Electronic token

Claim 2

An electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine a substantial portion of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to form a cavity; (b) an energy source positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; and (e) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said energy source.

Claim 3

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said output logic only pulls said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage.

Claim 4

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity is volatile, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said energy source so that said data stored in said semiconductor memory remains stored in said semiconductor memory.

Claim 5

The electronic token of claim 1, further wherein said first conductive surface is electrically coupled to a first signal line, said second conductive surface electrically coupled to a second signal line, said input logic comprises a N-channel field-effect transistor electrically coupled to said first signal line via said first conductive surface to selectably pull said first conductive surface toward a ground potential and a high-impedance pull-down element electrically coupled to said second signal line via said second conductive surface to selectably pull down said second signal line toward a ground potential.

Claim 6

The electronic token of claim 4, wherein said energy source having a first lead and a total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead substantially greater than an on-state impedance of said N-channel field-effect transistor.

Claim 7

The electronic token of claim 5, wherein the total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead is at least 100 kilohms.

Claim 8

The electronic token of claim 4, wherein said high-impedance pull-down element consists of a very weak transistor connected to be always on.

Claim 9

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein a first portion of said first conductive surface is planar and a second portion of said second conductive surface is planar, said first portion of said first conductive surface and said second portion of said second conductive surface are parallel to one another.

Claim 10

The electronic token of claim 1, further comprising: (f) a voltage level detector coupled to said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface for receiving signals applied as voltage level differences between said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface; and (g) a switch electrically connecting said first conductive surface and said second conductive surfaces for sending signals by changing a resistance between said first conductive surface and second conductive surface.

Claim 11

The electronic token of claim 9, wherein said voltage level differences are approximately 5 volts and said voltage level differences correspond to a logical high and a logical low.

Claim 12

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said casing is button-shaped.

Claim 13

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory, said input logic, said output logic are integrated on a monolithic piece of silicon.

Claim 14

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is affixed to said first conductive surface of said casing to mount said casing to a physical item.

Claim 15

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said casing is mountable to a physical item, said physical item is selected from a group consisting of maintenance records, retail products machinery, cards, personnel identification badges, access control devices, a currency equivalent device and any combination thereof.

Claim 16

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said casing has only said first conductive surface and second conductive surface.

Claim 17

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory, said input logic and said output logic are packaged in a low-height package wherein said low-height package is selected from the group consisting of a flat pack and small in-line integrated circuit, and any combination thereof.

Claim 18

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory, input logic, and output logic are combined into an integrated circuit that is mounted on a very small printed circuit board positioned in said cavity.

Claim 19

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface are comprised of metal.

Claim 20

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said energy source is a battery.

Claim 21

The electronic token of claim 19, wherein said battery is a low voltage battery having a value of approximately 1.5 volts.

Claim 22

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory is static random access memory.

Claim 23

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said memory is storing approximately 4K bits in size.

Claim 24

The electronic token of claim 1, wherein said casing is cylindrical.

Claim 25

The electronic token of claim 23 wherein said cylindrical casing further comprises a flange.

Claim 26

The electronic token of claim 1 wherein said token stores units of currency.

Claim 27

The electronic token of claim 1 wherein said casing is made of a crush resistant material.

Claim 28

The electronic token of claim 1 further comprising: security means contained within said casing for preventing unauthorized altering of data stored within said token.

Claim 29

An electronic token, comprising: (a) a substantially conductive container comprising a first conductive piece and a second conductive piece, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece assembled together to define a recess, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece electrically isolated from each other; (b) an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said energy source positioned inside said recess, said first terminal of said energy source electrically coupled to said first piece of said substantially conductive container; (c) memory and memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said energy source, said memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said memory to control access thereto; (d) a printed circuit board positioned inside said recess, said printed circuit board having multiple conductive lines thereon, said multiple conductive lines electrically isolated from each other; (e) an integrated circuit package comprising an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit package mounted on said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package having multiple leads electrically coupled to said integrated circuit, said multiple leads electrically coupled to said multiple conductive lines electrically connected to respective ones of said multiple conductive lines; (f) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive piece and to said second conductive piece and configured to detect whether said first conductive piece is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and to store data selectably in said memory via said memory access circuitry, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (g) a first one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said second terminal of said energy source and to said integrated circuit package; and (h) a second one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said first conductive piece of said substantially conductive container and to said integrated circuit; (I) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive piece of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said memory and to said memory access circuitry and to said energy source.

