Microelectronic memory key with receptacle and systems therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In combination:
- a key-like device having head and insert body portions, the insert body portion being adapted for insertion into a receptacle and rotation therein to a "locked" position and including in cross sectiona major dimension with opposing upper and lower surfaces,a smaller minor dimension with opposing side surfaces, anda plurality of spaced transverse grooves formed on the major surfaces, andAn electrical circuit element encapsulated within the key, the element including a plurality of electrical leads, each of which extend into one of the grooves and lie therein to form a plurality of electrical contacts;
a receptacle defining a keyway for receiving the key insert body portion and the spaced electrical contacts carried thereby,the keyway including a plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical contacts,insertion guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during insertion with the contacts thereof angularly displaced from the keyway contacts,rotation guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during rotation to a "locked" position in the receptacle and bringing the insert and keyway contacts together in contacting pairs, and whereineach keyway contact comprises a conductive lead having a resilient bend portion positioned in the keyway for contacting a correspondingly spaced insert body contact upon rotation of the insert body to the "locked" position in the receptacle.
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Abstract
This invention relates to electrical key-like devices, to electrical receptacles for use in combination therewith and to electronic circuitry systems, such as computers and other operating circuits, that interface with the key-like devices through the receptacle. The keys contain a microelectronic circuit element, eg., a microelectronic circuit chip or die, having an electrical lead or leads exposed along the length of the key for contacting electrical leads in the receptacle when the key is inserted therein and rotated to a "locked" position. The keys are particularly designed to interface with a processor and program memory system, that is, a computer.
135 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In combination:
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a key-like device having head and insert body portions, the insert body portion being adapted for insertion into a receptacle and rotation therein to a "locked" position and including in cross section a major dimension with opposing upper and lower surfaces, a smaller minor dimension with opposing side surfaces, and a plurality of spaced transverse grooves formed on the major surfaces, and An electrical circuit element encapsulated within the key, the element including a plurality of electrical leads, each of which extend into one of the grooves and lie therein to form a plurality of electrical contacts; a receptacle defining a keyway for receiving the key insert body portion and the spaced electrical contacts carried thereby, the keyway including a plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical contacts, insertion guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during insertion with the contacts thereof angularly displaced from the keyway contacts, rotation guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during rotation to a "locked" position in the receptacle and bringing the insert and keyway contacts together in contacting pairs, and wherein each keyway contact comprises a conductive lead having a resilient bend portion positioned in the keyway for contacting a correspondingly spaced insert body contact upon rotation of the insert body to the "locked" position in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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2. A key-like device having head and insert body portions,
the insert body portion being adapted for insertion into a receptacle and rotation therein to a "locked" position, and including in cross-section a major dimension with opposing upper and lower surfaces, a smaller minor dimension with opposing side surfaces, and a plurality of spaced transverse grooves formed on the major surfaces, and an electrical circuit element encapsulated within the key, the element including a plurality of electrical leads, each of which extend into one of the grooves and lie therein to form a plurality of electrical contacts.
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10. A receptacle defining a keyway for receiving a key-like insert body carrying spaced electrical contacts:
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the keyway including a plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical contacts; insertion guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body during insertion with the contacts thereof angularly displaced from the keyway contacts; rotation guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body during rotation to a "locked" position in the receptacle and bringing the insert and keyway contacts together in contacting pairs, and wherein each keyway contact comprises a conductive lead having a resilient bend portion positioned in the keyway for contacting a correspondingly spaced insert body contact upon rotation of the insert body to the "locked" position in the receptacle.
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15. In combination:
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at least one portable device enclosing a microelectronic circuit element having a plurality of electrodes extending therefrom, the electrodes extending to the exterior of the device and functioning as electrical contacts, the device being constructed and arranged for insertion into a receptacle and being unpowered electrically until so inserted; at least one receptacle for receiving the device, the receptacle including a plurality of electrical contacts arranged to contact the device electrode contacts upon its insertion into the receptacle, and electrical operating circuit means electrically connected to the receptacle contacts for operating in combination with the device when it is inserted into the receptacle, the operating circuit means comprising a powered microprocessor including a bus structure, the microprocessor being capable of functioning independent of any connection with the device and being so constructed and arranged as to have direct access to the microelectronic circuit element of the device via the electrical contacts upon insertion of the device into the receptacle whereby the microelectronic circuit element functions as a directly accessible part of the microprocessor bus structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification