Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Condition responsive
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-05-15
Fleming, Fritz (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Condition responsive
C307S150000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232677
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of resetting an electric device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic identification systems typically comprise two devices which are configured to communicate with one another. Preferred configurations of the electronic identification systems are operable to provide such communications via a wireless medium.
One such configuration is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,043, filed Aug. 29, 1996, assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference. This application discloses the use of a radio frequency (RF) communication system including communication devices. The disclosed communication devices include an interrogator and a transponder, such as a tag or card.
Such communication systems can be used in various identification functions and other applications. The interrogator is configured to output a polling signal which may comprise a radio frequency signal including a predefined code. The transponders of such a communication system are operable to transmit an identification signal responsive to receiving an appropriate command or polling signal. More specifically, the appropriate transponders are configured to recognize the predefined code. The transponders receiving the code subsequently output a particular identification signal which is associated with the transmitting transponder. Following transmission of the polling signal, the interrogator is configured to receive the identification signals enabling detection of the presence of corresponding transponders.
Such communication systems are useable in identification applications such as inventory or other object monitoring. For example, a remote identification device is attached to an object of interest. Responsive to receiving the appropriate polling signal, the identification device is equipped to output an identification signal. Generating the identification signal identifies the presence or location of the identification device and the article or object attached thereto.
Some electronic and communication devices utilize a conductive adhesive or epoxy for attachment of circuit or electrical components to conductive patterns or traces upon a base substrate of the communication device. The epoxy is applied by conventional techniques, such as stencil printing, and thereafter the electrical component is placed in contact with the epoxy. The epoxy is thereafter cured over a sufficient period of time. Such curing renders the epoxy conductive providing electrical coupling of the electrical component with the conductive trace.
It has been observed that certain epoxies gradually become conductive over a period of time during cure. Slow curing of the epoxy may cause electrical circuitry within the electronic device to latch-up such that it does not properly function. Latching-up of the component circuitry is a result of the epoxy being only partially conductive during cure.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide component attachment using conductive adhesive or epoxy while alleviating problems typically associated therewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus configured to reset an electrical device having a power supply. The apparatus includes plural electrodes configured for electrical engagement with plural terminals of a power supply of the electrical device. A switch is provided which has plural power terminals and a control terminal. The power terminals are electrically coupled with the electrodes and the control terminal is operable to receive a control signal. The switch is configured to electrically connect the power terminals and short the power supply responsive to the control signal. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to generate the control signal and apply the control signal to the switch. Preferred embodiments include an indicator to indicate shorting of the power supply.
The present invention provides a method of resetting an electrical device in a next aspect of the present invention. The method includes providing an electrical device including a power supply, an electrical component and an interconnect. The method also includes electrically coupling the power supply and the electrical component using the interconnect and shorting the power supply of the electrical device following the coupling. The short is removed and thereafter power is applied from the power supply to the electrical component via the interconnect.
Another method of forming an electrical device in accordance with the present invention includes providing a substrate and supporting a power supply and electrical component using the substrate. This method also includes coupling the power supply and the electrical component using an interconnect, temporarily shorting the power supply and applying power via the interconnect to the electrical component using the power supply.
The present invention also discloses another method of forming an electrical device. The method according to this aspect of the subject invention includes supporting a power supply using a substrate and coupling an electrical component with the power supply using an adhesive. The method further provides curing the adhesive, shorting the power supply, and conducting electricity using the cured adhesive after the shorting.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a remote intelligent communication device. This method includes forming a conductive pattern upon a substrate and electrically coupling an integrated circuit with the conductive pattern. The method further provides electrically coupling a power supply having a power terminal and a ground terminal with the conductive pattern and electrically coupling a reset device with the power terminal and the ground terminal of the power supply. Next, the power terminal and the ground terminal of the power supply are shorted using the reset device and electricity is applied to the integrated circuit following the shorting.
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U.S. application No. 08/806,158, Tuttle et al., filed Feb. 25, 1997.
Trosper Scott T.
Tuttle Mark E.
Fleming Fritz
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
Wells, St. John, Roberts Gregory & Matkin P.S.
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