A fastener apparatus comprises in combination, a mechanical binding device such as a staple. The staple engages substrates such as sheets of paper forming a document. A microcomputer is mounted integrally with the staple and includes a data storage device such as a solid state memory providing a capacity for receiving and transferring a quantity of digital data. The microcomputer also provides a data processing device such as a microprocessor which provides a capacity for calculation using the digital data. A bi-directional data transfer port is adapted for receiving the digital data for transfer to the data storage device and to the data processing device and for transferring the digital data from the data storage device and from the data processing device. Data may be stored and retrieved electrostatically, magnetically, optically and mechanically so as to identify the document for identification and retrieval.

Current U.S. Class:	361/807 ; 257/678; 361/728; 361/801; 411/457
Current International Class:	F16B 15/00 (20060101); H05K 007/00 ()
Field of Search:	361/728,736,752,753,801,807 174/159 411/457 257/678