Electronic labeling systems and methods and electronic card systems and methods

• US 6,036,101 A
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hass, Steven N., Bolan, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Douglas X.
• Application Number:
  US09/009,666
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/439, 235/441
• 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 5/141 Battery and back-up supplies
• 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 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48228 the bond pad being disposed in a recess of the surface of the item
• 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 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12032 Schottky diode
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1301 : Thyristor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1305 : Bipolar Junction Transistor [BJT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 : Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 : Impedance

Abstract

Coin-shaped one-wire communication modules with a flange for mounting convenience may be attached to contact extensions on items such as work totes for ease of communication. A host computer can keep track and locate multiple items which have mounted communication modules with use of a single data line and a single ground line for all of the modules

Claims

1. An identification label, comprising:

(a) a first electrical contact;

(b) a second electrical contact;

(c) an electronic circuit comprising

(c1) an input-output terminal electrically coupled to said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact via a one-wire bus;

(c2) a converter coupled to said input-output terminal;

(c3) a scratchpad memory electrically coupled to said converter;

(c4) a secure memory coupled to said scratchpad memory; and

(c5) a control logic unit electrically coupled to each of said converter, said scratchpad memory and said secure memory, said control logic unit transfering information from said scratchpad memory to said secure memory as a block of data in response to a block transfer command received at said input-output terminal via said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact,

wherein said electronic circuit provides receipt and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.

2. The identification label of claim 1, wherein said first and second electrical contacts extend out and away from said electronic circuit and are affixed to the outside of a collapsible container of a fluid.

3. The identification label of claim 2, wherein said fluid comprises blood.

4. The identification label of claim 2, wherein said fluid comprises a drug.

5. The identification label of claim 1, further comprising an encapsulating layer, said encapsulating layer sealing said electronic circuit.

6. The identification label of claim 1, wherein each of said first electrical contact and said electrical contact is solderable.

7. The identification label of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit drives a light emitting diode via said input-output terminal.

8. The identification label of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit has a side surface, said side surface having an adhesive positioned thereon for adhering said electronic circuit to a physical object.

9. The identification label of claim 8, wherein said physical object is a credit card.

10. The identification label of claim 1, wherein each of said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact is wire-bondable.