Integrated circuit for identifying an item via a serial port

• US 6,122,704 A
• Filed: 03/14/1995
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): An, Meng-Ai T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/404,210
• Time in Patent Office: 2,016 Days
• Field of Search: 395/80, 395/427, 380/23, 235/380, 235/382, 711/100, 711/163, 711/164, 712/1
• US Class Current: 711/100
• 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 19/047 the record carrier being shaped as a coin or a gambling token
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0706 the battery being replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07735 the record carrier comprising means for protecting against electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07743 External electrical contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0021 for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0086 the connector comprising a circuit for steering the operations of the card connector
• 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 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 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32225 : the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• 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 2224/48465 : the other connecting portion not on the bonding area being a wedge bond, i.e. ball-to-wedge, regular stitch
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73204 : the bump connector being embedded into the layer connector
• 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. A die-sized electronic label for identifying and storing information about an object to which said die-sized electronic label is attached, said die-sized electronic label comprising:

a silicon die having only a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact for contacting external circuitry;

bidirectional series port circuitry in said silicon die connected to said first electrical contact and to said second electrical contact;

an identification circuit in said silicon die which can uniquely identify said die-sized electronic label and which can communicate via said bidirectional serial port.

2. The die-sized electronic label of claim 1, wherein said further comprises a memory circuit, in said silicon die and connected to said bidirectional serial port circuitry, for storing data.

3. The die-sized electronic label of claim 1, further comprising:

a first side whereon said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact are located; and

a second side.

4. The die-sized electronic label of claim 3, further comprising an adhesive portion on said second side for attaching said die-sized electronic label to an item.

5. The die-sized electronic label of claim 3, wherein said first electric contact has an oblong shape and covers approximately one-third of said first side.

6. The die-sized electronic label of claim 3, wherein said die-sized electronic label is attached to at least one of a message pad, a file folder, a consumer good, a packaged meat product, a medical item, a paper product, and a flexible surface.

7. The die-sized electronic label of claim 3, wherein said die-sized electronic label can be incorporated into at least one of a message pad, a file folder, a consumer good, a packaged meat product, a medical item, a paper product, and a flexible surface.