Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a method of operating an RFID tag

• US 20040012496A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Woodward, Sean, Fare, James W.D., De Souza, Kenneth G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,002,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/01 Testing electronic circuits therein
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprises RFID circuitry, an antenna, and a detector responsive to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency and for controlling cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when electromagnetic radiation of the predetermined frequency is detected. The detector may be responsive to light of the predetermined frequency to enable cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected. Alternatively, the detector may be responsive to light of the predetermined frequency to disable cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

a device for disabling operation of the RFID tag when the device detects electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency.

2. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag according to claim 1, wherein the device detects light of the predetermined frequency and disables operation of the RFID tag when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

3. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising:

RFID circuitry;

an antenna; and

means responsive to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency and for controlling cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when electromagnetic radiation of the predetermined frequency is detected.

4. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag according to claim 3, wherein the means includes means responsive to light of the predetermined frequency and for enabling cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

5. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag according to claim 3, wherein the means includes means responsive to light of the predetermined frequency and for disabling cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

6. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting light of a predetermined frequency; and

enabling operation of the RFID tag when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

7. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting light of a predetermined frequency; and

disabling operation of the RFID tag when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

8. A check comprising:

sheet material; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed on the sheet material, the RFID tag including means for (i) detecting electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency, and (ii) enabling operation of the RFID tag when electromagnetic radiation of the predetermined frequency is detected.

9. A check comprising:

sheet material; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed on the sheet material, the RFID tag including means for (i) detecting electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency, and (ii) disabling operation of the RFID tag when electromagnetic radiation of the predetermined frequency is detected.