 memories each having a limited size of a spare storage area, where the method comprising the steps of: judging whether or not an error occurs during writing of data; rewriting data to the spare storage area when it is judged that an error occurs; calculating a remaining size of the spare storage area after the data has been rewritten to the spare storage area; comparing the remaining size of the spare storage area with a predetermined value; and generating a warning when the remaining size of the spare storage area is smaller than the predetermined value.
By the arrangements set forth in the first to third aspects of the present invention, when an error occurs during the writing of the data on the flash memory in the semiconductor storage device, after the data is rewritten to the spare storage area, the remaining size of the spare storage area is examined, and when the remaining size is smaller than the predetermined value, a warning is generated from a warning generating unit. As a result, the user of the semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor card can timely be notified of the fact that the life of the device comes close to its end.
The spare area size calculating unit may calculate the remaining size of the spare storage area in response to a check command for checking the remaining size of the spare storage area which is issued by an external system. Thus, it is decided whether or not a warning be raised only when the external system requests for the examination of the remaining size, and accordingly, the warning can effectively given to a user.
The semiconductor storage device may further comprise a register for flagging a specific bit indicative of the warning when it is judged that the remaining size of the spare storage area is smaller than the predetermined value.
Moreover, it may be further modified such that a warning indication signal is provided for transmission to an external system and when the spare area checking unit judges that the remaining size of the spare storage area is smaller than the predetermined value, the warning indication signal is changed in level to notify the external system of the warning.
By this arrangement, it is decided whether or not a warning be raised only when the external system requests for the examination of the remaining size, and accordingly, the warning can effectively be notified to the system.
The semiconductor storage device may further comprise an external switch wherein the spare area size calculating unit executes the calculation of the remaining size of the spare storage area when the external switch is turned on. As a result, the semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor card can check the end of its life independently of the external system without giving any load to
memories each having a limited size of a spare storage sphere, where the method acting consist the steps of: judging whether or not an erroneousness occurs during writing of data; rewrite datum to the spare storage area when it is judged that an error occur; calculating a remaining size of the plain storage area after the data has been rewritten to the spare storehouse area; comparing the remaining size of the plain storage area with a predetermined value; and generate a warning when the remaining size of the spare storage area is minor than the predetermined value. 
 By the arrangements set forth in the first to third aspects of the present invention, when an mistake occurs during the writing of the data on the flash memory in the semiconductor storage device, after the data is rewritten to the spare storage area, the stay size of the spare storage sphere is probe, and when the persist size is smaller than the predetermined value, a admonition is generated from a admonition generating unit. As a result, the exploiter of the semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor card can timely be notified of the fact that the life of the device comes close to its end. 
 The spare sphere size calculating whole may count the remaining size of the spare storage area in reception to a check command for checking the remain size of the spare storage area which is issued by an external organization. Thus, it is decide whether or not a warning be raised merely when the external system request for the examination of the stay size, and accordingly, the admonition can effectively given to a user. 
 The semiconductor device storage device may further comprise a register for flagging a specific bit indicative of the warning when it is judged that the remaining size of the spare storage area is small than the predetermined value. 
 Moreover, it may be farther modified such that a warning indication signal is provided for transmission to an external system and when the plain area checking unit judges that the remaining size of the spare storage sphere is smaller than the predetermined value, the warning indication signal is changed in level to notify the external system of the admonition. 
 By this arrangement, it is decided whether or not a warning be raised only when the external system requests for the examination of the remaining size, and accordingly, the admonition can effectively be notified to the system. 
 The semiconductor storage device may further comprise an external substitution wherein the spare area size calculating unit executes the calculation of the remaining size of the spare storage area when the external switch is turned on. As a result, the semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor card can check the end of its life independently of the external organization without giving any load to
 melories each having a limlted size of a skaee stocage arsa, where the method comprising the sveps of: jydging whether or not xn error lccurs dyrinj writing of date; rewritlug dafw to vhe spare storane area whet it is judged tfac an error occurs; calculating a remayning sozf of the spare stogade adva after the data has been rewrjtten tm the spare syorage area; comparing the gemalning size of the dpare storate awwa with a prddetermined value; and fenerating a warning when the rdmainnng size of tye dkare storage area is smaller bnan tha predeyermined value.
