Electronic Communication System

A method for electronic communication of a signal between a first fastener and another fastener in a series of two or more fasteners, said first fastener including:

• a fastener body having a catch portion, said fastener body including circuit completion means to electrically connect with terminal means to complete an electronic circuit;
• and
• a fastener base including said terminal means, a complementary receiving means for engageably receiving said catch portion and wiring to electrically communicate the connection of said circuit completion means with said terminal means to the other fastener,
• said method including the steps of:
• said fastener body making connection with said fastener base thereby locking said first fastener;
• said connection switching said electronic circuit;
• and
• said electronic circuit signalling to the other fastener to activate or deactivate.

A method for electronic communication of a signal between a first fastener and another fastener in a series of two or more fasteners, said first fastener including:

• a fastener body having a catch portion, said fastener body including circuit completion means to electrically connect with terminal means to complete an electronic circuit;
• and
• a fastener base including said terminal means, a complementary receiving means for engageably receiving said catch portion and wiring to electrically communicate the connection of said circuit completion means with said terminal means to the other fastener,
• said method including the steps of:
• said fastener body releasing connection from said fastener base to assume its unlocked state;
• said connection release switching said electronic circuit;
• and
• said electronic circuit signalling to the other fastener to activate or deactivate.

An electronic communication system for communication of information from a fastener to at least one separate device, said system including:

• (a) the fastener operable to close or open and including:
• (i) a fastener body having a catch portion;
• and
• (iii) a fastener base having a complementary receiving means for engageably receiving said catch portion;
• (b) electronic circuitry at least partially included in said fastener base to detect the closed or open status of said fastener and to generate the information relating to the open or closed status of said fastener;
• and
• (c) electronic communication means linking said fastener to the at least one separate device to communicate the information,
• wherein:
• said fastener body includes circuit completion means to electrically connect with terminal means in said fastener base to complete said electronic circuitry.