JPS63170800A - Service limit alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an expiration date warning device, and more specifically, to improving the data protection function of a semiconductor memory pack that retains data in a semiconductor memory using a backup battery. Automatically inform users of the expiry date of their backup batteries, and automatically detect the expiry date and disposal date of IC cards and other consumable parts and components, thereby making them more reliable. ViJ refers to the use and management of equipment, equipment, parts, and materials under high conditions.
The present invention relates to an expiration date warning device that enables

[Prior art] For example, in semiconductor memory packs, etc., data stored in the semiconductor memory is retained by a backup battery, but the battery life can be detected by detecting the battery voltage. In order to protect data, a method is used to issue a battery replacement alert. However, recently, the data retention current characteristics of semiconductor memories have been significantly improved, and the amount of electricity consumed by batteries has become smaller. Therefore, from the standpoint of data protection, it has become necessary to replace or dispose of semiconductor memory packs that take into account the service life of the semiconductor memory pack, including the service life of the battery, rather than replacement based on the amount of electricity consumed by the battery.

These matters are not limited to semiconductor memory packs, but also apply to IC cards that are used with built-in batteries, other parts, and parts and materials that do not have built-in batteries, but need to be replaced after a certain period of time. be.

[Problems to be solved] For example, in the case of semiconductor memory packs, there is a problem in which the conventional method of detecting battery voltage and issuing a battery replacement alarm cannot fully protect data in semiconductor memory. There is.

In addition, IC cards with built-in batteries and other parts,
For parts and components that do not contain batteries, etc., but need to be replaced after a certain period of time, the expiration date is generally managed by being written or engraved on paper, plastic plates, metal plates, etc. In the case of paper, plastic plates, etc., there is a risk of them peeling off, and if the markings are crushed, it is difficult to distinguish.In either case, there is a drawback that it cannot be managed unless the user pays conscious attention.

This invention makes it possible to detect the usage warranty period, which is difficult to detect, in various parts and materials that have an expiration date, such as the usage warranty period of semiconductor memory packs, making expiration management easy and reliable. It is an object of the present invention to provide an expiration date warning device that can make the user's life easier.

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve such an objective, this invention has the following features:
The alarm device body is equipped with a battery, a clock, an alarm device, and a comparison circuit, and a non-volatile memory that stores time information, and the alarm device body is built in the parts, members, devices, or appliances to which the alarm device is attached. The time information is stored in a non-volatile memory, which is attached to the main body of the alarm device and sends the time information to a comparison circuit, which compares the time information indicated by the clock and the time information stored in the non-volatile memory. The alarm is activated when the time information of the clock exceeds the time information of the non-volatile memory.

[Function] In this way, for example, in a semiconductor memory pack,
The main body of the alarm device is built-in, and time information such as the expiry date or time of the backup battery is stored in a ROM, or in a non-volatile memory such as a RAM backed up by the battery or a deep switch that digitally represents the expiration date and time. By later attaching it to the main body of the alarm device, the expiration date can be set individually for each semiconductor memory pack. Moreover, since it has a built-in alarm, it can automatically generate an alarm when the deadline or time comes.

As a result, for example, the usage guarantee period of a semiconductor memory pack can be more easily detected, data can be read or written from a semiconductor memory pack that is in a state that is managed and guaranteed, and the data stored in the semiconductor memory is guaranteed. can. Therefore, the reliability of backup in the semiconductor memory pack is improved.

Furthermore, the above also applies to other parts and members, including IC cards.

[Example 1] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of one embodiment of a semiconductor memory pack incorporating an expiration date notification device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a time information setting mechanism of another embodiment. The explanatory diagram, FIG. 3, is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration that generates the time information.

The semiconductor memory pack 20 includes an I10 buffer 1 that serves as an interface with external devices, a semiconductor memory group 2 that includes one or more semiconductor memories such as RAM, and stores data transferred from the outside. External power supply/
It is equipped with a backup control circuit 3 for controlling switching of backup batteries, and a backup battery 4, and further includes a clock 5, which is a feature of the present invention, and an attachable battery information memory 7 that stores time information of the backup battery. , a comparison circuit 6 that compares the current time of the clock 5 with the time stored in the battery information memory 7, and an alarm 11 driven by the output of the comparison circuit 6.

Note that power for the clock 5, comparator circuit 6, alarm, and device 11 is supplied from a backup battery 4, and these constitute the main body of the alarm device. Note that these powers may be supplied from an external device to which the semiconductor memory device 20 is attached, and in such a case, the time information for setting the expiration date may be set by subtracting a certain amount of time. A period with plenty of time.

Must be a date or number.

Further, in the figure, 8 is a data bus, 9 is an address bus, and 10 is a memory control line.

The time information here is, for example, the expiration date or replacement time of the backup battery 4, and uses a numerical value or code indicating the period, time, or deadline, or 1 indicating each time unit of September 9, 2017. The information consists of one or more digits. In addition, regarding the date, it is even more detailed in seconds! It may be determined up to the 11th place, or it may be determined roughly on a monthly basis.

The battery information memory 7 is a PROM, but it may also be a ROM in which an expiration code, replacement time, etc. are stored in advance, or a mechanical switch, in which time information is separately written in advance.

Here, the clock 5 is a so-called timer, and indicates the period of use, such as years, months, years, months, etc., numerically or in real time (a time corresponding to real time). The time may be measured according to the date and time information indicating the expiration date corresponding to the year, month, and day of the Showa era. In particular, in the case of date and time, a clock CPU with a 9-hour clock may be used, or a signal may be generated for each day, and a signal may be generated for each day.

It may also be a timer that measures days.

