Abstract:
The present invention provides an electronic circuit for detecting, identifying, and/or activating a digital device, including a touch-and-hold connector configured to hold an object of interest, the digital device coupled to the touch-and-hold connector, for example, wherein the digital device has a unique digital registration number, a microcontroller that reads the unique digital registration number of the digital device, a storage receptacle configured to selectively receive the touch-and-hold connector, a light-emitting source coupled to the storage receptacle and associated with the touch-and-hold connector, and an electrical power source. Further including, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector including a digital device having a unique digital registration number with a first end and a second end, at least one prong located on the first end of the digital device, a touch-and-hold connector having a top portion forming a lip and at least one opening located within the lip for receiving the at least one prong of the digital device, wherein the prong of the digital device is received with the at least one opening within the lip, whereby the digital device is rotated into a position so that the prong is in a spaced apart relationship with the at least one opening forming a releasably secure arrangement between the digital device and touch-and-hold connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/027,451, filed on Feb. 7, 2008, and entitled “READER BOARD ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A DIGITAL DEVICE AMONG MULTIPLE DIGITAL DEVICES,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a reader board assembly circuit, system, and method for identifying a digital device, and more particularly to a reader board assembly circuit, system, and method that enables a microcontroller or microprocessor to identify a digital device among multiple digital devices on a serial data bus, and designating this location via a light emitting source, for example. The reader board assembly circuit, system, and method of the present invention find applicability to key control and management systems, as well as to a plurality of other systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are a number of conventional circuit designs for the detection, identification, and/or activation of digital devices that have unique digital registration numbers. One such digital device is an IButton® microprocessor (Dallas Semiconductor), which may contain a memory, a real-time clock, a transaction counter, a temperature sensor, and/or the like. The microprocessor is typically connected via a one-wire interface that is a serial data bus. In order to utilize, troubleshoot, and repair these circuit designs, the prior art discloses using a switching network to identify the location of a specific digital device. 
         [0004]    What is still needed in the art, however, is a system that consists of discreet modular units that may be added or subtracted as needed, as well as a means for querying a circuit to detect, identify, and/or activate a specific module. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,538 (issued to Maloney on Feb. 17, 2004) discloses one specific application of the digital devices described above. Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of a type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving identification (ID) tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller thus detects and logs the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail. In general, each of the carriers includes an internal addressable switch having one or more input/output (I/O) ports; an on-board sensor, such as a loop-detector sensor for detecting when an object is removed from the carrier, a reed switch for detecting the opening of the carrier, or another type of sensor depending on the intended use of the system; and a light-emitting diode (LED) attached to the carrier. 
         [0006]    What is still needed in the art, however, is a system that is simpler, omitting the internal addressable switch and the one or more I/O ports, and associating the LEDs with the storage receptacle, as opposed to the carriers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system that may be used to selectively enable a microcontroller or microprocessor to detect and identify, in order, a specific digital device among multiple digital devices. As described above, typical of such a digital device is an IButton® microprocessor, which belongs to a generic group of microprocessors that are typically disposed within a protective stainless steel can or the like. Each digital device has a unique digital registration number, and comprises an element of a module. The module also includes a microcontroller, a light-emitting source, and is connected to both a host controller (i.e. another microprocessor) and an electrical power source. The microcontroller and the digital device are in electrical communication with a serial data bus. The light-emitting source provides an identifying position signal for the digital device when activated. Typically, the light-emitting source is a light-emitting diode (LED) or the like, and it is flashed on-and-off, for example. The electrical power source may be auxiliary or, if adequate, drawn directly off the serial data bus. The overall system includes a plurality of modules. 
         [0008]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes a touch-and-hold connector configured to hold an object of interest, a digital device coupled to the touch-and-hold connector, wherein the digital device has a unique digital registration number, a microcontroller that reads the unique digital registration number of the digital device, a storage receptacle configured to selectively receive the touch-and-hold connector, a light-emitting source coupled to the storage receptacle and associated with the touch-and-hold connector, and an electrical power source. 
         [0009]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes a microprocessor, or host controller, in electrical communication with each of the microcontrollers, and, optionally, a computer coupled to the microprocessor. 
         [0010]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes the digital device disposed within a protective housing. 
         [0011]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes a light-emitting diode (LED) associated with the touch-and-hold connector. 
         [0012]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes the digital device in electrical communication with a serial data bus. 
         [0013]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system includes a light-emitting source that provides an identifying position signal indicating when the touch-and-hold connector is the one receiving or not receiving a digital device or multiple digital devices of interest. 
