Information devices

• US 20070102529A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MacSema, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MacSema, Inc.
• Inventors: Rowden, Donald, Bohmker, John, Wright, Ricky, Sellew, Rosemary
• Application Number:
  US11/595,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102529A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

Information devices including a casing, a circuit board installed in the casing, the circuiting having electrically conductive contact surfaces, and a memory device in electrical communication with the circuit board. In some examples, the information device includes a remotely accessible data device positioned on the casing or the circuit board. In some examples, the information device includes a symbology element disposed on the casing or the circuit board. In some examples, the information device includes a transceiver coupled to the casing or the circuit board.

Claims

1. An information device for exchanging information with an external device and selective securement to an item, the information device comprising:

a unitary casing which defines a channel extending between opposite casing ends;

a circuit board having a first side and a second side, the first side defining a plurality of electrically conductive contact surfaces, the circuit board being installed within the casing adjacent one of the opposite casing ends such that the contact surfaces are substantially exposed;

a memory device mounted on the second side of the circuit board; and

a remotely accessible data device positioned on at least one of the casing and the circuit board.

2. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device is a symbology element configured to exchange information optically.

3. The information device of claim 2, wherein the symbology element includes a machine readable barcode.

4. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device is a transceiver configured to transmit and receive information using an electromagnetic signal.

5. The information device of claim 4, wherein the transceiver includes a radio frequency identification antenna.

6. The information device of claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces are concentrically arranged.

7. The information device of claim 1, wherein the memory device is selectively powered via the contact surfaces.

8. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device is positioned within the channel.

9. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device is coupled to the circuit board.

10. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device is applied to the first side of the circuit board by at least one of printing, engraving, etching, and dot peening.

11. The information device of claim 1, wherein:

the casing includes an outwardly extending flange; and

the remotely accessible data device is positioned on the flange.

12. The information device of claim 1, wherein the remotely accessible data device includes:

a symbology element configured to exchange information optically, and

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive information using an electromagnetic signal.

13. The information device of claim 12, wherein the transceiver is disposed between the symbology element and the circuit board.

14. The information device of claim 1, further comprising a potting material in contact with the second side of the circuit board.

15. An information device for exchanging information with an external device and selective securement to an item, the information device comprising:

a casing which defines a channel extending between opposite casing ends;

a circuit board defining a plurality of substantially exposed electrically conductive contact surfaces, the circuit board being installed within the casing;

a memory device electrically coupled to the circuit board; and

a symbology element disposed on at least one of the casing and the circuit board.

16. The information device of claim 15, further comprising a radio frequency identification tag coupled to at least one of the casing and the circuit board and configured to transmit and receive information using an electromagnetic signal.

17. The information device of claim 16, wherein the symbology element is disposed on at least one of the casing and the circuit board on top of the radio frequency identification tag.

18. The information device of claim 15, wherein the symbology element is disposed on the circuit board adjacent the contact surfaces.

19. The information device of claim 15, wherein the contact surfaces are substantially exposed for periodic electrical access of the memory device.

20. An information device for exchanging information with an external device and selective securement to an item, the information device comprising:

a casing which defines a channel extending between opposite casing ends;

a circuit board defining a plurality of substantially exposed electrically conductive contact surfaces, the circuit board being installed within the casing;

a memory device electrically coupled to the circuit board; and

a transceiver coupled to at least one of the casing and the circuit board, the transceiver being configured to transmit and receive information using an electromagnetic signal.

21. The information device of claim 20, further comprising a symbology element which is disposed on at least one of the casing and the circuit board and configured to exchange information optically.

22. The information device of claim 21, wherein the symbology element is coupled to at least one of the casing and the circuit board on top of the transceiver.

23. The information device of claim 22, wherein the transceiver is coupled to the circuit board adjacent the contact surfaces.

24. The information device of claim 20, wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency identification tag.

25. The information device of claim 20, wherein the memory device includes non-volatile memory.