Data carrier system having a compact footprint and methods of manufacturing the same

A portable electronic token for use with a control system for interfacing to a host device, the token comprising:

• an enclosure operable to enclose at least a portion of a token receptacle of the control system operable to couple the portable token with the host device, said token receptacle comprising:
• a receptacle body with a volume and an outer surface, said outer surface having a first, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted thereon, said contacts arranged in a dense-packed configuration that minimizes the surface area occupied by the planar array, consistent with sufficient electrical separation between adjacent contacts;
• and
• a first alignment feature and a first retention feature within the volume of the receptacle body;
• wherein said enclosure comprises a second alignment feature operable to mate in engagement with the first alignment feature and a second retention feature operable to hold the portable token in removable connection with the first retention feature of the token receptacle;
• a second, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted in the portable token operable to electronically communicate with the corresponding electrical contacts of the first planar array mounted in the token receptacle when the first and second alignment features and the first and second arrays are in respective mating engagement;
• and
• an electrical component activated by the engagement of the token with the token receptacle, with conductors operable to electronically connect the electrical component to the second, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted in the portable token, the electrical component being mounted within the enclosure and displaced either laterally or vertically or both from the second planar array.

A method of interfacing to a host device through using an electronic token system comprising:

• operably coupling a portable electronic token comprising:
• an enclosure having a first alignment feature and a first retention feature;
• a first, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted within the enclosure of the portable token and exposed inside the enclosure;
• and
• an electrical component with conductors for electrically connecting the electrical component to the first, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted in the portable token, the electrical component being mounted within the enclosure and displaced either laterally or vertically or both from the first planar array;
• with a token receptacle operably coupled with the host device comprising:
• a receptacle body with a volume and an outer surface, said outer surface having a second, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted thereon, said contacts arranged in a dense-packed configuration that minimizes the surface area occupied by the planar array, consistent with sufficient electrical separation between adjacent contacts;
• and
• a second alignment feature and a second retention feature within the volume of the receptacle body;
• such that:
• the enclosure of the portable token encloses at least a portion of the receptacle body, with the first alignment feature matingly engaging with the second alignment feature and the first retention feature holding the portable token in removable connection with the second retention feature of the token receptacle;
• the first, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted within are in mating electrical engagement with the corresponding electrical contacts of the second, generally planar array of electrical contacts mounted in the token receptacle;
• and
• the electrical component is activated by engagement of the token with the token receptacle.