         [0014]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation system further includes a microprocessor, or host controller, operable for selectively illuminating the light-emitting source. 
         [0015]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a reader board assembly system for identifying a digital device among multiple digital devices includes a plurality of touch-and-hold connectors each configured to hold an object of interest, an Ibutton® digital device selectively coupled to each touch-and-hold connector, wherein each digital device has a unique digital registration number, a plurality of microcontrollers each identifying a single Ibutton® among multiple digital devices, a plurality of storage receptacles each configured to selectively receive one of the touch-and-hold connectors, at least one light-emitting source, an electrical power source, and a host controller for sending commands to each of the microcontrollers. 
         [0016]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes providing a touch-and-hold connector configured to hold an object of interest, selectively providing a digital device coupled to the touch-and-hold connector, wherein the digital device has a unique digital registration number, providing a storage receptacle configured to selectively receive the touch-and-hold connector, providing a light-emitting source coupled to the storage receptacle and associated with the touch-and-hold connector, providing an electrical power source, providing a reader board assembly circuit connected to a host controller, sending commands from the host controller to the reader board assembly circuit to reset, sending commands to the reader board assembly circuit to learn all of the registration numbers of the digital devices present, and sending commands from the host controller to a reader board assembly circuit to activate and deactivate the light-emitting source. 
         [0017]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes sending a learn command to the reader board assembly circuit and the reader board assembly circuit utilizing a Carrier Detect Multiple Access with Bit Arbitration (CDMA-BA) protocol to “fight” for a spot on the serial data bus. 
         [0018]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes transmitting a first bit of the registration number on the serial data bus. 
         [0019]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes detecting which logic that the serial data bus is currently learning. 
         [0020]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes ceasing the transmittal of the digital registration number of the reader board assembly circuit when the logic placed upon the serial data bus is different that the current logic of the serial bus. 
         [0021]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic detection, identification, and/or activation method includes transmitting all bits in the digital registration number for completing an ordered list of registration numbers from the lowest number to the highest number contained in the host&#39;s memory. 
         [0022]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector includes a digital device having a unique digital registration number with a first end and a second end, at least one prong located on the first end of the digital device, a touch-and-hold connector located within the lip for receiving the at least one prong of the digital device, wherein the prong of the digital device is received with the at least one opening within the lip, whereby the digital device is rotated into a position so that the prong is in a spaced apart relationship with the at least one opening forming a releasable secure arrangement between the digital device and the touch-and-hold connector. 
         [0023]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector including at least two prongs, and the touch-and-hold connector has at least two openings for receiving the at least two prongs. 
         [0024]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector includes the second end of the digital device includes a grip for allowing a user to rotate the digital device. 
         [0025]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector includes at least one stopper located within the cavity of the touch-and-hold connector for preventing rotational movement of the digital device. 
         [0026]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector wherein the digital device and touch-and-hold connector are utilized as part of a key control and management system. 
         [0027]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector wherein the digital device is in electrical communication with a serial data bus. 
         [0028]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector includes a digital device having a unique digital registration number with a first end and a second end, at least one prong located on the first end of the digital device, a touch-and-hold connector located within the lip for receiving the at least one prong of the digital device in a cavity formed within the touch-and-hold connector, at least one shelf positioned in the cavity of the touch-and-hold connector for securely holding the at least one prong of the digital device releasably secure, wherein the prong of the digital device is received within the at least one opening within the lip, whereby the digital device is rotated into a position upon the shelf, so that the prong is in an engaged arrangement between the shelf and the lip forming a releasably secure arrangement between the digital device and the touch-and-hold connector. 
