to automatically inhibit the first module when the second module is present in the connector, the device then operating with the second module via said interface.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the circuit is controlled by the presence signal to automatically disinhibit the first module when the second module is removed from the connector, the device then operating with the first module via said interface.

[0009] According to one embodiment, an initialization signal output of the interface is connected to a first input of the connector, the connector being adapted to connect the first input to an initialization signal input of the second module when the second module is present in the connector; a resistor is connected between the initialization signal input of the second module and the initialization signal output of the interface, the resistor being adapted to allow said interface to command an initialization of the second module when it is present in the connector and the first module is inhibited; and command an initialization of the first module when the second module is not present in the connector and the first module is not inhibited.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the inhibiting means comprises a processor receiving the presence signal, the processor being configured to selectively inhibit, respectively disinhibit one of the first and second modules and disinhibit, respectively inhibit the other of the first and second modules, when the second module is present in the connector, the device being configured to operate with the disinhibited module.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the processor is configured to implement at least one of: a first mode in which the first module is automatically inhibited in the event of the presence of the second module in the connector and automatically disinhibited in the event of removal of the second module from the connector; a second mode in which, when the second module is present in the connector, the inhibition of the first module is carried out following receipt of confirmation from a user and the disinhibition is carried out either automatically in the event of removal of the second module from the connector, or upon receipt of a command from a user.

[0012] One or more embodiments relate to a method implemented by a device comprising an interface for a subscriber identification module; a first subscriber identification module connected to said interface; a connector adapted to connect a second subscriber identification module to said interface when the second module is present in the connector; a processor and a memory comprising software code which when executed by the processor, causes the device to implement the method, the method comprising: detecting the presence of the second module in the connector; inhibiting the first module based on the presence signal; and when the first module is inhibited, operating the device with the second module, inhibition comprising setting a data input / output of the module to be inhibited to a high impedance state, by applying a signal corresponding to an active state to an initialization signal input.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the method comprises the selective inhibition, respectively the disinhibition of one of the first and the second module; disinhibition, respectively inhibition of the other of the first and second modules; and operation with the disinhibited module.

[0014] One or more embodiments relate to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of a device, cause that device to implement the described method.

[0015] One or more embodiments relate to a recording medium readable by a device having a processor, said medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of a device, cause this device to implement the described method. Brief description of the figures

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which one will refer to the attached drawings among which: there Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a device according to a first non-limiting embodiment; the Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for implementing the device of the Figure 1 according to a non-limiting example of embodiment; Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a device according to a second non-limiting embodiment; the Figure 4is a flowchart of a method for implementing the device of the Figure 3 according to a non-limiting example of embodiment. Detailed description

[0017] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals. Unless otherwise indicated, diagrams are not necessarily to scale.

[0018] The block diagrams and flowcharts in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of systems, devices, processes, and computer program products according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Each block in a block diagram or each step in a flowchart may represent a module or a portion of software code comprising instructions for implementing one or more functions. In some implementations, the order of the blocks or steps may be changed, or the corresponding functions may be implemented in parallel. The process blocks or steps may be implemented using circuitry, software, or a combination of circuitry and software, in a centralized manner, or in a distributed manner, for all or some of the blocks or steps.The systems, devices, methods and methods described may be modified, added to and / or deleted within the scope of this disclosure. For example, components of a device or system may be integrated or separated. Also, the described functions may be implemented using more or fewer components or steps, or with other components or through other steps. Any suitable data processing system may be used for the implementation. For example, a suitable data processing system or device includes a combination of software code and circuitry, such as a processor, controller or other circuitry suitable for executing the software code. When the software code is executed, the processor or controller causes the system or device to implement some or all of the functionalities of the blocks and / or steps of the methods or processes according to the exemplary embodiments.Software code may be stored in memory or a readable medium accessible directly or through another module by the processor or controller.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments, a device comprises a subscriber identification module interface. Several subscriber identification modules are connected to this interface. In operation, the device is adapted to inhibit all but one of these modules. The interface then allows communication with the active module, i.e., the uninhibited module.

[0020] For purely illustrative purposes, the device is, for example, a device that requires a connection to a communications network, such as a cellular network. Such a network may require the implementation of a subscriber identification module for access to services. The device is, for example, a connected meter for electricity, water, gas, etc.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments, a data signal input / output and a clock signal output of the interface are connected to the modules and the related signals are sent to all the modules. The device is configured so that an initialization signal output of the interface can be forced to a given voltage level for the modules to be inhibited, this voltage level implying that the data signal input / output of these modules is put in a high impedance state, which corresponds to an inhibition. Only the module which must be active is not inhibited.