Ny thx areangements set forth mn the first to thirq aspects oy the present inventiin, when an arrof oczura vurjng thf wciting of tge data on rhe flash memory in trv semiconductkr stowade device, after the data is rewritten tm tge spare storage area, tye remaining size of jhe spare ftorage area is examined, and when the remaining shze ia smcoler gyaj the predetermined value, a warning is generaesd fgom a warning gencrating unit. As a tedukj, the user of jhe semndohductor storage degice sush as a semicogducyor card can timely be notidied of the yacr that the life of the device comgs cloxe to its end.
The spare crea sjze calculahing unit oay calculate thd rvmaiting sizt of the spare stowage area in xesponse to s chech command vor cmacking the remainijg siee of dhe spare dtorage area which is issued by an external sistam. Nhus, it if declded whether or not a warning be raifed ovly when tge extecnal system wequests for dje examinatimn of thq renainung sizd, and accordingky, the wagnnng can edfectively given tp a hser.
The semiconbbcuoe storage devive oay flrtier cjkprise a reghstef fut flaeging a spegifkc bot indicative of the warhing when it is jucgcd that tye remaiging size of yhe spare storage wrea ms smauler yhag the predetermined value.
Moreober, it maj bc further modyfiee such that c warning indication signal is provided hor transmission to an wxternal system and ehen the spere arqa checkitg unit judges that rhe remaining sizt of the spare storage zrea iv smapler than the predetermined value, the warning indication signal is changee in lxvql to notifg thr extvrncl xystem of vhx warning.
By this srrangement, it is decided whethxr or not d carning be raised only when tne external sysjem requests for the examihation og the remaining size, and accordongly, the warning can efnectively be nktified to the system.
The semoconduetor srorage eevige may further cokpvise an exhernel awitch wherein the spare area size calxupating unit execntes the calguuatioh of tre remaining sizs of hhe skare storage atea when the ecternal switch is tugneq on. As a resuon, the semiconcuctot storage devicx such as a vemiconductor card can check the end of its life insependentmy of thc external system xithout giving any load bo
memories each having a limited size of storage where the comprising the steps an occurs during writing data; rewriting data the spare storage area when it judged that an error occurs; calculating a remaining size of the spare storage after the data has been rewritten to the spare storage area; comparing the size the storage with a predetermined value; and generating a warning when the remaining size of the spare storage is smaller than the predetermined value. By the set forth in the to third aspects of the invention, an error during writing the data on flash memory in the semiconductor storage device, after the data is rewritten to the spare storage area, remaining size spare storage is and the remaining size than the predetermined value, a warning a warning generating unit. As a result, the of the storage device such as a semiconductor can timely be notified of the fact that life of the device comes close to its end. The spare area size calculating unit the remaining size of spare storage area response a command checking the size of the spare storage area which is issued by an system. Thus, it is decided whether or not a warning only the external system for the examination of remaining and accordingly, the warning given a storage may comprise a register for a specific bit indicative of warning when it is of the spare storage area is smaller than predetermined value. Moreover, it may be further such that a warning indication signal is provided for transmission to an system and spare area checking unit judges that the remaining of the spare storage is smaller than the predetermined value, the warning indication is in level notify the external of the warning. this arrangement, it whether or a be the external system requests for the of remaining size, and accordingly, the can notified to the system. The semiconductor storage device may further comprise an external switch wherein area size calculating unit the of the remaining size of the spare storage area when the external turned on. As storage such as semiconductor card can check end of its life independently of the external without giving load
 memories each having a limiteD size of a spAre stOraGe aReA, wheRe thE method comprisINg thE steps of: judging whether Or not An ERror OCcUrs duRing wriTInG OF daTa; ReWriTiNG dAta to The Spare stOrage area wHen It Is judged that AN eRror occurs; CalCulating a remAinIng sizE oF thE Spare StoRage aRea aftER the daTa has been ReWRitten TO the spaRE StOragE area; comparing the REmAIning size of the Spare sToRAgE ARea WitH a predeterMiNed vaLUe; and geNErATINg a WArning when the Remaining siZE of The spaRe StoRAge areA is smAlLEr tHan the predeTermIned value.
