Adaptable value token

Abstract

Abstract A portable on-person data component comprising in a unified construction a highly integrated circuit capable of performing data logic and processing fucntions, is connected, on the one hand, to means (1) arranged on the component for manually inserting command data into keyboard scanning and logic recognition circuit (2) representing for example program data or a personal identity number, on the other hand is also connected to input/output circuitry (15) which is accessible from the outside solely via a reactive coupling link (capacitive or inductive coupling). The device includes a long-life battery for maintaining the various memory circuits. Clock pulses received via an inductive pickup loop (20) partially recharge the battery during every use cycle, and provide the basic synchronization with the circuitry in the terminal to which the component is coupled. There is also a display device (13) on which the holder may call up any of a number of data records held in data stores (5 and 6). Other stores in the circuitry cannot be read out nor displayed, such as for example the instruction registre or the personal identity register preset in the component. it is a feature of the invention that program data can be introduced via the reactive interface (17) in order that the processing steps may reflect the nature of the terminal into which the component is inserted and interfaced by proximity. It is clear that different performance tasks are to be performed when the terminal is: a vending machine, an electronic game input device, a bus farebox, a train access gate, a security access gate, etc. Program Data entered into a data component by a terminal are arranged to cancel any incompatible program data entered manually via the keyboard (1).

Inventors

• 👤 David Arthur B.Sc. Chalmers

Bibliographic Details