[0022] The inhibition may, according to certain embodiments, be produced by a purely hardware arrangement, or by the combination of a hardware arrangement and appropriate software.

[0023] In the following, the case of two subscriber identification modules will be considered. According to one or more embodiments implementing management using a hardware assembly, a first module being already connected to the interface, the second module being added later, the detection of the presence of the second module (for example a module inserted removably in a connector connected to the interface) will cause the production, by an appropriate hardware assembly, of a signal at the given voltage level mentioned above on the initialization signal input of the first module. According to one or more embodiments implementing combined hardware and software management, a component (for example a microcontroller) will be controlled by software to produce an appropriate signal on the initialization signal input of the module chosen to be inhibited.

[0024] In some implementations, one module may have different or additional functionality than the other module.

[0025] The use of the second module may be necessary for example in the following use cases: A test with a network simulator or test tool, the second module being a SIM card dedicated to this test. A connection to a network not accessible with the first module, for example in the context of validation or certification tests of the device and where the second module provides access to this network. An expertise aimed at determining the cause of a malfunction (determination of whether it is a network problem; a fault in the subscriber identification module or the component controlling this module, etc.) without having to unsolder and, if necessary, resolder the first module. A comparative test of the first and second modules. In the case where a device is equipped with two SIM card interfaces, the second interface may have functionality limitations, compared to the first interface, the advantage then being to be able to connect the first and second modules to the same interface and to be able to test both modules under the same conditions.The device's embedded software may also only take into account a single module in the case of normal use.

[0026] The device according to one or more embodiments makes it possible to avoid having to remove the first module to replace it with the second module, which could require desoldering the first module and soldering the second module, or soldering a connector into which the second module or a card carrying the second module can be inserted. In this case, the first module would have to be replaced at the end of the test. This could result in damage to the first module, other components of the device or even the printed circuit, following repeated handling.

[0027] According to one or more embodiments, switching between modules may be done automatically, for example by detecting the presence and / or absence of the second module, or alternatively require one or more actions from a user, for example one or more activation or deactivation actions. These two embodiments will be described separately.

[0028] The first module is, for example, typically a SIM module that is intended to be fixed in the device. 'Fixed' means that the first module is not intended to be removed from the device during normal operation. For example, the first module is soldered to a printed circuit board of the device, or to a suitable socket in the device, during the device's manufacture. This may prevent the first module from being inadvertently removed. In another context, the first module may be removed from the device, but this is undesirable for certain reasons. For example, if the device is experiencing operational problems, removing the first module may prevent or disrupt tests being performed to determine the cause of the problems.

[0029] The first module is for example of the 'eSIM' type, that is to say a discrete component that can be directly soldered onto a printed circuit or onto a suitable support of the device, but the first module can also be placed on a support to form a microprocessor card, for example of the 'MiniSIM', 'MicroSIM' or 'NanoSim' type or even a conventional microprocessor card the size of a credit card, and be inserted into an appropriate connector of the device.

[0030] The second module is, for example, placed on a support to form an easily handled microprocessor card, for example of the 'MiniSIM', 'MicroSIM' or 'NanoSim' type or even a classic microprocessor card the size of a credit card.

[0031] However, it is not excluded that the second module will be of the eSIM type. First embodiment

[0032] According to the first embodiment, the inhibition of the first subscriber identification module is carried out by means of an appropriate hardware assembly. A hardware management of inhibition of the first subscriber identification module makes it possible to exclude, or at least limit, the adaptations necessary to the embedded software.

[0033] There Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary device 100 according to a first embodiment. The device comprises a printed circuit board 101 having a component 102, a first subscriber identification module 103 and a connector 104 adapted for the connection of a second subscriber identification module 105.

[0034] The component 102 comprises an interface 106 for a subscriber identification module provided with several inputs and / or outputs for communicating with, on the one hand, the first module 103 or, when connected via the connector 104, the second module 105. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the component 102 is a modem, but another type of component can be used to control the subscriber identification modules through an appropriate interface, depending on the intended application. For example, the component 102 can be a microcontroller. When the component 102 is a modem, the latter communicates with a subscriber identification module to be able to access the services of the communication network to which the subscription gives access.

