Electronic Device with a Nonvolatile, Writable Data-Memory

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . An electronic device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a nonvolatile, writable data-memory, which is writable for a predetermined maximum write-access number MWN of write-accesses; and

at least one counter which registers write-accesses, wherein:

said microprocessor produces an alarm signal as a function of the development of the number of write-accesses.

19 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

said microprocessor generates an alarm signal, when the difference between the maximum write-access number MWN and the current number of write-accesses falls below a limit value.

20 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 19 , wherein:

the limit value is a fixedly predetermined, or fixedly predeterminable, number of write-accesses.

21 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 19 , wherein:

the limit value is a function of the difference between the maximum write-access number MWN and the current number of write-accesses as well as the average number of write-accesses per unit time, respectively the average time interval between two write-accesses.

22 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 21 , wherein:

the average number of write-accesses per unit time, respectively the average time interval between two write-accesses, is determined as a cumulative, or sliding, average value.

23 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

said microprocessor generates an alarm signal, when the remaining lifetime of the nonvolatile, writable data-memory determined on the basis of the time development of the number of write-accesses and the maximum write-access number falls, below a minimum time.

24 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 23 , wherein:

the minimum time is a predetermined, or predeterminable, value.

25 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

said microprocessor generates an alarm signal, when the average number of write-accesses per unit time exceeds a limit value, respectively the average time interval between two write-accesses falls below a limit value.

26 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein:

the limit value is a fixedly predetermined, or predeterminable, value.

27 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein:

the limit value is a function of the difference between the maximum write-access number MWN and the current number of write-accesses.

28 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 27 , wherein:

said nonvolatile, writable data-memory comprises an EEPROM.

29 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 28 , wherein:

the current number of write-accesses and/or times of elected write-accesses are/is stored in a RAM or in said EEPROM.

30 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

said at least one counter is integrated into the microprocessor.

31 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

the electronic device is a field-device for one of:

measuring a chemical or physical, process measured variable, and for controlling an actuator.

32 . The electronic field-device as claimed in claim 31 , wherein:

said filed device further comprising:

a communication interface, via which said microprocessor is connected with a fieldbus.

33 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 32 , wherein:

a majority of write-accesses to the EEPROM are caused by signals transmitted via the fieldbus.

34 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein:

said data-memory includes at least two cells or clusters of cells with a corresponding number of counters associated in each case with the cells or clusters and which register the respective write-accesses; and

said microprocessor generates an alarm signal as a function of the development of the number of write-accesses to the individual cells or clusters.