Memory having an information data set enabling a device connected to the memory to acquire information about the remaining memory lifespan, method for initializing a memory with an information data set, and device with interface for connection to a memory

A method for initializing a memory, which comprises the steps of:

• storing an information data set in the memory, the information data set containing:
• information about a type of diagnostic data made available by the memory upon external request, the external request allowing an external device access to the diagnostic data;
• information about a required request procedure for such external requests, wherein the information about the required request procedure defines at least one bit sequence output by the memory to which the memory reacts by outputting the diagnostic data, and/or defines a request command chain which a device that reads out the information data set can process in order to retrieve the diagnostic data from the memory;
• and
• evaluation information enabling an interpretation of answer data supplied by the memory on request.

A device, comprising:

• an interface for connecting to a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• an interpretation software module being stored in the device and, upon execution by said processor of the device, causes the device to read out an information data set stored in the memory connected to said interface, said information data set containing information about:
• a) a type of diagnostic data made available by the memory upon external request, the external request allowing the device access to the diagnostic data, b) information about a required request procedure for such external requests, wherein the information about the required request procedure defines at least one bit sequence output by the memory to which the memory reacts by outputting the diagnostic data, and/or defines a request command chain which a device that reads out the information data set can process in order to retrieve the diagnostic data from the memory and c) evaluation information enabling an interpretation of answer data supplied by the memory on request, and to evaluate the information data set at least with regard to the required request procedure and the interpretation of the answer data.