History recording apparatus

Claim 2

A history recording apparatus, comprising: a nonvolatile memory for storing operation history data regarding a predetermined operation of an electronic apparatus, the storing of operation history data which predetermined operation is repeated at variable intervals; a socket mounted on a circuit board of said electronic apparatus, for holding said nonvolatile memory such that said nonvolatile memory is detachably connected to said socket; and control means for updating the operation history data stored in said nonvolatile memory connected to said socket, upon detection of the predetermined operation having been performed a preset number of times which is determined on the basis of a writing tolerance limit of said nonvolatile memory.

Claim 3

A history recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes: a volatile memory for storing count data representing a number of times the predetermined operation is performed; and processing means for incrementing the count data stored in the volatile memory upon detection of performance of the predetermined operation, and for updating the operation history data stored in the nonvolatile memory each time the count data has been incremented by said preset number.

Claim 4

A history recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said processing means includes means for transferring the operation history data from said nonvolatile memory to said volatile memory as said count data when the electronic apparatus is turned on and for obtaining a difference between the count data stored in the volatile memory and the operation history data stored in the nonvolatile memory.

Claim 5

A history recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said nonvolatile memory comprises an EEPROM, and said volatile memory comprises a DRAM.

Claim 6

A history recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined operation comprise a process which is performed by a control processor incorporated in said electronic apparatus.

Claim 7

A history recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said processing means includes a control processor incorporated in said electronic apparatus.

Claim 8

A printer apparatus comprising: printing means for printing a variety of images on paper; and control means for controlling the printing means; said control means including: a nonvolatile memory for storing operation history data regarding a predetermined operation which predetermined operation is repeated at variable intervals; a socket mounted on a circuit board of said control means for holding said nonvolatile memory such that said nonvolatile memory is detachably connected to said socket; and processing means for updating the operation history data stored in said nonvolatile memory connected to said socket, upon detection of the predetermined operation having been performed a preset number of times which is determined on the basis of a writing tolerance limit of said nonvolatile memory.

Claim 9

A printer apparatus comprising: printing means for printing a variety of images on paper; and control means for controlling the printing means; said control means including: a nonvolatile memory for storing operation history data regarding a predetermined operation which predetermined operation is repeated at variable intervals; a socket mounted on a circuit board of said control means for holding said nonvolatile memory such that said nonvolatile memory is detachably connected to said socket; and processing means for updating the operation history data stored in said nonvolatile memory connected to said socket, upon detection of the predetermined operation having been performed a preset number of times which is determined on the basis of a writing tolerance limit of said nonvolatile memory.