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US5504701A
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US
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Memory card
Assignee: Toppan Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-29
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Granted: 1996-04-02
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Expires: 2014-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A memory card of the present invention serves as a reusable prepaid card. In the memory card, prepaid-money data is stored in a user memory constituted of a flash erase type EEPROM, and decreased as the card is used. When the prepaid-money data becomes zero, the user memory is initialized for reuse. The memory card includes an EPROM to which data of a predetermined number of times of initialization is preset and which decreases in data of the number of times of initialization and an initialization control logic for executing initialization in response to an initialization command until data of the EPROM becomes zero, and inhibiting the initialization even though the initialization command is input when the data becomes zero.
Inventors
- 👤 Masashi Takahashi
- 👤 Takashi Ikegami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:30
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/0866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A memory card comprising: memory means capable of being initialized; means for counting the number of times said memory means is initialized, the counting means being an externally inaccessible counting means; and initialization means for initializing said memory means upon receiving an initialization command only when the number of times counted by said counting means is smaller than a predetermined value, initializing of said memory means being inhibited when the number of times counted by said counting means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A memory card comprising: memory means capable of being initialized; means for counting the number of times said memory means is initialized, the counting means being an externally inaccessible counting means; and initialization means for initializing said memory means upon receiving an initialization command only when the number of times counted by said counting means is smaller than a predetermined value, initializing of said memory means being inhibited when the number of times counted by said counting means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which said memory means includes a flash erase type EEPROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which 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
25 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which said counting means includes an EPROM whose data is rewritten every initialization of said memory means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which 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
37 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which 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
16 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which said memory means stores prepaid money data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The memory card according to claim 1, in which 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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
A memory card comprising: memory means capable of being initialized; means for storing a key necessary for initializing said memory means; means for verifying whether a key input by an operator coincides with the key stored in said storing means; means for counting the number of times said memory means is initialized, the counting means being an externally inaccessible counting means; and initialization means for initializing said memory means upon receiving an initialization command only when the number of times counted by said counting means is smaller than a predetermined value, initializing of said memory means being inhibited when the number of times counted by said counting means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A memory card comprising: memory means capable of being initialized; means for storing a key necessary for initializing said memory means; means for verifying whether a key input by an operator coincides with the key stored in said storing means; means for counting the number of times said memory means is initialized, the counting means being an externally inaccessible counting means; and initialization means for initializing said memory means upon receiving an initialization command only when the number of times counted by said counting means is smaller than a predetermined value, initializing of said memory means being inhibited when the number of times counted by said counting means is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which said memory means includes a flash erase type EEPROM.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which 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 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which said counting means includes an EPROM whose data is rewritten every initialization of said memory means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which 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 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which 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 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which said memory means stores prepaid money data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The memory card according to claim 9, in which 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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5264689A
Cited
US5285415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |