Importance

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Abstract

An IC card which operates at either one of an operation mode and a power save mode, the processing in the operation mode being carried out in accordance with a command signal inputted from a predetermined external equipment, and the power save mode being capable of terminating its operation and returning to the operation mode upon reception of a predetermined release signal. The IC card includes an information processing circuit and a release signal generating circuit for outputting the predetermined release signal to the information processing circuit within the IC card at the time when the command signal from the external equipment is received. The information processing circuit executes the process corresponding to the command signal received from the external equipment during the operation mode, and thereafter causes the IC card to enter to the power save mode. A portable terminal for directing initiation of the power save mode operation of the IC card includes a clock signal generating circuit capable of generating a clock signal having a lower frequency than the rated clock frequency of the IC card and an interface capable of data transfer relative to the IC card at a data transmission rate in proportion to a ratio of the lower frequency of the clock signal generated by the clock signal generating circuit to the rated clock signal frequency.

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First Claim