Abstract:
A pocket mounted on a support structure can receive a tag carrying a memory button. The pocket is sized and configured to urge the tag toward the support structure and a contact surface of the memory button into electrical communication with a tag contact on the support structure. The pocket can include a slot into which a key flange of the tag can slide. The slot includes an end that acts as a stop for the key flange and ensures adequate alignment of the memory button and the tag contact.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to memory button identification and mounting of keys and other security items. 
         [0002]    Memory buttons or Dallas iButtons afford an inexpensive way to provide an ID associated with a security object. The security objects can be any object to which such memory buttons can be attached, and have been used with such objects as keys, cards, and other small and lightweight objects deserving security, such as small medicinal packages of liquids, pills, and capsules. The ID can be read electrically with a signal wire paired with a neutral wire for easy identification. However, packaging and mounting the objects to easily read a memory button associated with each object can pose challenges. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a memory button mount can include a pocket having a main wall and two opposed sidewalls connected thereto, the opposed sidewalls each including at least one leg configured to extend into a support structure. The memory button mount can also include a tag configured to retain the memory button so that a contact surface of the memory button is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a main body of the tag, the pocket being configured such that when mounted on a support structure, the pocket is configured to receive the tag with the main wall urging the tag and a contact surface of the memory button toward a support surface of the support structure. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment of the invention disclosed herein can include a memory button mount having a tag bearing a memory button and a pocket connected to a support structure. The pocket can be configured to removably hold the tag and to urge the memory button toward a support surface of the support structure. A first contact on the support surface can be configured for electrical communication with a contact surface of the memory button when the tag is fully inserted into the pocket, and a second contact on the support surface can be configured for electrical communication with a contact surface of the memory button when the memory button is fully inserted into the pocket. 
         [0005]    An additional embodiment of the invention disclosed herein can take the form of a memory button mount in which a tag can include a main body configured to retain a memory button with a contact surface of the memory button spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the main body and a contact surface of the memory button extending between the main body and the contact surface. In addition, the mount can include a pocket having at least three walls including a main wall and two opposed sidewalls extending substantially orthogonally from the main wall, each sidewall including a leg configured for insertion into a support structure, the sidewalls and main wall being sized and configured to receive the tag and the memory button. When the tag is inserted into the pocket, a first contact on the support surface is in electrical communication with the contact surface of the memory button. 
         [0006]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic orthographic view of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic orthographic view of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a sheet metal flat that can be used to form a tag of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a schematic orthographic view of a tag of a memory mount being formed from the sheet metal flat of  FIG. 6  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic end view of the tag of a memory mount being formed of  FIG. 7  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic orthographic back view of a tag of a memory mount without a memory button according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a schematic orthographic front view of a tag of a memory mount with a memory button according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a schematic side view of the tag of a memory mount of  FIG. 10  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a schematic end view of the tag of the memory mount of  FIGS. 10 and 11  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a schematic plan view of the tag of a memory mount of  FIGS. 10-12  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a schematic plan view of a sheet metal flat that can be used to form a pocket of a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a schematic end view of a pocket of a memory mount formed from the flat of  FIG. 14  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a schematic plan view of a pocket of a memory mount formed from the flat of  FIG. 14  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a schematic side view of a pocket of a memory mount formed from the flat of  FIG. 14  according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of a security asset management system in which a memory mount according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be used. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Embodiments described in this application can provide a memory button mount that is simple, compact, durable, and effective in providing electrically readable IDs for security objects, such as keys. Memory buttons can be attached to tags connected to keys to give each key or group of keys an ID. The tags cooperate with respective pockets or cages attached to a support surface to mount the memory buttons to which they are connected. The pockets can bias the memory buttons toward the support surface to engage contacts so that each memory button can be read electrically. In addition, the pockets can facilitate removal and replacement of memory buttons, as well as keys connected thereto via the tags. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a mount  100  can include a tag  200  which can be inserted into a pocket or cage  300  attached to a support  10 , which can include a support surface  12  ( FIGS. 3-5 ). Tag  200  can include main body  210  that can hold a memory button  220 . A key flange  230  can project from main body  210  and can include a ring passage  232  through which a key ring  20  or the like can pass to attach at least one key  30  to tag  200  or vice versa. A label flange  240  can also extend from main body  210  and can be used to bear indicia  242  or the like to identify tag  100  and/or associated keys attached thereto or vice versa. 
         [0028]    As can be seen, tag  200  can be inserted into pocket or cage  300 , with main body  210  sliding against an inner surface of a main wall  310  of pocket or cage  300  and key flange  230  sliding in a slot  312  of main wall  310  of pocket or cage  300 . Slot  312  in embodiments can include rounded entry corners  314  to aid insertion of tag  200  into pocket or cage  300 , and can include an end  316  that can stop key flange  230  at a desired point. Pocket or cage  300  can include opposed sidewalls  320  which can each bear at least one leg  322 . Each leg  322  can include a knee  324  to hold sidewall  320  off of the support surface  12  ( FIGS. 3-5 ). In embodiments, pocket or cage  300  can also include an end wall  330 , which can also include at least one leg  332 , which can each include a respective knee  334 . Where end wall  330  is included, it can strengthen the connection between pocket or cage  300  and the support structure  10 , though in embodiments the end wall  330  can be omitted. 
         [0029]    While tag  200  and pocket or cage  300  can be made from any suitable material and/or by any suitable method, embodiments include forming tag  200  and/or pocket or cage  300  from sheet metal. With reference to  FIGS. 6-9 , tag  200  can be formed from a flat  202 , which can be formed from sheet metal or the like. Flat  202  can include a central main body portion  212  with a hole  214  therein through which memory button  220  can be inserted. Here button  220  is left out so that it does not obstruct the view of tag  200 , but it should be understood that memory button  220  should be inserted through hole  214  before bending flat  202  to form tag  200 .  FIGS. 10-13  show tag  200  formed and with memory button  220  inserted therein. In particular, a rim  226  of memory button  226  can be engaged by portions of flat  202  and/or tag  200  to facilitate electrical communication with memory button  220 . 
