Method and device for effecting a transaction between a first and at least one second data carrier and carrier used for this purpose

A method for effecting a transaction between at least one first plug-in data carrier having a microcircuit and at least one second data carrier, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing, independent of said first plug-in data carrier, a transaction device;
• (b) identifying, via said transaction device under the control of said first plug-in data carrier, compatibility between said first plug-in data carrier and said second data carrier;
• (c) transferring, as controlled by said first plug-in data carrier, data between said first plug-in data carrier and said second data carrier via said transaction device when said step (b) determines that said second data carrier is compatible with said first plug-in data carrier.

A connecting device, comprising:

• a connecting portion for electrically connecting said connecting device to a contact section of an interface device, said interface device including an interfacing circuit identifying, under control of a first plug-in data carrier connected to a second contact section, whether said connecting device is compatible with said first plug-in data carrier, and controlling data transfer between said first plug-in data carrier and said connecting device via said interfacing circuit under overall control of said first plug-in data carrier when said connecting device is identified as compatible with said first plug-in data carrier;
• and
• at least one slot for receiving a second plug-in data carrier so that said interface device can transfer data between said first and second plug-in data carriers.