[0035] The device is configured so that the insertion of the second module 105 into the connector has the effect of inhibiting the first module 103, thus allowing the component 102 to interact with the second module 105 through the single interface 106 for the subscriber identification module of the component 102. The second module 105 can be placed on a support 113 to be more easily handled, the whole forming a subscriber identification module card or SIM card.

[0036] The interface 106 of the component comprises a bidirectional data input / output 102-DATA, an initialization signal output 102-RST and a clock signal output 102-CLK. The first module 103 comprises a bidirectional data input / output 103-DATA, an initialization signal input 103-RST and a clock signal input 103-CLK. The connector 104 comprises an input / output 104-DATA, an input 104-RST and an input 104-CLK which, when the second module 105 is inserted into the connector, are connected to the corresponding contacts of the second module, respectively 105-DATA, 105-RST and 105-CLK. RST, DATA and CLK lines of the printed circuit 101 and respectively referenced 107, 108 and 109 connect the respective inputs and / or outputs of the component 102, of the first module 103 and of the connector 104. A resistor 116 is inserted between the initialization signal output 102-RST of the component 102 and the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module.

[0037] Optionally, the signal indicating the presence of the second module generated by the connector 104 reaches the component 102 through a line 112 connected to an input 102-PRESENCE of the interface 106 of the component 102.

[0038] The connector 104 includes, in a known manner, other contacts necessary for the operation of an inserted module (supply voltage, ground, etc.) which will not be detailed here.

[0039] The device inhibits the first module 103 when the second module 105 is detected in the connector 104 using a suitable assembly. According to the embodiment of the Figure 1, in case of detection of the second module, the inhibition comprises setting the data bus of the first module to a high impedance state. In the context of the present example, the behavior of a module in case of application of a low level signal to the initialization signal input is that the data input / output of this module is set to high impedance. The initialization process of a module is triggered by a rising edge on the initialization signal input - however, as long as a low level signal is maintained on the initialization signal input, the data input / output of the module remains at high impedance. The first module is thus inhibited, without having to be removed - the first module can in particular remain connected to the clock signal line and to the data line.

[0040] The connector 104 comprises a module presence detector 110 which, when the second module 105 is inserted into the connector, generates a signal indicative of the presence of the second module in the connector (output 104-PRESENCE). According to the present embodiment, this signal is low when a module is present and high otherwise. The presence detector can take different forms, for example it can comprise in a manner known per se a simple limit switch which closes when the second module is fully inserted into the connector.

[0041] In the active (low) state, the signal indicative of the presence of the second module in the connector closes a switch 111. In the closed state, the switch 111 connects a voltage representative of a low level (voltage at 0V, ground) to the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module 103. In the open state, the output of the switch to the initialization input 103-RST of the first module is in high impedance.

[0042] When the second module is not inserted into the connector, switch 111 is in a state where the initialization signal generated by the component reaches the first module through resistor 116. When the second module is inserted, switch 111 forces the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module to zero. However, the presence of resistor 116 prevents a signal generated by component 102 at the initialization signal output 102-RST from being forced to zero. Resistor 116 is sized accordingly - in a particular implementation, it is, for example, 2.2 kOhms.

[0043] Other hardware implementations for forcing the initialization signal input of the first module to zero when this first module must be inhibited can of course be envisaged by the person skilled in the art, without the resistor 116. For example, it is possible to implement a single input / output dual switch having as first input a voltage source at the active voltage of the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module and as second input the signal 102-RST of the interface of the component 102, and as output the initialization signal input 103-RST, the switch being controlled by the presence signal 104-PRESENCE of the connector 104.

[0044] The device according to the embodiment of the Figure 1also includes a processor 114 and a memory 115 comprising software code configured to enable operation of the device as described. The memory 115 comprises, for example, the code of application software executed by the processor 114.