         [0029]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector includes a digital device having a unique digital registration number with a first end and a second end, at least one prong located on the first end of the digital device, a touch-and-hold connector having a top portion comprising a lip with at least two flanges extending therefrom forming a cavity within the touch-and-hold connector, at least one shelf positioned within the cavity of the touch-and-hold connector for securely holding the at least one prong of the digital device releasably secure, wherein the prong of the digital device is received within the cavity, whereby the digital device is rotated into a position upon the shelf, so that the prong is in an engaged arrangement between the shelf and the lip forming a releasably secure arrangement between the digital device and the touch-and-hold connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components and/or method steps, and in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is an electronic circuit diagram illustrating, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, how a module having a digital device detects, identifies, and/or activates that digital device using a microcontroller, a host controller, and a serial data bus. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a digital device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a touch-and-hold connector. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the touch-and-hold connector. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away side view of an exemplary embodiment of the touch-and-hold connector. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a cut-away side view of an exemplary embodiment of the touch-and-hold connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Referring now specifically to the drawings, the reader board assembly (RBA) circuit  10  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the RBA circuit  10  includes a microcontroller  12  or microprocessor, a touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like, a host controller  16 , a host controller connector  16   a , and a digital device  17  with a unique digital registration number. This digital device  17  is selectively coupled to the touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like, coupling the digital device  17  to the RBA circuit  10 . It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the digital device  17  may also be permanently or otherwise coupled to the RBA circuit  10 . In general, the RBA circuit  10  enables asynchronous communications between the digital device  17 , via the touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like, and the microcontroller  12 . The information received and buffered by the microcontroller  12  is eventually communicated to the host controller  16  and, optionally, a personal computer (not illustrated) or the like. The RBA circuit  10  allows the host controller  16  to identify, locate, and/or activate a specific digital device  17  among multiple digital devices  17  via its unique digital registration number, or to detect the absence of a specific digital device  17  among multiple digital devices  17  via its unique digital registration number, as is described in greater detail herein below. 
         [0038]    The RBA circuit  10  essentially forms one of a plurality of modules disposed on a board and within a case having a strikable door, for example, in the case of a key control and management system. A module is a serial data bus detection and identification circuit that enables the microcontroller  12  to detect, identify, and/or activate a specific digital device  17  associated with the module among multiple modules having multiple digital devices  17 , all connected to the same serial data bus, for example. Furthermore, the RBA circuit  10  enables a user to easily identify and locate the specific digital device  17 , as the location preferably has an associated light-emitting source  18 , such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or the like, that is selectively activated by the host controller  16 /RBA circuit  10  once the specific digital device  17  has been detected, identified, and/or activated. 
         [0039]    In general, the digital device  17  may be an IButton® microprocessor (Dallas Semiconductor) or any other suitable digital device that has a unique digital registration number. The IButton® is a microprocessor that is enclosed in a 16 mm stainless steel can or the like. Because of this unique and durable stainless steel can, the IButton® may be mounted virtually anywhere because it is rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, indoors or outdoors. Thus, the digital device is durable enough to attach to a key fob, ring, or other personal item, and may be used daily for applications, such as access control for vehicles, buildings, computers, etc. The touch-and-hold  14  may be an IButton® receptacle or the like. 
         [0040]    In one exemplary embodiment of the RBA circuit  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the microcontroller  12  utilizes a firmware-based implementation of the serial data bus protocol. 
         [0041]    Each digital device  17  has a distinct and identifiable digital registration number, which essentially becomes the digital registration number of the associated microcontroller  12  once the learning process has taken place. Since each digital device  17  has a different digital registration number, a specific digital device  17  may be detected, identified, and/or activated among multiple digital devices  17 . Likewise, the absence of a specific digital device  17  may be detected and identified. Only the digital registration number of a digital device  17  needs to be known to detect and identify the absence of a sought after digital device among a plurality of digital devices. This is accomplished via the use of the microcontroller  12  and host controller  16 . The microcontroller  12  is able to read the digital registration number of any digital device  17  that is placed in the touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like. The microcontroller  12  utilizes the serial data bus protocols in its firmware to detect and identify the specific digital device  17 . The digital registration number of the specific digital device  17  is used by the RBA circuit  10  to identify it on the serial data bus, such that it can be individually addressed by the host controller  16  from the plurality of modules located on the serial data bus. 
         [0042]    The digital registration numbers of the RBA circuit  10  are learned through an algorithm utilizing a Carrier Detect Multiple Access with Bit Arbitration (CDMA/BA) protocol. The CDMA/BA protocol is utilized to find/learn the digital devices  17 , and is designed to allow the RBA circuit  10  to detect whether or not a serial data bus collision has occurred. The CDMA/BA protocol is also designed to allow the RBA circuit  10  to detect if the RBA circuit&#39;s digital registration numbers were successfully transmitted. 