         [0030]    As can particularly be seen in  FIG. 6 , flat  202  can include left and right main wall portions  216 , 218 , as well as left and right key flange portions  234 ,  236 . Each key flange portion  234 ,  236  can include a respective key passage hole  237 ,  238 . Inner fold lines  211 ,  213  and outer fold lines  215 ,  217  are included in  FIG. 6  for illustrative purposes, but it should be understood that these are not necessarily marked on flat  202 . In embodiments, however, material along fold lines  211 ,  213 ,  215 ,  217  can be removed and/or thinned and/or perforated and/or otherwise weakened to reduce force required to bend the relevant portions of flat  202 , as well as to reduce formation of sharp corners and/or edges during bending. 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIGS. 6-9 , left and right main wall portions  216 ,  218  can be folded in a first direction around inner fold lines  211 ,  213  toward central main body portion  212 , with left and right key flange portions  234 ,  236  folded in a second, opposite direction around outer fold lines  215 ,  217  away from central main body portion  212 . Left and right main wall portions  216 ,  218  can thereby press against memory button  220  (not shown in  FIGS. 6-9 ) to retain it in hole  214 . In addition, with left and right key flange portions  234 ,  236  aligned and/or in engagement, key passage holes  237 ,  238  can form key passage  232 . Further, a grommet or the like can be inserted into key passage  232  to urge and retain key flange portions  234 ,  236  together, as well as to facilitate insertion of a key ring through key passage  232 . 
         [0032]    Like tag  200 , pocket or cage  300  of embodiments can be formed from a flat  302 , as seen in  FIGS. 14-17 . Flat  302  can include main wall  310  as a central portion thereof, with opposed sidewalls  320  included as left and right portions of flat  302 . Where included, end wall  330  can be included as a bottom portion of flat  302 . Flat  302  can include any or all features of pocket or cage  300 , which can include slot  312 , rounded entry corners  314 , end  316  of slot  312 , legs  322 ,  332 , and/or knees 324, 334. Fold lines  311 ,  313 ,  315  are shown in  FIG. 14 , but are not necessarily marked on flat  302 . In embodiments, as with tag  200 , material along any or all of fold lines  311 ,  313 ,  315  can be removed and/or thinned and/or perforated and/or otherwise weakened to reduce bending force required and/or bulk of material in pocket or cage  300  when formed. Opposed sidewalls  320  can be folded in a first direction around fold lines  311 ,  313  until substantially perpendicular to main wall  310 , and, where included, end wall  330  can be bent around fold line  315  until substantially perpendicular to main wall  310 . 
         [0033]    In embodiments, memory button mount  100  can be part of a security asset management system (SAM) in which support structure  10  can include a circuit board or the like. For example, as seen in  FIG. 18 , a SAM  40  can include a controller  270  coupled to a user interface  272  and a database  274  including user information and associated authentication information. Controller  270  can also be coupled to an asset panel  276  of support structure  10  via a 1-wire communication bus  278 . The 1-wire communication bus refers to the fact that only one signal wire is needed (in addition to a ground connection) for communication. A suitable 1-wire communication bus may be implemented using the Dallas Semiconductor 1-wire protocol developed for their touch memory iButton devices and is familiar to those skilled in the art. Such touch memory iButton devices can be used as memory button  220  of embodiments of tag  200  and mount  100  described above. 
         [0034]    A connector  280  can be provided on asset panel  276  to have a 1-wire signal connection  282  and a ground connection  284 . A plurality of memory button mounts, here pockets or cages  300 , can be present on asset panel  276 , each pocket or cage  300  being mounted in electrical communication with a first electrical contact  288  on support surface  12  of panel  276  and over a second electrical contact  290  on support surface  12  of panel  276 . Second electrical contacts  290  can be located so that, referring again to  FIGS. 3-5  in conjunction with  FIG. 18 , when a tag  200  is inserted into a pocket or cage  300 , a respective contact surface  222  of a respective memory button  220  can be in electrical communication with a respective second electrical contact  290 . Second electrical contacts  290  can be coupled to 1-wire signal connection(s)  282  by circuit traces and/or other conductive paths, such as, but not limited to wires. Similarly, first electrical contacts  288  can all be coupled to ground connection  284  by circuit traces and/or other conductive paths, such as, but not limited to wires, and pockets or cages  300  can be in electrical communication therewith. For example, sidewalls  320  and/or legs  322  can be connected to first contacts  288 , though other arrangements fall well within the scope of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
         [0035]    Using a 1-wire protocol, controller  270  can query the asset panel  276  coupled to 1-wire bus  278  to see what, if any, memory button identification tags  200  are plugged into pockets or cages  300 . If a memory button  220  is present, it will respond to a query from controller  270 , letting the controller know the memory button (and therefore the asset associated with the memory button) is present. Depending on the embodiment, a greater or fewer number of pockets or cages  300  can be present on a given asset panel  276 , and more than one asset panel  276  could be coupled to 1-wire communication bus  278  at the same time. 
         [0036]    In embodiments, pocket or cage  300  and tag  200  can be sized so that insertion of tag  200  into pocket or cage  300  results in a snug fit or even a slight interference fit to ensure that contact surface  222  of memory button  220  has sufficient electrical contact with contact  290 . In addition, main wall  310  of pocket or cage  300  can be bent in such a way as to exert a spring force on tag  200  when tag  200  is inserted, urging substantially planar contact surface  222  against support surface  12  and/or contact  290 . 
         [0037]    The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.