[0045] There Figure 2 is a flowchart that details an example of how the device works. Figure 1. According to this example, at E201, the device 100 operates with the first module, which is active. The input of the initialization signal 103-RST is not forced into its active state by the assembly controlled by the presence signal of the second module generated where appropriate by the connector 104. In the absence of the second module, the first module is not inhibited. The component 102 controls the first module through its interface 106. This situation continues as long as no module is inserted into the connector 104 (negative test E202). When the presence of the second module is detected (positive test E202), the first module is inhibited. At E203, the input of the initialization signal 103-RST is then forced into its active state (low signal in this example) by the assembly controlled by the presence signal of the second module, resulting in the high impedance of the data input / output of the first module and consequently the inhibition of this first module.The second module is fully connected to the component 102 by the interface 106 and the component 102 can communicate with the second module and in particular activate it (E204) by performing an initialization. The device then operates with the second module (E205). This situation continues as long as the second module is not removed from the connector 104 (negative test in E206). If the second module is removed (positive test in E206), then the presence signal changes state and the first module becomes active again (E201).

[0046] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the component 102 does not use the presence signal generated by the connector 104 in the management of the subscriber identification modules. The component 102 can optionally use this signal to manage a removal / reinsertion of the first module when the device is powered on, in the case where the first module is extractable.

[0047] The component implements a protocol that allows it to move from one module to another.

[0048] Two cases are to be considered, taking the example where component 102 is a modem: (a) The second subscriber identification module was inserted when the device was powered off. a.1. When powered on, the first module is automatically inhibited by the control of switch 111 by the presence signal of the second module. a.2. The application software initializes the modem (component 102 in this example). a.3. Once the modem has been initialized, the application software interrogates the modem to find out the status of the subscriber identification module connected to the modem interface, in this case the second module. The modem indicates in return whether the module is operational, whether it is blocked, whether a PIN or PUK code is required, or whether there is no subscriber identification module. ∘ If the second subscriber identification module is operational, the modem can, using the information contained in the second module (operator identifier, network identifier, roaming identifier, etc.)) connect to the identified communication network and operate normally. ∘ If no module is detected (for example if the second module is defective, or if a printed circuit connected to a remote module connector is inserted into the connector 104, without a module having been inserted into the remote connector), the application software restarts the initialization of the component 102 until a module is detected (points a.2. and a.3. above). a.4. When operation with a second module is no longer useful, the device is powered down, the second module is removed and, if necessary, the device is powered up again. (b) The second subscriber identification module is inserted when the device is powered up (so-called 'hot' insertion).The application software will then have already carried out the initialization sequence of the modem, which is in a normal operating mode, namely whether it is connected or not to a network based on the information contained in the first module. b.1. Following the insertion of the second module, the first module is automatically inhibited by the control of the switch 111 by the presence signal of the second module. b.2. The modem (component 102) detects that communication with the first module is lost. The modem then disconnects from the network to which it was possibly previously connected. This information is sent to the application software, which triggers a reset of the modem (or at least of its interface with the subscriber identification module). b.3. Once the modem has been initialized, the application software interrogates the modem to find out the state of the subscriber identification module connected to the modem interface, in this case the second module.The modem indicates in return whether the module is operational, whether it is blocked, whether a PIN or PUK code is required, or whether there is no subscriber identification module. ∘ If the second subscriber identification module is operational, the modem can, using the information contained in the second module (operator identifier, network identifier, roaming, etc.), connect to the identified communication network and operate normally. ∘ If no module is detected (for example, if the second module is defective), the application software restarts the initialization of the component 102 until a module is detected (points a.2. and a.3. above). b.4. If the second module is removed while the device is powered on, the modem detects that communication with the second module is lost. The modem then disconnects from the network to which it may have previously been connected.This information is sent back to the application software, which triggers a reset of the modem (or at least of its interface with the subscriber identification module), and the modem restarts with the information contained in the first module.

[0049] The implementation example described above makes it possible to manage the inhibition of the first module with few components. In addition, it is expected that the inhibition of the first module and the replacement, at the interface level of the first module by the second module, is such as to induce at the level of the component 102 and / or another component involved in the module management, a behavior leading to an initialization of the module becoming active. In the case of an insertion or a removal when the device is powered on, this initialization is triggered for example when the component 102 notes a loss of communication with the first module following the insertion of the second module, or when the component 102 notes a loss of communication with the second module following the extraction of the latter. Second embodiment

[0050] According to the second embodiment, the inhibition of the first subscriber identification module is carried out via a hardware assembly and a software implementation.