Claim 30

An electronic token, comprising: (a) a substantially conductive container comprising a first conductive piece and a second conductive piece, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece assembled together to define a recess, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece electrically isolated from each other; (b) an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said energy source positioned inside said recess, said first terminal of said energy source electrically coupled to said first piece of said substantially conductive container; (c) memory and memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said energy source, said memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said memory to control access thereto; (d) a printed circuit board positioned inside said recess, said printed circuit board having multiple conductive lines thereon, said multiple conductive lines electrically isolated from each other; (e) an integrated circuit package comprising an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit package mounted on said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package having multiple leads electrically coupled to said integrated circuit, said multiple leads electrically coupled to said multiple conductive lines electrically connected to respective ones of said multiple conductive lines; (f) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive piece and to said second conductive piece and configured to detect whether said first conductive piece is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and to store data selectably in said memory via said memory access circuitry, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (g) a first one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said second terminal of said energy source and to said integrated circuit package; and (h) a second one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said first conductive piece of said substantially conductive container and to said integrated circuit; (I) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive piece of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said memory and to said memory access circuitry and to said energy source.

Claim 31

The electronic token of claim 28, further comprising: (i) a third one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said second conductive piece of said substantially conductive container and to said integrated circuit.

Claim 32

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said substantially conductive container consists of only two of said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece.

Claim 33

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said printed circuit board is substantially rigid.

Claim 34

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said printed circuit board is flexible.

Claim 35

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece of said substantially conductive container is comprised of stainless steel.

Claim 36

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece of said substantially conductive container are swaged together and potted, to seal said energy source, said integrated circuit, said integrated circuit package, and said printed circuit board in said recess.

Claim 37

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said output logic only pulls said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage.

Claim 38

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said memory is volatile, said memory is electrically coupled to said energy source so that said data stored in said memory remains stored in said memory.

Claim 39

The electronic token of claim 28, further wherein said first conductive piece is electrically coupled to a first signal line, said second conductive piece electrically coupled to a second signal line said input logic comprises a N-channel field-effect transistor electrically coupled to said first signal line via said first conductive piece to selectably pull said first conductive piece toward a ground potential and a high-impedance pull-down element electrically coupled to said second signal line via said second conductive piece to selectably pull down said second signal line toward said ground potential.

Claim 40

The electronic token of claim 37, wherein said energy source having a first lead and a total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead substantially greater than an on-state impedance of said N-channel field-effect transistor.

Claim 41

The electronic token of claim 38, wherein said total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead is at least 100 kilohms.

Claim 42

The electronic token of claim 37, wherein said high-impedance pull-down element comprises a very weak transistor connected to be always on.

Claim 43

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein a first portion of said first conductive piece is planar and a second portion of said second conductive piece is planar surface, said first portion of said first conductive piece and said second portion of second conductive piece are parallel to one another.

Claim 44

The electronic token of claim 28, further comprising: (f) a voltage level detector coupled to said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece for receiving signals applied as voltage level differences between said first conductive piece and second conductive piece; and (g) a switch connecting said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece for sending said signals by changing a resistance between said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece.

Claim 45

The electronic token of claim 42, wherein said voltage level differences are approximately 5 volts and said voltage level differences correspond to a logical high and a logical low.

Claim 46

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said substantially conductive container is button-shaped.

Claim 47

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein an adhesive is affixed to said first conductive piece of said substantially conductive container to mount said substantially conductive container to a physical item.

