Communication module

• US 5,517,015 A
• Filed: 08/31/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Robert D., Zanders, Gary V., Lehmann, Guenter H., Kurkowski, Hal, Curry, Stephen M., Deierling, Kevin E., Bolan, Michael L., Dias, Donald R., Payne, William L. II
• Primary Examiner(s): LANE, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US08/299,031
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 395/400, 395/425, 364/270.05, 364/270.07, 364/271.05, 364/950.01, 364/950.04, 364/DIG. 1, 364/DIG. 2, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 235/441, 235/492, 257/678, 257/679, 375/7, 365/189.06, 365/194.221
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/028 arrangements for numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/10 in respect of time, e.g. reacting only to a quick change of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/245 in an oscillator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/066 Means for reducing external access-lines for a semiconductor memory clip, e.g. by multiplexing at least address and data signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/143 Detection of memory cassette insertion or removal; Continuity checks of supply or ground lines; Detection of supply variations, interruptions or levels G11C5/148 takes precedence; Switching between alternative supplies G11C5/141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/065 Differential amplifiers of latching type
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/24 Memory cell safety or protection circuits, e.g. arrangements for preventing inadvertent reading or writing; Status cells; Test cells
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/20 Address safety or protection circuits, i.e. arrangements for preventing unauthorized or accidental access
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/58 Structural electrical arrangements for semiconductor devices not otherwise provided for , e.g. in combination with batteries H01L23/49593, H01L23/49596 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A communication module comprises a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas. The first and second surface areas are electrically isolated from each other and circuitry is positioned in the cavity within the substantially token-shaped body, and has connections to said first and second areas. The substantially token-shaped body has a perimeter around it. The first and second electrically conductive surface areas form a substantial portion of the substantially token-shaped body. The first and second electrically conductive surface areas form a cavity. One of the surface areas forming a flange around the perimeter of the substantially token-shaped body. The flange preferably resides in one geometric plane. The circuitry provides for the receipt and transmission of digital signals that are determined as voltage differences between said first and second areas. The circuitry preferably includes a capacitor for storing energy from said voltage intermittently applied between the first and second areas, so that the circuit is powered by a battery within said body. The first area comprises one flat face of the body and the second area comprises a second flat face parallel to said one flat face plus a portion of a curved surface which is perpendicular to said flat faces. The circuitry includes (1) a voltage level detector coupled to the first and second areas for receiving signals applied as voltage differences between the first and second areas and (2) a switch connecting the first and second areas for sending signals by changing the resistance between the first and second areas. The voltage level detector preferably detects only two levels.

Claims

1. A communication module comprising:

(a) a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas and having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas electrically isolated from each other, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a cavity, one of said first or second electrically conductive surface areas forming a flange that extends substantially around said perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, said flange extending outward and away from said substantially token-shaped body, said flange residing in one geometric plane;

(b) circuitry positioned in said cavity within said substantially token-shaped body, said circuitry electrically coupled to said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;

(c) wherein said circuitry provides receipt of and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;

(d) wherein said first electrically conductive surface area comprises a first flat face of said substantially token-shaped body; and

(e) said second electrically conductive surface area comprises a second flat face parallel to said first flat face and a curved surface which is perpendicular to said first flat face and said second flat face, said second flat face forming said flange.

2. A communication module comprising:

(a) a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas and having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas electrically isolated from each other, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a substantial portion of said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a cavity, one of said first or second electrically conductive surface areas forming a flange that extends substantially around said perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, said flange extending outward and away from said substantially token-shaped body, said flange residing in one geometric plane;

(b) circuitry positioned in said cavity within said substantially token-shaped body, said circuitry electrically coupled to said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;

(c) wherein said circuitry provides receipt of and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;

(d) wherein a portion of said circuitry is a small outline integrated circuit having a plurality of pins electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board positioned in said cavity, said small outline integrated circuit electrically coupled via said plurality of pins and said printed circuit board to an energy source from a voltage intermittently applied between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas, said energy source also positioned in said cavity; and

(e) wherein said first electrically conductive surface area comprises a first flat face of said substantially token-shaped body and said second electrically conductive area comprises a second flat face parallel to said first flat face and a curved surface which is perpendicular to said first flat face and said second flat face, said second flat face forming said flange, and said flange extending entirely around said perimeter.

3. The communication module of claim 2, wherein said first flat face is circular in shape and has a diameter of approximately 16 mm.

5. The communication module of claim 2, wherein said substantially token-shaped body is button-shaped.

4. A communication module comprising:

(a) a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas and having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas electrically isolated from each other, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a substantial portion of said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a cavity, one of said first or second electrically conductive surface areas forming a flange that extends substantially around said perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, said flange extending outward and away from said substantially token-shaped body, said flange residing in one geometric plane;

(b) circuitry positioned in said cavity within said substantially token-shaped body, said circuitry electrically coupled to said first and said second electrically conductive surface areas; and

(c) wherein said circuitry provides receipt of and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;

(d) wherein a portion of said circuitry is a small outline integrated circuit having a plurality of pins electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board positioned in said cavity, said small outline integrated circuit electrically coupled via said plurality of pins and said printed circuit board to an energy source for storing energy from a voltage intermittently applied between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas, said energy source also positioned in said cavity; and

(e) wherein said plurality of pins equals eight.