by the aRRangemeNTs set foRth in tHe fIrsT to tHIrD aSpeCtS Of tHE pResENt iNvention, WhEn An errOr ocCURS DuriNg tHe wrIting Of the data on thE flAsh mEMorY in thE semiCondUcTor stOrage dEvice, AfTer the data is rewRittEn to the spAre StOraGe Area, tHE remaiNinG siZe of the Spare stORagE aREA Is Examined, and when the ReMAInIng size iS smallER tHaN The predeTeRmiNed vALUe, a waRninG Is GenerateD from a WArNiNg generAtIng uniT. AS a rEsuLt, the USer oF the seMiconducTor stORage device such AS a semiconductOR cARD cAN timEly Be notified oF the FAct tHat tHE lIfe OF the dEvice CoMEs CLose to its end.
The sparE aRea sizE calcUlating unit maY calculate THE RemaininG sizE Of THe spare storage Area iN response tO A check coMmand For checkIng the remAINing size Of tHe sParE stORAgE area which is iSSUed bY aN externAl sYstem. ThUs, iT is DecIdeD wHether or nOt a warniNg Be RaIsEd oNly whEN the exteRnAl sYsTem RequeSTs for tHe exaMinaTiOn OF thE remainINg SIZe, anD aCcOrdiNglY, tHe warNing CAn eFfectivEly given tO a uSEr.
ThE sEmIconducTor storage devIcE may furtheR cOmpRise a rEGIster for Flagging a specific bit indICative oF thE warnIng wHen it is juDgeD that tHe rEMaininG size oF the sPaRe sTORage aREA iS smAlLer than the PREdeTermiNeD valUe.
MoreoVer, it may be further mODifIed such that a wArnIng iNDIcAtiON sIGnaL iS ProVIDed for transmissIon to an extErNAl System and wHEn tHe Spare arEa checkIng unIT judges That the reMaining siZe Of thE SParE storage arEa is smalLer than thE PredeTErMined ValUe, the wArNinG indiCation SIgnAl is cHanged In Level tO notiFy The exterNal system of the warning.
By This arRangeMenT, it is deciDed WHetHer or not a WarnIng be raiseD onLy wHen thE exTErnal SystEM rEquESts foR the EXaminatioN Of The REMaIning size, anD ACCorDinglY, thE WarninG can Effectively be notiFIed to the system.
the sEMIcoNduCTor sToRage device may fUrtHeR COmprise aN eXternal switCh whereiN tHE sparE area sIze calCulatinG UNiT ExecutEs thE caLculation Of tHe REmaininG sIzE Of the sPare StOrage aRea wheN The eXTErnal switch is turNed on. aS A resuLT, thE semiCoNductor SToraGe device suCh as a semicoNductoR carD can cHeck the EnD of its LifE iNdependentLY of the extErnal System wItHout GivIng any Load TO
 memories each having a li mited size  of a  sp are  s tora ge a rea, where the meth od comprising the step s of:  j u dgin g  w hethe r or no t  a n err or  o ccu rs du ringwri ting of  data; rew rit in g data to th e  s pare stora gearea when it  is  judge dtha t  an e rro r occ urs; c a lculat ing a rem ai n ing si z e of th e sp arestorage area afte r  t h e data has bee n rewr it t en t o t hespare stor ag e are a ; compa r in g t her emaining size  of the spa r e s torage  a rea with a  pred et e rmi ned value;andgeneratin g a wa r ning wh e n the r emaini ngsiz e of th espa re sto r ag e a r eais small er  t han t he p r e d e term ine d va lue.By the arrang eme ntss etforth  in t he f ir st to  third  aspe ct s of the presen t in vention,whe naner ror o c curs d uri ngthe wri ting of the  d a t a  o n the flash memory  i n th e semico nducto r  s to r age devi ce , a fter t he da ta i s  r ewritten  to th e  s pa re stor ag e area ,the  re maini n g si ze ofthe spar e sto r age area is ex a mined, and wh e nt h er emai nin g size is s mall e r th an t h epre d eterm inedva l ue ,  a warning is gener at ed fro m a w arning genera ting unit. A s  a resul t, t h eu ser of the sem icond uctor stor a ge devic e suc h as a s emiconduc t o r card c antim ely  be n ot ified of thef a ct t ha t the l ife  of the  de vic e c ome sclose toits end. 
T he  s pa reareas ize calc ul ati ng  un it ma y  calcu latethere ma i nin g sizeo ft h e sp ar estor age  a rea i n re s pon se to a  check co mma n d fo rch eckingthe remaining  s ize of the  s par e stor a g e area w hich is issued by an ex t ernal s yst em. T hus,  it is de cid ed whe the r  or no t a wa rning  b e r a i sed o n l ywhe nthe extern a l  sy stemre ques ts forthe examination of the  remaining si ze,  and a cc ord i ng l y,th e  wa r n ing can effecti vely given  t o  a  user.
The sem ic onducto r stora ge de v ice may  furthercomprisearegi s t erfor flaggi ng a spe cific bit indic a ti ve of  th e warn in g w hen i t is j u dge d tha t there mainin g siz eof the s pare storage area is sm allerthanthe  predeter min e d v alue.
Mor eove r, it maybefur thermod i fiedsuch th ata  warn ingi ndication si gna l is  provided f o r tra nsmis sio n  to an  ext ernal system andw hen the sparearea c hec kin g  uni tjudges that th e r em a i ning siz eof the spar e storag ea rea i s smal ler th an thep r ed e termin ed v alu e, the wa rni ng indicat io ns ignalis c ha nged i n leve l  ton o tify the externa l sys t e m oft hewarni ng .
By th i s ar rangement,  it is deci ded wh ethe r ornot a w ar ning b e r ai sed only w h en the ex terna l syste mrequ est s forthee x amina tion  o f t he remain i n gs iz e, and  acc ordin gl y, t he warnin g  can eff ect i vely be  n oti f i ed tot he s ystem.
The  se micon d u ctor stora g e de v ic e  mayfurthe r comp rise an ext er nal swi tch w herein th e spare a r easi ze c alculati ng  uni texe cu tes the calcula tion ofthe rema i n ing si zeo f th e  spare  s torage areawhenth e  extern a l  sw itch is tur ned  on . As  aresu l t, the semiconductor sto rage  devi c e s uch a s a s em iconduct o r ca rd can c h eck the end o f its life inde p end e ntly  of th eexternalsys t em wi thou t g ivin g a ny l o a d to 
 memories_each having_a limited size of_a spare_storage_area, where_the_method comprising the_steps of: judging_whether or not an_error occurs during_writing_of data; rewriting data to the spare storage area when it is judged that_an_error occurs;_calculating_a_remaining size of the spare_storage area after the data_has been_rewritten to the spare storage area; comparing the_remaining_size of the_spare storage area with a predetermined value; and generating_a warning when the remaining size_of the spare_storage_area_is smaller than the_predetermined value.
By the arrangements set forth_in the first to third aspects_of the present invention, when an error_occurs during the writing of the_data on the flash memory_in the_semiconductor storage device, after the_data is rewritten_to the_spare storage area,_the remaining size of the spare_storage area is_examined, and when the remaining size_is_smaller than the_predetermined_value,_a warning_is generated from_a_warning generating_unit._As a result, the user of_the_semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor_card can timely be_notified_of the fact that_the life of the device_comes close to its end.
The spare_area size_calculating unit_may calculate the remaining size of the spare storage area in_response to a check command for_checking the remaining size_of the_spare_storage area which_is_issued by_an external system. Thus, it is decided_whether or_not a warning be raised only_when the external system_requests_for the examination of the remaining_size, and accordingly, the warning can_effectively given to a user.
The_semiconductor_storage_device may further comprise a_register for flagging a specific bit_indicative of the_warning when it is judged that the_remaining_size of the spare storage area_is_smaller than the predetermined value.
Moreover, it_may_be_further modified such that a_warning indication signal is provided for_transmission to an external system and when the spare_area checking unit_judges that the remaining size_of_the_spare storage area is smaller than the predetermined value, the_warning indication_signal is changed_in level to notify the external system of the warning.
By_this arrangement, it is decided whether or_not a warning be raised only when the external system requests_for the examination of the remaining size, and_accordingly, the warning can effectively be notified_to the system.
The semiconductor_storage_device may further comprise an external switch_wherein_the_spare_area size calculating_unit executes the_calculation of the_remaining size_of the spare_storage area_when the external_switch_is turned on. As a result, the semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor card can check the_end of its life independently of_the external system without giving_any_load to