Claim 48

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said substantially conductive container is mountable to a physical item, said physical item is selected from a group consisting of maintenance records, retail products, machinery, cards, personnel identification badges, an access control device, a currency equivalent device and any combination thereof.

Claim 49

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said integrated circuit package is a low-height package.

Claim 50

The electronic token of claim 47, wherein said low-height package is selected from the group consisting of a flat pack and small out-line integrated circuit, and any combination thereof.

Claim 51

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said energy source is a battery.

Claim 52

The electronic token of claim 49, wherein said battery is a low voltage battery having a value of approximately 1.5 volts.

Claim 53

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said memory is static random access memory.

Claim 54

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said memory stores approximately 4K bits.

Claim 55

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said substantially conductive container is cylindrical.

Claim 56

The electronic token of claim 28 wherein said token stores units of currency.

Claim 57

The electronic token of claim 28 wherein said casing is made of a crush resistant material.

Claim 58

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said substantially conductive container comprises at least said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece.

Claim 59

The electronic token of claim 28 further comprising: security means contained within said casing for preventing unauthorized altering of data stored within said token.

Claim 60

The electronic token of claim 28, wherein said memory is non-volatile.

Claim 61

An electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to be a portion of said casing, said casing forms a cavity; (b) a coupling means to couple to an energy source, said coupling means positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to sad first conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; and (d) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said means to couple to an energy source.

Claim 62

An electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to be a portion of said casing, said casing forms a cavity; (b) a coupling means to couple to an energy source, said coupling means positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to sad first conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; and (d) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said means to couple to an energy source.

Claim 63

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein said semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity is volatile.

Claim 64

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein said first conductive surface is electrically coupled to a first signal line, said second conductive surface electrically coupled to a second signal line, and said input logic comprises a N-channel field-effect transistor electrically coupled to said first signal line via said first conductive surface to selectably pull said first conductive surface toward a ground potential and a high-impedance pull-down element electrically coupled to said second signal line via said second conductive surface to selectably pull down said second signal line toward a ground potential.

Claim 65

The electronic token of claim 61, wherein said means to couple to an energy source couples to a stored energy source and said stored energy source has a first lead and a total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead substantially greater than an on-state impedance of said N-channel field-effect transistor.

Claim 66

The electronic token of claim 62, wherein the total impedance from said first signal line to said first lead is at least 100 kilohms.

Claim 67

The electronic token of claim 61, wherein said high-impedance pull-down element consists of a very weak transistor connected to be always on.

Claim 68

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein a first portion of said first conductive surface is planar and a second portion of said second conductive surface is planar, said first portion of said first conductive surface and said second portion of said second conductive surface are parallel to one another.

Claim 69

The electronic token of claim 59, further comprising: (f) a voltage level detector coupled to said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface for receiving signals applied as voltage level differences between said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface; and (g) a switch electrically connecting said first conductive surface and said second conductive surfaces for sending signals by changing a resistance between said first conductive surface and second conductive surface.

Claim 70

The electronic token of claim 66, wherein said voltage level differences are approximately 5 volts and said voltage level differences correspond to a logical high and a logical low.

Claim 71

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein said casing is button-shaped.

Claim 72

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein said semiconductor memory, said input logic, said output logic are integrated on a monolithic piece of silicon.

Claim 73

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein an adhesive is affixed to said first conductive surface of said casing to mount said casing to a physical item.

Claim 74

The electronic token of claim 59, wherein said casing is mountable to a physical item, said physical item is selected from a group consisting of maintenance records, retail products, machinery, cards, personnel identification badges, currency equivalence, an access control device, a currency equivalent device and any combination thereof.

Claim 75

The electronic token of claim 59 wherein said token stores units of currency.

Claim 76

The electronic token of claim 59 wherein said casing is made of a crush resistant material.

Claim 77

The electronic token of claim 59 wherein said cylindrical casing further comprises a flange.

Claim 78

The electronic token of claim 59 further comprising: security means contained within said casing for preventing unauthorized altering of data stored within said token.

