The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 24, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1994
Robert D Lee, Denton, TX (US);
Stephen M Curry, Dallas, TX (US);
Michael L Bolan, Dallas, TX (US);
Hal Kurkowski, Dallas, TX (US);
Donald R Diaz, Carrollton, TX (US);
Francis A Scherpenberg, Dallas, TX (US);
Kevin E Deierling, Los Altos Hills, CA (US);
Dallas Semiconductor Corporation, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
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.