Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A memory card comprising: memory means (100) capable of being initialized; and means (110, 120) for initializing said memory means upon receiving an initialization command, characterized by comprising: means (200) for counting the number of times said memory means is initialized by said initializing means; and initialization control means (210) for, when the number of times counted by said counting means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, inhibiting said initializing means from being operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
The memory card according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: means (160) for storing a key necessary for initializing said memory means; means (150) for verifying whether the a input by an operator coincides with the key stored in said storing means, and allowing said initializing means to be operated when both the keys coincide with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said memory means includes a flash erase type EEPROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said memory means includes a flash erase type EEPROM having a large number of memory cells, a predetermined number of memory cells of said large number of memory cells being set to a first level in an initial state and changed in sequence from the first level to a second level, and said initializing means simultaneously changes levels of said predetermined number of memory cells to the first level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said counting means includes an EPROM whose data is rewritten every initialization of said memory means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said counting means includes a large number of fuses, and one of said large number of fuses is cut off every initialization of said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said counting means includes a counter which is cleared before a first initialization of said memory means starts and which counts up every initialization of said memory means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said memory means stores prepaid money data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The memory card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said counting means includes a wired logic circuit, and said initialization control means includes a logic gate for supplying the initialization command to said initializing means, said logic gate being rendered nonconductive when the number of times of initialization amounts to the predetermined value.