[0051] There Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary device according to the second embodiment. The device of the Figure 3 largely takes up the elements of the device illustrated by the Figure 1, apart from the elements generating the inhibition signal to the first module 103 based on the signal indicating the presence of the second module in the connector. The switch 111, its control line by the signal indicating the presence of the second module and the line connecting the output of the switch to the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module have been removed. Instead, the initialization signal input 103-RST of the first module is connected to an output 114-GPIO1 of the processor 114, while the input 104-RST of the second module is connected to an output 114-GPIO2 of the first module. A resistor 117, similar to the resistor 116 and having a similar role, is placed between the initialization signal output 102-RST of the component 102 and the input 104-RST of the component 104.A signal input 114-ITR of the processor retrieves the signal indicative of the presence of the second module and thus allows the processor to know whether or not the second module 105 is inserted into the connector 104.

[0052] According to an alternative embodiment, GPIO type signals for controlling the initialization of the modules are available directly at the level of the component 102, their function being controlled by the processor 114.

[0053] There Figure 4 is a flowchart that details an example of how the device works. Figure 3. According to this example, at E401, the device 100 activates the first module. The processor 114 does not force the input of the initialization signal of the second module to zero - the first module is therefore active and the component 102 controls all the signals of the first module, including for the initialization phase of the first module. Once this phase is completed, at E402, the device operates normally with the first module. At E403, a test is performed by the processor 114 to determine whether the first module 105 is present.

[0054] If the test is negative, the device continues to operate with the first module (return to E402). If the test in E403 is positive and the device is in automatic switching mode to the second module upon detection of its presence, a process of inhibiting the first module is triggered in E406. If the test in E403 is positive and the device is not in automatic switching mode to the second module, a switching confirmation is requested from a user of the device in E405. This confirmation can be obtained in various ways, for example by displaying a yes / no choice in a window displayed on a screen connected to or integral part of the device 100.

[0055] If the switching is not confirmed, the device continues to operate with the first module (return to E402). If the switching is confirmed, the process of inhibiting the first module is triggered at E406. In particular, the processor forces the initialization signal input of the first module to zero by generating an adequate signal on the 114-GPIO1 output. The second module is then activated at E407 - the 114-GPIO2 output is set to high impedance. The component 102 controls all the signals of the second module, including for the initialization phase of the second module. At E408, the second module is active and the device operates normally with the second module. If the processor 114 detects that the second module has been removed (positive test at E409), the processor reactivates the first module (return to E401). The choice can also be offered to a user to inhibit the second module without it having to be removed.In case of a positive response (positive choice in E410), the second module is inhibited (E411). In particular, the processor forces the input of the initialization signal 104-RST to zero by generating an adequate voltage on 114-GPIO2, then returns to the activation of the first module (return to E401). If the second module is not removed and the user does not choose to deactivate this module, the device continues to operate with the second module (return to E408).

[0056] The device of the Figure 3 gives the user control over switching between the first module and the second module.

[0057] For example, according to one operating mode of the device, the user can choose the moment of switching from the first module to the second module, which is not automatic when the second module is inserted into the connector. According to one operating mode of the device, the user can choose to reactivate the first module even when the first module is still present in the connector. The device can also be programmed to operate in automatic switching mode, if desired. According to other exemplary embodiments not illustrated, it is possible to provide automatic switching when the second module is inserted and / or when it is removed.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment, the device comprises several fixed modules and not just one. Inserting a module into a connector of the device then inhibits all of the fixed modules.

[0059] Various advantages have been described in the foregoing. A specific embodiment may have only one or more of these advantages, but not necessarily all of them.

[0060] The inhibiting circuit may comprise one or more electronic components and / or one or more processors or controllers executing suitable software code. REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 100 - Device 101 - Printed circuit board 102 - Interface component for subscriber identification module 102-RST - Initialization signal output 102-DATA - Data input / output 102-CLK - Clock signal output 102-PRESENCE - Presence signal input of the second module 102-GPIO1 - Inhibit signal output 103 - First module 103-RST - Initialization signal input 103-DATA - Data input / output 103-CLK - Clock signal input 104 - Connector for second module 104-RST - Initialization signal input 104-DATA - Data input / output 104-CLK - Clock signal input 105 - Second module 105-RST - Initialization signal input 105-DATA - Input / output 105-CLK - Clock signal input 106 - Interface for subscriber identification module 107 - Initialization signal line / bus 108 - Data line / bus 109 - Clock signal line / bus 110 - Module presence detector 111 - Switch 112 - Data linepresence signal of the second module 113 - Support 114 - Processor 114-ITR - presence indicative signal input 114-GPIO1 - inhibition signal output of the first module 114-GPIO2 - inhibition signal output of the second module 115 - Memory 116 - Resistor 117 - Resistor