         [0043]    In operation, the host controller  16  issues a serial data bus reset command to the serial data bus. A learn command is then issued by the host controller  16  to learn all of the RBA circuit&#39;s digital registration numbers on the serial bus for the digital devices  17  that are present. In response to this learn command, the modules with an IButton® microprocessor present begin to transmit the first bit of their 64-bit digital registration number on the serial data bus. The modules transmit data in binary 1&#39;s and 0&#39;s, wherein 1 is a recessive bit and 0 is a dominant bit. If the module begins to transmit its first bit by either placing a binary 1 on the serial data bus, but the RBA circuit  10  detects that the serial data bus is currently a binary 0, the module placing a binary 1 gives up transmitting its respective digital registration number altogether. The modules that placed a binary 1 will not transmit their respective digital registration numbers until the next learn command is issued by the host controller  16  on the serial data bus. The modules that placed a binary 0 will continue to transmit their respective digital registration numbers. This bit-by-bit transmission and arbitration detection continues for the remaining 63 bits until one and only one module with the lowest number has transmitted its complete digital registration number. When this occurs, the completed module flags itself to not participate in any serial data bus commands until the next serial data bus reset command is issued. The result of this learn algorithm is a complete ordered list of all digital registration numbers from the lowest number to the highest number contained in the memory of the host controller  16 . Various other commands may also be issued by the host controller. 
         [0044]    Once the ordered list of digital registration numbers has been compiled and stored in the memory of the host controller  16 , the method of detecting and identifying a specific digital device  17  may begin. The host controller  16  sends a command to each module seeking the specific digital device  17  by the digital registration number. Because the list of digital registration numbers is stored in the memory of the host controller  16  from the lowest digital registration number to the highest digital registration number, this storage arrangement allows the host controller  16  to easily locate the digital registration number within its memory, and send a command to the specific module where the specific digital device  17  is located. Thereafter, the specific digital device  17  may be announced to the user via a flashing or non-flashing light-emitting source  18 , such as an LED or the like. The host controller  16  sends a command to the RBA circuit  10  to turn the flashing or non-flashing light-emitting source  18  on and/or off. In addition, the light-emitting source  18  may be employed to indicate the removal of a digital device  17  from the serial data bus. 
         [0045]    A data line may be permanently connected to the data side of the digital device connector. The microcontroller  12  is connected to the serial data bus by the RBA circuit  10 . The RBA circuit  10  allows for the digital device  17  to be switched in and out of the RBA circuit  10 . The ability to switch in a specific digital device  17  requires the host controller  16  to identify the specific digital device  17 , as they are able to be removed from and inserted into the RBA circuit  10 . The host controller  16  sends specific commands to each module that illuminates the light-emitting source  18 . This identifies the identity/location of the specific digital device  17  to the user. The unique digital registration number of the module may be stored in the memory of the host controller  16 , and later used to sequentially read in the digital device&#39;s unique digital registration number. It should be noted that multiple digital devices  17  may be connected to a one-wire bus and identified by each digital device&#39;s unique digital registration number. In addition, the learning process may be periodic (i.e. polling-based) or event-driven. 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the RBA circuit  10  may be changed such that the light-emitting source  18  is connected to the serial data bus, as opposed to the VCC connection. This change enables the whole circuit to operate without external power, if the power requirements are met by the serial data bus. Modules may be added directly to the serial data bus, essentially like a plug-and-play component on a personal computer (PC). 
         [0047]    As described above, U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,538 discloses one specific application of a digital device. Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of a type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving identification (ID) tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller can thus detect and log the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail. In general, each of the carriers includes an internal-addressable switch having one or more input/output (I/O) ports; an on-board sensor, such as a loop-detector sensor for detecting when an object is removed from the carrier; a reed switch for detecting the opening of the carrier, or another type of sensor depending on the intended use of the system; and an LED attached to the carrier. 
         [0048]    The present invention, however, provides a system that is simpler, omitting the internal-addressable switch and the one or more I/O ports, and associating the LEDs with the storage receptacle, as opposed to the carriers. Various data and ground connections are also provided. In effect, the RBA circuit  10  provides a touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like, suitable for engaging a digital device  17  or the like, that has a unique digital registration number. The touch-and-hold connector  14  or the like may be selectively identified, located, and/or activated, preferably in conjunction with the lighting, intermittently or otherwise, providing the location of the plug-in carrier or holder to a user. As described above, the LED or the like is assembled as part of the storage receptacle, as opposed to the plug-in carrier or holder. 
         [0049]    The digital device  17  (or, more accurately, a holding structure including and incorporating the digital device), as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , includes a first end  20  and a second end  22 . The first end  20  of the digital device  17  includes at least one prong  24 . Preferably, the digital device  17  includes two prongs  24  located on opposite sides of the first end  20  concentrically about a central axis of the digital device  17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the touch-and-hold connector  14  includes a lip  26  around the periphery, forming a cavity  28  therein. The lip  26  of the touch-and-hold connector  14  includes at least one opening  30  for receiving the at least one prong  24  of the digital device  17 . Preferably, the lip  26  includes two openings  30  for receiving the two prongs  24  of the digital device  17 . The openings  30  are in a correspondingly similar arrangement to the position of the prongs  24 . 
