Chip card comprising means and method for managing a virtual memory and associated communication method

A method for managing the memory in a chip card having information processing means (9) and main information storage means (10, 14), comprising the steps consisting of:

• detecting, during operation of the chip card, that the main information storage means (10, 14) contain a quantity of information such that execution of an operation is not possible;
• selecting, in the main information storage means, a set of information (K) to be unloaded, the unloading of said set being sufficient to release enough space in the main information storage means to allow execution of said operation;
• unloading the set of information (K) to be unloaded into secondary storage means (23 through 25;
• 42;
• 53), in the event that said secondary storage means do not contain said set of information to be unloaded.

A method for communication between a chip card and a chip card reader, the chip card comprising information processing means (9) and main information storage means (10, 14), comprising the steps of:

• transmitting from the card reader to the chip card an order to execute an operation;
• searching by the chip card to determine whether the chip card has enough space in the main information storage means to execute the operation;
• if enough space has been determined, sequentially executing by the card reader said operation, and transmitting an execution report to the card reader;
• or
• in the main information storage means a set of information (K) to be unloaded, the unloading of said set of information (K) being sufficient to release space in the main information storage means to allow the execution of said operation, then transmitting an unloading order to the reader to unload the set of information (K) to be unloaded into secondary storage means, wherein, in the event that said secondary storage means (23 through 25;
• 42;
• 53) do not contain said set of information to be unloaded, then
• executing said operation and
• transmitting an execution report to the reader.