Apparatus And Method For A Communication Network

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, and method for a communication network. Certain embodiments provide an apparatus comprising: a first reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; a second reader configured to read a user insertable integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network; at least one memory storing computer program instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: generating a control signal responsive to removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader.

1 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus for a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
 a first reader configured to read a first integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network;   a second reader configured to read a second integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network;   at least one memory storing computer program instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform:   providing at least one service;   generating a control signal responsive to removal of the second integrated circuit from the second reader; and   carrying out a function responsive to the generated control signal wherein the function comprises causing the maintenance of the at least one service,   wherein the apparatus further comprises a detector to detect removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader and wherein the generation of a control signal is responsive to detection of the removal.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the second reader is arranged such that, in use, the second integrated circuit inserted therein is more accessible by a user for insertion and removal than the first integrated circuit associated with the first reader, wherein the first integrated circuit is not removable. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , further comprising an exterior housing, wherein:
 the apparatus is housed within the exterior housing, the exterior housing defining an aperture therethrough; and   the second reader is arranged such that the second integrated circuit is insertable therein through the aperture defined in the exterior housing.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the service comprises:
 running an application;   providing a communication function in an active state; and   any combination thereof.   
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein maintenance of the service comprising running an application comprises at least one of:
 saving a state of the application,   causing an application to suspend activities; and   any combination thereof.   
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein maintenance of the service providing a communication function in an active state comprises maintaining the active state of the communication function via the first integrated circuit upon detection of removal of the second integrated circuit. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform:
 causing a diversion of a communication directed to the second integrated circuit inserted in the second reader to the first integrated circuit in response to the generated control signal.   
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform:
 causing, a select communication function to be assignable to the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, or both the first and second integrated circuit;   detecting whether a integrated circuit assigned to the select communication function is not active, and, if it is not active;   storing the select communication function to be executed once the assigned integrated circuit is active.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform:
 connecting to a communication network associated with an integrated circuit inserted in one of the readers;   responsive to a trigger, disconnecting from the communication network and connecting to a communication network associated with an integrated circuit inserted in the other of the readers; and   wherein the trigger relates to at least one of: a time, a location of the apparatus or an initiation of a communication.   
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the first integrated circuit and second integrated circuit are configured to identify a user in a communications network and communication functions available to the user in the communications network. 
     
     
         52 . A method for a communication network, the method comprising:
 providing, in an apparatus comprising a first reader configured to read a first integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network and a second reader configured to read a second integrated circuit to identify a user in a communications network, at least one service;   generating a control signal responsive to removal of the second integrated circuit from the second reader; and   carrying out a function responsive to the generated control signal wherein the function comprises causing the maintenance of the at least one service,   wherein the apparatus further comprises a detector to detect removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader and wherein the generation of a control signal is responsive to detection of the removal.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the second reader is arranged such that, in use, the second integrated circuit inserted therein is more accessible by a user for insertion and removal than the first integrated circuit associated with the first reader, wherein the first integrated circuit is not removable. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an exterior housing, wherein:
 the apparatus is housed within the exterior housing, the exterior housing defining an aperture therethrough; and   the second reader is arranged such that the second integrated circuit is insertable therein through the aperture defined in the exterior housing.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the service comprises:
 running an application;   providing a communication function in an active state; and   any combination thereof.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein maintenance of the service comprising running an application comprises at least one of:
 saving a state of the application,   causing an application to suspend activities; and   any combination thereof.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein maintenance of the service providing a communication function in an active state comprises maintaining the active state of the communication function via the first integrated circuit upon detection of removal of the second integrated circuit. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising:
 causing a diversion of a communication directed to the second integrated circuit inserted in the second reader to the first integrated circuit in response to the generated control signal.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 causing, a select communication function to be assignable to the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, or both the first and second integrated circuit;   detecting whether a integrated circuit assigned to the select communication function is not active, and, if it is not active;   storing the select communication function to be executed once the assigned integrated circuit is active.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 connecting to a communication network associated with an integrated circuit inserted in one of the readers;   responsive to a trigger, disconnecting from the communication network and connecting to a communication network associated with an integrated circuit inserted in the other of the readers; and   wherein the trigger relates to at least one of: a time, a location of the apparatus or an initiation of a communication.   
     
     
         61 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising code for performing:
 providing, in an apparatus comprising a first reader configured to read a first integrated circuit configured to identify a user in a communications network and a second reader configured to read a second integrated circuit to identify a user in a communications network, at least one service;   generating a control signal responsive to removal of the second integrated circuit from the second reader; and   carrying out a function responsive to the generated control signal wherein the function comprises causing the maintenance of the at least one service,   wherein the apparatus further comprises a detector to detect removal of an integrated circuit from the second reader and wherein the generation of a control signal is responsive to detection of the removal.