(DS) Jostens teams up with Dallas Semiconductor to make Decoder Rings for personal computers, brings jewelry into the information age.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1995--Dallas Semiconductor (NYSE:DS) and Jostens Monday announced a digital Decoder Ring with an embedded memory chip. Rings have always provided a mark of distinction; now they collect and carry digital data as the wearer roams.

Said Michael Bolan, vice president of product development at Dallas Semiconductor: "This new ring communicates directly with your Personal Computer (PC) to authenticate you as its owner; it also supplies a secret encryption key to decode data files in a PC without requiring lengthy passwords. The chip in the ring features a built-in reader/writer, as well as a transmitter/receiver capable of sending data 300 meters over an electrically conductive path using just one signal plus ground."

A jewelry-grade, stainless steel MicroCan 16mm in diameter serves as a "clam shell" case to protect the microchip. The MicroCan is then mounted in a custom-designed setting. The ring is based on Dallas Semiconductor's patented Touch Memory Button technology. Information can be read and written with a momentary contact, allowing information to be updated instantly and travel with a person.

The lid of the MicroCan can be embossed like a coin face, enameled with colors, or decorated with a bi-metallic inlaid crest. Data flows through the lid to the chip inside using only one signal with the same voltage level and binary representations as the chips inside computers for simple chip-to-chip communications. The chip is formatted in data files like a floppy disk; a built-in directory is first read and then files are randomly accessed. In this way, specific files can be targeted without disturbing others, permitting multiple, independent applications.

Each Decoder Ring is individually numbered and registered with a unique, 64-bit serial number that is permanently engraved in the silicon chip to provide absolute authentication. Dallas Semiconductor manufactures the chips for Jostens' rings in capacities up to 64K bits. As an example, business card data can be represented in about 1Kbit, including name, title, company, address, phone, and e-mail or Internet address. Just 256 bits can represent an electronic change purse for public transit fares. A compressed, digitized, black and white ID photo consumes about 16Kbits.

The first chip rings were worn by stockroom pickers. In a tightly controlled warehouse, pickers can record an item taken off the shelf by touching their Decoder Ring to a simple probe, recording who removed what item and what time and leaving a record of the transaction in the ring. When convenient, information collected in the Decoder Ring can be deposited to a PC fitted with a Touch Memory probe. (The Touch Memory Button on the ring has a PC-compatible serial port for reading and writing.) Inventory reports can then be automatically generated. The Decoder Ring keeps workers' hands free while saving them from the productivity drain of paperwork and error-prone key stroking.

Using Dallas Semiconductor's Priva-C software, the Decoder Ring controls access to personal computers and authenticates transactions. Wearers touch the Decoder Ring to a designated contact point so that it can communicate with the chips inside the PC for simple chip-to-chip communication. Access to information stored on the PC is then granted.

Decoder Rings have been encoded according to the American Banking Association Standard, which emulates VISA or MasterCard credit cards. This feature facilitates electronic commerce.

In addition to computer access, more than 20 companies of door entry systems use Touch Memory Buttons to ensure safe, convenient access to hospitals, laboratories, offices and bank vaults.

Said Jim Halt, sales manager for Jostens' Recognition Division, "Jostens has been asked to quote 100,000 rings for the Indonesian army with sufficient memory to store medical records and encryption/decryption keys for secure communications."

Currently available, Decoder Rings start at $59.50 in quantities of one for the sterling silver version. The price is lower for large quantities or non-precious metals.

Dallas Semiconductor designs, manufactures and markets CMOS chips and chip-based subsystems. In its 11-year history, the company has sold its products to more than 8,000 include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system developers worldwide. Decoder Rings are distributed through Touch Connections; the phone number is 214/778-6003 and the fax is 214/778-6004. Custom settings are available through Jostens' Recognition Division by contacting Jim Halt at 412/528-9200. Dallas Semiconductor's Internet World Wide Web address is http://www.dalsemi.com/.

CONTACT: Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas

Syd Coppersmith, editor's contact

214/450-5349

Michelle McLaren, reader's contact

214/450-0448, 214/450-0470 (fax)