Abstract: A method of forming an environmentally sealed transponder type circuit wherein the circuit components are mounted on a lead type substrate frame, the components are encapsulated in a plastic housing in a plastic molding process so that the housing is supported in the frame only by a plurality of the leads, and then severing the leads at the periphery of the housing to provide a leadless package. The frame may be formed of a conductive material, an insulating material or as a printed circuit board. A novel printed circuit type lead frame whereby a coil of the circuit may be mechanically attached and directly secured to the frame is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held dual reading head including a hand-held housing having a light transmissive window at one end thereof; and containing an actuatable bar-code reader, which produces a light beam which exits the housing via the window and detects light from the beam reflected from a bar code tag to generate a first electrical signal corresponding to bar code data read from the tag. The housing also contains an actuatable radio frequency tag reader which includes a transmit/receive coil mounted adjacent the one end of the housing containing the window, for producing a radio frequency signal of a first frequency to energize a radio frequency transponder-type identification tag and for receiving an identifying signal of a second frequency transmitted by an energized radio frequency identification tag to provide a second electrical output signal corresponding to the tag identifying signal, preferably in the same signal format as the bar-code data.

Abstract: A radio frequency proximity reader has a base plate housing portion that has an essentially rectangular shape with first and second opposed major surfaces and a centrally located bore. A cylindrical housing portion having a concentrically placed bore is attached to the base plate and extends substantially perpendicular to the first major surface, with the bores of the housing portions being substantially aligned. A radio frequency antenna including a cylindrical ferrite core having at least one concentrically wound coil is concentrically located within the cylindrical housing portion. A light emitting diode and a piezo buzzer are provided within the cylindrical housing portion adjacent the second major surface of the base plate. A cable electronically connects the reader to remotely located signal processing circuits. The base plate may be attached to a wall, whereby the first surface abuts the wall. A rectangular cover attached to the base plate covers the second major surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A heat dissipating assembly for solid state component and control circuitry therefor including a first printed circuit board [45] having a printed circuit thereon for making connections with electronic components [47], fixing the components to the first circuit board, bending the conductors [49] attached to the components to receive a second circuit board [52] that includes control circuitry for the components, and assembling the joined boards into a housing [40].

Abstract: An illumination panel for the enhancement of image brightness of a liquid crystal display for a watch or similar device is disclosed. The panel has an internal light source with a suitably shaped and reflectorized coating to substantially direct internal and external light in the desired direction. More particularly, a transparent layer or member with an internal light source mounted at one end is selectively coated with a metallic reflecting material to reflect light from the internal source and from external sources through a crosshatched surface or a matte finished window on the surface of the member. The window may be defined by the reflectorized coating. The member is mounted adjacent to the exterior surface of the bottom substrate of the liquid crystal display. Diffused light is transmitted from the internal light source of the illumination panel through the bottom substrate of the display.

Abstract: An improved push-button assembly for a watch, particularly suitable for an electrical switch in a digital watch. A resilient sealing member disposed in a counter bore provides spring means and sealing means for a push-button member. In one embodiment the resilient member is conductive to assure electrical contact between the push-button member and the watch case.