In addition, the comparison circuit is a so-called digital comparison circuit,
The digital signal of each digit indicating the date of September 9, 2008 or the numerical value from the clock 5 is stored in the battery information memory 7.

Compare the digital signal of each digit indicating monthly or numerical value and its size. And the date of clock 5 is battery information memory 7
When the date or value exceeds, an output is generated and the alarm 11 is driven by the output.

As a result, based on the time information in the battery information memory 7,
By driving the alarm 11, an operator or the like can detect when it is time to replace the memory pack and determine whether it is time to replace the bank up or the lifespan of the semiconductor memory pack.

It is best to use a liquid crystal display for alarms because of their low power consumption; however, in addition to black and white or color liquid crystal displays, LEDs and other light emitting devices can be used for light-based alarms. , various sound generating elements and sound generators such as ceramic buzzers and micro speakers can be used.

The battery information memory 7 that stores time information is
Time information is written by an OM writer or the like, and it is attached to the semiconductor memory pack 20 via a socket 12 provided on the semiconductor memory pack 20 side, and each terminal is connected to the signal line of the comparison circuit 6.

Next, a case where a mechanical switch is used instead of the ROM as the battery information memory 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

By setting the battery information switch member 21 on which the date is displayed on the table as shown in FIG. 2 in place of the battery information memory 7 of the semiconductor memory hack 20 shown in FIG. without writing
Similar results are obtained. Note that 1 in Figure 2
1 is a color liquid crystal display.

In FIG. 2, a battery information switch member receiving portion 22 is provided on the side surface of the semiconductor memory pack 20, and the battery information switch member receiving portion 22 is provided with a battery information switch member receiving portion 22. It consists of a switch terminal 23 as shown in FIG.
0 printed circuit board 25. On the other hand, the date is displayed on the front side of the battery information switch member 21, and a plurality of switch pins 26 are provided so as to correspond to the displayed date, as shown in FIG. 3(b).

Here, when the battery information switch member 21 is attached to the battery information switch member receiver 22, the switch EF23 and the switch terminal piece 24 are brought into contact by pressing the switch terminal piece 24 with the plurality of switch bins 26. , generates time information indicating the battery expiration date, etc. This time information is sent to comparison circuit 6 in FIG.

FIG. 3(C) shows the battery information switch 22 of FIG. 3(b).
This is the equivalent circuit when . In this case,
Each switch bin 26 has four pins that digitally represent one-digit numbers with weights of 1.2 and 4.8, and in this example, each switch bin 26 corresponds to a date of 7°6.8. is set to a number.

As described above, in the embodiment, the date is displayed on the battery information switch member, but this is not necessarily necessary.

Further, in the embodiments, the explanation is centered on a semiconductor memory device, but this may be a so-called memory cartridge in general, as long as it is a storage medium containing a built-in semiconductor memory.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to storage media with a built-in semiconductor memory, but can of course be applied to IC cards with a built-in battery as well as various other parts that do not have a built-in battery. be.

It goes without saying that the non-volatile memory used in the embodiments may be a ROM, a switch-based memory, or other types of memory.

As can be understood from the explanation in ``Effects of the Invention'' 2, in the present invention, for example, a semiconductor memory pack has a built-in alarm device, and information such as the expiration date or time of the backup battery, etc. ROM that stores time information or RAM that is backed up by a battery.

By storing the time and expiration date in a non-volatile memory such as a deep switch that digitally represents it, and later attaching it to the main body of the alarm device, the expiration date can be set individually for each semiconductor memory pack. Moreover, since it has a built-in alarm device, it can automatically generate an alarm when the deadline or time comes.

As a result, for example, the usage guarantee period of a semiconductor memory pack can be detected more accurately @QL, and data can be read or written from a semiconductor memory pack that is managed and in a guaranteed state, and data can be stored in the 11-conductor memory. The data obtained can be guaranteed. Therefore, the reliability of backup in the semiconductor memory pack is improved.

Furthermore, the above also applies to other parts and members, including IC cards.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of one embodiment of a semiconductor memory pack incorporating an expiration date warning device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a time information setting mechanism of another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the internal configuration that generates the time information. l...I10 buffer, 2...P11 conductor memory group,
3... Backup control unit, 4... Backup battery, 5... Clock, 6... Comparison circuit, 7... Battery information memory, 8... Data bus, 9... Address bus, lO...Memory control line, 11...Alarm, 2
0...Semiconductor memory pack, 21...Battery information switch member, 22...Battery information switch member receiver, 23...Switch terminal, 24...Switch terminal piece, 25...Print) S plate, 26-... switch pin.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A main body of the alarm device includes a battery, a clock, an alarm, and a comparison circuit, and a nonvolatile memory for storing time information, and the main body of the alarm device includes a part to which the alarm device is attached;
The time information is stored in the non-volatile memory that is built into the member, device, or equipment side, and this non-volatile memory is attached to the main body of the alarm device and sends the time information to the comparison circuit. The comparison circuit compares time information indicated by the clock with time information stored in the non-volatile memory, and when the time information of the clock exceeds the time information of the non-volatile memory, the alarm is activated. An expiration date warning device characterized by: (2) The expiration date warning device according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory is a ROM. (3) The non-volatile memory consists of a plurality of switches and a pin that activates a specific switch among the plurality of switches, the plurality of switches are arranged on the main body of the alarm device, and the pin is attached to the switch. 2. The expiration date warning device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is activated when the switch is actuated. (4) A plurality of pins are provided corresponding to actuators of a plurality of switches, and time information is set by eliminating unnecessary pins. Expiration date warning device. (5) Claim 1, characterized in that the comparator circuit is realized as one function by an arithmetic processing device.
The expiration date warning device according to any one of items 1 to 4.