         [0050]    In operation, the digital device  17  is aligned with the prong  24  over the opening  30  in the lip  26 . The digital device  17  is inserted within the body of the touch-and-hold connector  14 , wherein the prong  24  is received within the opening  30  of the lip  26 . The digital device  17  is then rotated, whereby the prong  24  is moved away from the opening  30  and is located beneath the lip  26 . The digital device  17  may be rotated until the prongs  24  are beneath and in alignment with the opening  30  in the lip  26 , thus allowing the digital device  17  to be removed from the touch-and-hold connector  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of stoppers are located within the cavity of the touch-and-hold connector  14 , and beneath the lip  26 . The stoppers  32  prevent the prongs  24  of the digital device  17  from rotating past a predetermined location. In addition, the stoppers  32  may prevent the prongs  24  from rotating in a predetermined direction. For example, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , two stoppers  32  are located adjacent to the two openings  30 , thus preventing rotational movement in the counterclockwise direction. In addition, two stoppers  32  are located between the two openings  30 , thus preventing movement past this predetermined point, while the prongs  24  are rotated in the clockwise direction. Alternatively, a shelf  34  may be positioned on the floor of the cavity, and beneath the lip  26 . The purpose of the shelf  34  is to engage the prongs  24  of the digital device  17  for forming a secure arrangement between the prongs  24  and the bottom portion of the lip  26 . This arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0051]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the digital device  17  includes a grip  36  located in close proximity to the second end of the digital device  17 . The grip  36  enables a user to securely retain the digital device  17  when inserting the device into and out of the touch-and-hold connector  14 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0052]    In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the touch-and-hold connector  14  employs the use of at least two flanges  38 . The flanges  38  are positioned on an outer lip  26  of the touch-and-hold connector, which extends over the cavity within the touch-and-hold connector  14 . Below the at least two flanges  38 , a shelf  34  is located on the floor of the cavity. The purpose of the shelf  34  is to engage the prongs  24  of the digital device  17  for forming a secure arrangement between the prongs  24  and the flanges  38 . In addition thereto, a stopper may be located on one side of the flange, thus preventing the prong  24  from advancing past the flanges  38 . 
         [0053]    In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the touch and hold connector  14  includes a solenoid  40  attached thereto. Preferably, the solenoid  40  is attached to the underside of the touch and hold connector  14 , and opposite the digital device  17 . The solenoid  40  includes a pin  42  that translates in the vertical direction, and translates within a channel located within the touch and hold connector  14 . 
         [0054]    The pin  42  is biased in the upward direction for securing the digital device  17  in place. In other words, the pin  42  prevents the flanges  38  from rotating, thus securely holding the digital device  17  within the touch and hold connector  14 . The pin  42  prevents the digital device  17  from being removed from the touch and hold connector  14 , unless the pin  42  is recessed within the channel of the touch and hold connector  14 . The solenoid  40  is activated by the RBA circuit  10  when the digital device  17  is located. Once the specific digital device  17  is located, the solenoid  40  is activated, thus moving the pin  42  into a recessed position within the channel. When the pin  42  is in the recessed position, the flanges  38  are allowed to rotate, allowing the digital device  17  to be removed from the touch and hold connector  14 . 
         [0055]    In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the pin  42  is held in place by a biasing member  44  that biases the pin  42  in a position whereby the pin  42  is fully extended through the channel in the touch and hold connector  14 , thus preventing movement of the flanges  38 . When the solenoid  40  is activated, the pin  42  is translated into a recessed position allowing the flanges  38  to rotate. After the digital device  17  is removed from the touch and hold connector  14 , the pin is again fully extended through the channel in the touch and hold connector  14 . The pin  42  also includes an inclined top portion that allows the digital device  17  to be positioned in the touch and hold connector  14  with ease. Upon insertion, the flange  38  contacts the inclined portion, thus depressing the pin  42  into a recessed position, allowing the flange  38  of the digital device  10  to clear the pin  42  prior to contacting the stopper  32 . Thereafter, the pin  42  is biased in the upwards direction, preventing rotational movement of the flanges  38  until the solenoid is activated. 
         [0056]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to exemplary embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other exemplary embodiments and specific examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.