Microelectronic memory key with receptacle and systems therefor

Claim 1

In combination: a key-like device having head and insert body portions, the insert body portion being adapted for insertion into a receptacle and rotation therein to a "locked" position and including in cross section a major dimension with opposing upper and lower surfaces, a smaller minor dimension with opposing side surfaces, and a plurality of spaced transverse grooves formed on the major surfaces, and An electrical circuit element encapsulated within the key, the element including a plurality of electrical leads, each of which extend into one of the grooves and lie therein to form a plurality of electrical contacts; a receptacle defining a keyway for receiving the key insert body portion and the spaced electrical contacts carried thereby, the keyway including a plurality of correspondingly spaced electrical contacts, insertion guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during insertion with the contacts thereof angularly displaced from the keyway contacts, rotation guide means in the keyway for guiding the insert body portion during rotation to a "locked" position in the receptacle and bringing the insert and keyway contacts together in contacting pairs, and wherein each keyway contact comprises a conductive lead having a resilient bend portion positioned in the keyway for contacting a correspondingly spaced insert body contact upon rotation of the insert body to the "locked" position in the receptacle.