Dallas Semiconductor Corporation

Francis A Scherpenberg

Robert D Lee

Michael L Bolan

Kevin E Deierling

Gary V Zanders

Hal Kurkowski

Stephen M Curry

Eric W Mumper

Donald R Diaz

Neil McLellan

Joseph P Hundt

Mike Strittmatter

John W Rea

Christopher M Sells

Donald R Dias

Wendell L Little

Ching-Lin Jiang

William J Podkowa

William L Payne, Ii

Chao C Mai

Wayne Mendenhall

Titkuan Hui

Clark A Williams

Kevin P D'Angelo

Kevin E Peirling

John W Smith, Jr

William F Davies, Jr

A system comprising a card device for effectuating a transaction when presented to a transaction terminal, the card device including a memory and a first energy source, the source for powering the memory for a period of time, and a card cradle carrier for storing the card device when the card device is not engaged in the transaction. The card cradle carrier is formed of a substantially rigid material and forms at least a portion of a personal effect. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the card cradle carrier includes a second energy source for recharging the first energy source when the card device is received for storage by the card cradle carrier.

Card cradle system and method

A system architecture which provides efficient data communication, over a one-wire bus, with a portable data module which does not necessarily include any accurate time base whatsoever. The time base in the module can be extremely crude (e.g. more than 4:1 uncertainty). An open-collector architecture is used, with electrical relations defined to absolutely minimize the drain on the portable module's battery. The protocol has been specified so that the module never sources current to the data line, but only sinks current. The protocol includes signals for read; write-zero; write-one; and reset. Each one-bit transaction is initiated by a falling edge from the host. The time base in the module defines a delay, after which (in write mode) the module tests the data state of the data line. In read mode, after a falling edge the module does or does not turn on its pull-down transistor, depending on the data value. Thus, the host system, after the falling edge, attempts to pull the data line high again, and then tests the potential of the data line to ascertain the data value.

Single wire data communication method

A secured metal token using a single wire communication system is employed to dispense units of value and to provide a secure storage device for controlling the dispensing of articles or service items. The metal token can be formed of two pieces with a simplified electronic circuit inside which can contain units of value for the dispensing of items using the memory within the metal token as a secure vault. The token uses a simple two wire (ground and combined clock/data) arrangment. As goods are purchased or services rendered the value of those good or services is deducted from a prestored amount within the token.

Metal token having units of value stored therein using a single wire

A memory controller for supplying backup battery power when a main power supply voltage drops together with programmable plus power fail write protection. The controller includes supravoltage induced sleep mode operation, MOS switching between backup batteries during backup operation based on battery voltage levels and discharge circuitry for battery disposal.

Systems and methods for memory control

A communication circuit is provided in which reads from a device are controlled by sensing a transition by a host communicating with a device. The device then accepts a one which holds the line high for a predetermined time period or accepts a zero when the line is held high for a different time period. The sending of data is accomplished in a symmetrical relationship by having the device after the host pulls the line high by either by allowing the line to remain high or forcing the line to ground within the requisite time periods. This allows the 'slave' device to consume almost no power in either the read or the write modes.

Single wire communication system

A digital rheostat or potentiometer which provides both increment and decrement operations from a single input such as a pushbutton. A certain pattern of input actuations will cause the direction of change to reverse. Settings of the potentiometer are stored in nonvolatile memory.

Digital potentiometer

A socket system that comprises a printed circuit board; an electrical module; and a socket having a hollow core. The socket holds the electrical module and is capable of electrically coupling the electrical module to the printed circuit board. The electrical module has at least one electrical lead. The socket has at least one electrical lead capable of electrically coupling with the electrical lead(s) of the electrical module. The electrical module comprises a second printed circuit board having a first and second surface; a lithium battery positioned on the first surface of the second printed circuit board and electrically coupled with the second printed circuit board, a crystal positioned on the first surface of said second printed circuit board and electrically coupled with the second printed circuit board, and an integrated circuit positioned on the second surface of the second printed circuit board.

Method of assembling electronic component

An electronic token has at least two conductive surfaces which form either in total or in part a crush resistant casing in which a semiconductor memory is placed. Coupled to the two conductive surfaces is a set of input logic which is used to detect whether or not the first conductive surface is coupled to a device in which a first voltage or a second voltage is present and in which data can be stored in the semiconductor memory accordingly. Output logic is also provided so as to selectively poll the first conductive surface of said casing towards the second voltage with the output logic being electronically coupled to the semiconductor memory so that data may be retrieved from the stored memory. The stored information may be used for controlling access to items, for example as a lock. It may further be used as an inventory control device, postage control device, currency device for the sale of goods. This item can act as a portable storage device which allows through its updating capabilities a mechanism for updating values within the device, such as money units or their equivalents.

Electronic token

A socket system that comprises a printed circuit board; an electrical module; and a socket having a hollow core. The socket holds the electrical module and is capable of electrically coupling the electrical module to the printed circuit board. The electrical module has at least one electrical lead. The socket has at least one electrical lead capable of electrically coupling with the electrical lead(s) of the electrical module. The electrical module comprises a second printed circuit board having a first and second surface; a lithium battery positioned on the first surface of the second printed circuit board and electrically coupled with the second printed circuit board, a crystal positioned on the first surface of the second printed circuit board and electrically coupled with the second printed circuit board, and an integrated circuit positioned on the second surface of the second printed circuit board. A cap extends around and encloses and seals electrical elements of the electrical module. The cap may also have a baffle extending from the cap to surround and secure selected electrical components housed by the cap of the electrical module. The process of providing a printed circuit board, mounting a socket on the printed circuit board, placing the printed circuit board with the socket mounted on it in surface mount reflow oven and heating the printed circuit board and the socket to bond the socket to the printed circuit board, placing a cap over and around an electrical module and bending extended edges of the cap over and around the electrical module to seal electrical components inside the electrical module; and inserting an electrical module with the cap in the socket. If baffles are used, they will need to be aligned with selected electrical component of the electrical module.

Enhanced low profile sockets and module systems

A nonvolatile memory, includes multiple nonvolatile registers with each nonvolatile register including memory cells, and further includes circuitry that writes information to each of the nonvolatile registers one at a time, in a rotating order to prolong the prevention of tunneling oxide breakdown.

Nonvolatile control architecture

A digital controller comprises a register containing control bits and (b) an input node coupled to the register, wherein a first signal at the input node changes a first pattern of the control bits into (i) a second pattern of the control bits when a time interval between the first signal and an immediately preceding second signal is greater than a first time interval or (ii) into a third pattern of the control bits differing from the second pattern when the time interval is less than a second time interval which is less than the first time interval. The register is electrically coupled to a counter, which counts at a variable rate. The control bits controls the variable rate at which the counter counts. A second signal may also selectably change the second pattern of control bits to be changed to a fourth pattern of control bits or the third pattern of control bits to be changed to the fourth pattern of control bits. The fourth pattern of control bits causes the counter to change the direction the counter is counting. The counter preferably varies a resistance of a resistor coupled between a power source and an output to control audio of an audio system and/or to control brightness of light emitted from a light source.

Digital controller

Low profile sockets and modules for surface mountable applications

An integrate circuit companding amplifier for analog signals with digitally controlled gain. The expansion amplifier uses a square law with presentation of sign and the compression amplifier uses the inverse (square root law with preservation of sign). A digital potentiometer determines the gain, and peak detection plus feedback control of the potentiometer provides for automatic gain control. Three wire communication can program a fixed gain.

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

Francis A Scherpenberg