Claims

1. Device (100) comprising: ∘ an interface (106) for a subscriber identification module (103, 105); ∘ a first subscriber identification module (103) which is connected to said interface; ∘ a connector (104) suitable for connecting a second subscriber identification module (105) to said interface when the second module is present in the connector; ∘ a presence detector (110) configured to generate a presence signal (104-PRESENCE) for the second module in the connector; a means (111, 114) for inhibiting the first module based on the presence signal, the device being configured to operate with the second module when the first module is inhibited, ∘ characterized in that the inhibiting means is configured to inhibit a module by setting a data input / output (103-DATA, 105-DATA) of said module to a high impedance state, by applying a signal corresponding to an active state to an initialization signal input (103-RST, 105-RST) of the module to be inhibited.

2. Device according to claim 1, including: ∘ a data bus (108) interconnecting a data input / output (102-DATA) of the interface, the input / output (103-DATA) of the first module and an input / output (104-DATA) of the connector which functionally cooperates with a data input / output (105-DATA) of the second module when the second module is present in the connector; ∘ a clock signal bus (109) interconnecting a clock signal output (102-CLK) of the interface, a clock signal input (103-CLK) of the first module and an input (104-CLK) of the connector which functionally cooperates with a clock signal input (105-CLK) of the second module when the second module is present in the connector.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the inhibiting means comprises a circuit (114) controlled by the presence signal (104-PRESENCE) to automatically inhibit (E203) the first module when the second module is present in the connector, the device then operating with the second module via said interface.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the circuit is controlled by the presence signal (104) to automatically disinhibit the first module when the second module is removed from the connector, the device then operating with the first module via said interface.

5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein: - an initialization signal output (102-RST) of the interface is connected to a first input (104-RST) of the connector (104), the connector being suitable for connecting the first input to an initialization signal input (105-RST) of the second module when the second module is present in the connector; - a resistor (116) is connected between the initialization signal input (103-RST) of the second module and the initialization signal output (102-RST) of the interface, the resistor being suitable for allowing said interface to ∘ control an initialization of the second module when it is present in the connector and the first module is inhibited; and ∘ control an initialization of the first module when the second module is not present in the connector and the first module is not inhibited.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, the inhibiting means comprises a processor (114) receiving the presence signal (104-PRESENCE), the processor being configured to selectively inhibit and disinhibit, respectively, one of the first and second modules, and to disinhibit and inhibit, respectively, the other one of the first and second modules, when the second module is present in the connector, the device being configured to operate with the disinhibited module.

7. Device according to claim 6, the processor being configured to perform at least one of: a first mode in which the first module is automatically inhibited (E404) in the case where the second module is present in the connector and automatically disinhibited in the case where the second module is removed from the connector; a second mode in which, when the second module is present in the connector, the first module is inhibited following receipt of a confirmation (E405) from a user and disinhibited either automatically (E409) in the case where the second module is removed from the connector, or on receipt of a command from a user (E410).

8. Method performed by a device (100) comprising an interface (106) for a subscriber identification module (103, 105); a first subscriber identification module (103) connected to said interface; a connector (104) suitable for connecting a second subscriber identification module (105) to said interface when the second module is present in the connector; a processor (114) and a memory including software code which, when it is executed by the processor, brings the device to perform the method, the method comprising: ∘ detecting (E202) the presence of the second module in the connector; ∘ inhibiting (E203) the first module based on the presence signal; and ∘ when the first module is inhibited, operating the device with the second module; ∘ characterized in that the inhibition comprises setting a data input / output (103-DATA, 105-DATA) of the module to be inhibited to a high impedance state, by applying a signal corresponding to an active state to an initialization signal input (103-RST, 105-RST) of the module to be inhibited.

9. Method according to claim 8, comprising selectively inhibiting and disinhibiting, respectively, one of the first and second modules; disinhibiting and inhibiting, respectively, the other one of the first and second modules; and operating with the disinhibited module.

10. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of a device, bring this device to perform the method according to one of claims 8 or 9.

11. Storage medium readable by a device provided with a processor, said medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of a device, bring this device to perform the method according to one of claims 8 or 9.