Token shaped module for housing an electronic circuit

• US 5,831,827 A
• Filed: 02/26/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gattenby, Elaine J., Bolan, Michael L., Fekete, Nicholas M. G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPARKS, DONALD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/806,392
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 174/52.1, 174/52.4, 206/701, 206/710, 220/4.01, 220/4.21, 220/4.24, 220/324, 220/326, 257/678, 257/699, 257/704, 257/708, 257/709, 257/728, 257/729, 257/730, 257/732, 257/731, 361/728, 361/732, 361/735, 361/737, 361/740, 361/747, 361/752, 361/807, 361/809, 361/810, 361/820, 429/96-100, 235/387, 235/388, 235/492, 235/493, 437/209
• US Class Current: 361/728
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/043 the container being a hollow construction and having a conductive base as a mounting as well as a lead for the semiconductor body
• 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

Abstract

A module houses electronic circuitry that comprises a first electrically conductive surface area and a second electrically conductive surface. The first and second electrically conductive surfaces combine to form a substantially token-shaped body. The body has a groove positioned around its perimeter. A probe that has a first end and a second end. A conductive, approximately pointed tip that extends from the first end of the probe and a conductive sleeve extends outward from pointed tip from a location proximate to said first end to a second distance. A first electrical connection contacts the tip and extends from the first end through the probe out the second end. A second electrical connection contacts the sleeve and extends from the first end through the probe out from the second end. A housing that holds an electronic module. The electronic module has a first surface and a second surface. The housing comprises a first end and a second end; and a hole positioned in the first end that allows an electronic module to be inserted therethrough. An electronic module connector that is shaped to receive an electronic module comprises a first conductive surface positioned on the perimeter of the electronic module connector, the first surface raised, a second conductive surface that extends horizontally at an angle to the first surface. A bracelet for housing an electronic module that has a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface and comprises a housing to hold an electronic module so that the first and second conductive surfaces can be contacted from outside and a band that is mechanically coupled to the housing.

Claims

1. A module that houses electronic circuitry, comprising:

(a) a first electrically conductive surface;

(b) a second electrically conductive surface, said first and second electrically conductive surfaces combined to form a substantially token-shaped body, said body having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surfaces electrically isolated from each other, said second electrically conductive surface having a first groove positioned around the perimeter of said second surface of said substantially token-shaped body, so that a groove exists around the perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, a portion of said second conductive surface forms a flange, said flange extends around the perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein:

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

(b) said second electrically conductive surface comprises a second flat face parallel to said first flat face plus a portion of a curved surface which is perpendicular to said first flat face and said second flat face.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein said substantially token-shaped body is button-shaped.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein said substantially token-shaped body has only two electrically conductive surface areas.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein said first and second conductive surfaces are comprised of metal.

6. A module that houses electronic circuitry, comprising:

a first conductive portion;

a second conductive portion, said first conductive portion and said second conductive portion combine to form a substantially cylindrical body, a first end of said cylindrical body comprising said first conductive portion and a second end of said cylindrical body comprising said second conductive portion; and

a flange, being a portion of said second conductive portion, having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface located between said first end and said second end of said cylindrical body, said flange extending radially from said cylindrical body and around the circumference of said substantially cylindrical body; and

a groove about a circumference of said substantially cylindrical body.

7. The module of claim 6, further comprising an annular groove about said cylindrical body.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein said first conductive portion and said second conductive portion are electrically insulated from each other.