IC card having means for protecting erroneous operation.

摘要

An IC card having a function of protecting erroneous operation due to uncontact condition between an internal microprocessor chip and an external card reader. The IC card comprises a plastic card having a plurality of terminal pads located on the surface thereof, the plurality of terminal pads including a positive power supply terminal pad, a ground terminal pad and a reset signal input terminal pad, and a clock signal input terminal pad; an IC chip locating in the plastic IC card and being connected to the plurality of terminal pads; and a potential reducing circuit connected between the positive power supply terminal pad and the reset signal input terminal pad; and a circuit for protecting erroneous operation of the IC chip comprising a first circuit for detecting incomplete contact between the power supply terminal pad and an external device to output a detecting signal, and a second circuit for generating a reset signal to stop operation of the IC chip in response to the detecting signal.