US 5,517,015 A · Communication module

Abstract

A communication module comprises a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas. The first and second surface areas are electrically isolated from each other and circuitry is positioned in the cavity within the substantially token-shaped body, and has connections to said first and second areas. The substantially token-shaped body has a perimeter around it. The first and second electrically conductive surface areas form a substantial portion of the substantially token-shaped body. The first and second electrically conductive surface areas form a cavity. One of the surface areas forming a flange around the perimeter of the substantially token-shaped body. The flange preferably resides in one geometric plane. The circuitry provides for the receipt and transmission of digital signals that are determined as voltage differences between said first and second areas. The circuitry preferably includes a capacitor for storing energy from said voltage intermittently applied between the first and second areas, so that the circuit is powered by a battery within said body. The first area comprises one flat face of the body and the second area comprises a second flat face parallel to said one flat face plus a portion of a curved surface which is perpendicular to said flat faces. The circuitry includes (1) a voltage level detector coupled to the first and second areas for receiving signals applied as voltage differences between the first and second areas and (2) a switch connecting the first and second areas for sending signals by changing the resistance between the first and second areas. The voltage level detector preferably detects only two levels.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A communication module comprising:

(a) a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas and having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas electrically isolated from each other, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a cavity, one of said first or second electrically conductive surface areas forming a flange that extends substantially around said perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, said flange extending outward and away from said substantially token-shaped body, said flange residing in one geometric plane;
(b) circuitry positioned in said cavity within said substantially token-shaped body, said circuitry electrically coupled to said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;
(c) wherein said circuitry provides receipt of and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;
(d) wherein said first electrically conductive surface area comprises a first flat face of said substantially token-shaped body;
and
(e) said second electrically conductive surface area comprises a second flat face parallel to said first flat face and a curved surface which is perpendicular to said first flat face and said second flat face, said second flat face forming said flange.

3 more elements

A communication module comprising:

(a) a substantially token-shaped body with first and second electrically conductive surface areas and having a perimeter around said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas electrically isolated from each other, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a substantial portion of said substantially token-shaped body, said first and second electrically conductive surface areas forming a cavity, one of said first or second electrically conductive surface areas forming a flange that extends substantially around said perimeter of said substantially token-shaped body, said flange extending outward and away from said substantially token-shaped body, said flange residing in one geometric plane;
(b) circuitry positioned in said cavity within said substantially token-shaped body, said circuitry electrically coupled to said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;
(c) wherein said circuitry provides receipt of and transmission of digital signals as voltage differences between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas;
(d) wherein a portion of said circuitry is a small outline integrated circuit having a plurality of pins electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board positioned in said cavity, said small outline integrated circuit electrically coupled via said plurality of pins and said printed circuit board to an energy source from a voltage intermittently applied between said first and second electrically conductive surface areas, said energy source also positioned in said cavity;
and
(e) wherein said first electrically conductive surface area comprises a first flat face of said substantially token-shaped body and said second electrically conductive area comprises a second flat face parallel to said first flat face and a curved surface which is perpendicular to said first flat face and said second flat face, said second flat face forming said flange, and said flange extending entirely around said perimeter.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Communication module

Life of this patent

Communication module

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5