Claim 79

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine a substantial portion of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to form a cavity; (b) an energy source positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (e) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said energy source (f) a human wearable holder.

Claim 80

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine a substantial portion of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to form a cavity; (b) an energy source positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (e) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said energy source (f) a human wearable holder.

Claim 81

The electronic token of claim 76 wherein said human wearable holder is a ring.

Claim 82

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a substantially conductive container comprising a first conductive piece and a second conductive piece, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece assembled together to define a recess, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece electrically isolated from each other; (b) an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said energy source positioned inside said recess, said first termainl of said energy source electrically coupled to said first piece of said substantially conductive container; (c) memory and memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said energy source, said memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said memory to control access thereto; (d) a printed circuit board positioned inside said recess, said printed circuit board having multiple conductive lines thereon, said multiple conductive lines electrically isolated from each other; (e) an integrated circuit package comprising an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit package mounted on said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package having multiple leads electrically coupled to said integrated circuit, said multiple leads electrically coupled to said multiple conductive lines electrically connected to respective ones of said multiple conductive lines; (f) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive piece and to said second conductive piece and configured to detect whether said first conductive piece is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and to store data selectably in said memory via said memory access circuitry, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (g) a first one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said second terminal of said energy source and to said integrated circuit package; (h) a second one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said first conductive piece of said substantially conductive container and to said integrated circuit; (i) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive piece of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said memory and to said memory access circuitry and to said energy source; and (j) a human wearable holder.

Claim 83

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a substantially conductive container comprising a first conductive piece and a second conductive piece, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece assembled together to define a recess, said first conductive piece and said second conductive piece electrically isolated from each other; (b) an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said energy source positioned inside said recess, said first termainl of said energy source electrically coupled to said first piece of said substantially conductive container; (c) memory and memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said energy source, said memory access circuitry electrically coupled to said memory to control access thereto; (d) a printed circuit board positioned inside said recess, said printed circuit board having multiple conductive lines thereon, said multiple conductive lines electrically isolated from each other; (e) an integrated circuit package comprising an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit package mounted on said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package having multiple leads electrically coupled to said integrated circuit, said multiple leads electrically coupled to said multiple conductive lines electrically connected to respective ones of said multiple conductive lines; (f) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said first conductive piece and to said second conductive piece and configured to detect whether said first conductive piece is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and to store data selectably in said memory via said memory access circuitry, said input logic electrically coupled to said energy source; (g) a first one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said second terminal of said energy source and to said integrated circuit package; (h) a second one of said multiple conductive lines on said printed circuit board making electrical contact to said first conductive piece of said substantially conductive container and to said integrated circuit; (i) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive piece of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said memory and to said memory access circuitry and to said energy source; and (j) a human wearable holder.

Claim 84

The electronic token of claim 78 wherein said human wearable holder is a ring.

Claim 85

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to be a portion of said casing, said casing forms a cavity; (b) a coupling means to couple to an energy source, said coupling means positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said firs conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (e) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said means to couple to an energy source (f) a human wearable holder.

Claim 86

A human wearable electronic token, comprising: (a) a casing having a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface accessible from an exterior of said casing, said first conductive surface and said second conductive surface combine to be a portion of said casing, said casing forms a cavity; (b) a coupling means to couple to an energy source, said coupling means positioned in said cavity; (c) a semiconductor memory positioned in said cavity, said semiconductor memory electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (d) input logic operatively electrically coupled to said firs conductive surface and to said second conductive surface of said casing and configured to detect whether said first conductive surface is at a first voltage or at a second voltage and selectably to store data in said semiconductor memory accordingly, said input logic electrically coupled to said means to couple to an energy source; (e) output logic comprising an active device electrically coupled to selectably pull said first conductive surface of said casing toward said second voltage, said output logic electrically coupled to said semiconductor memory and said means to couple to an energy source (f) a human wearable holder.

Claim 87

The electronic token of claim 80 wherein said human wearable holder is a ring.