Identification band using serpentine paths to detect tampering

• US 20060077060A1
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bartronics Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: Proximities Incorporated (Bartronics India Ltd.)
• Inventors: Norair, John P., Lerch, John W., Girvin, Joshua M., Mou, Peijen S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,119,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.300
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07381 with deactivation or otherwise incapacitation of at least a part of the circuit upon detected tampering
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article

Abstract

A tamper-resistant RFID wristband that becomes permanently disabled upon tampering. The wristband includes a plurality of holes for snugly securing the band to a wearer, an RFID circuit, and an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band. The RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled to form a series circuit, severance of which disables the wristband. The electrically conductive loop includes a first layer and a second layer that are electrically isolated from one another, save for at least one electrical connection made preferably by a via at the end of the band distal from the antenna element. The first layer encircles the holes in a serpentine path on one layer of the band and the second layer encircles the holes in a complimentary serpentine path on a different layer of the band

Claims

1. A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

a band;

an RFID circuit disposed on the band;

an electrically conductive loop disposed on the band and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit, and also arranged to disable the RFID circuit when cut, wherein the conductive loop also overlaps itself at at least one overlap point; and

an insulating material disposed between the portions of the conductive loop at the at least one overlap point.

2. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive loop is provided by a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion disposed on a first surface of the band and the second portion disposed on a second surface of the band.

3. The identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein a via connects at least the first portion of the conductive loop to at least the second portion of the conductive loop.

4. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit includes an RFID transponder chip and an antenna element.

5. The identification apparatus of claim 4, wherein the RFID transponder chip is disposed on an end of the band that is distal from the antenna element.

6. The identification apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conductive loop provides a series connection between the RFID circuit and the antenna element.

7. The identification apparatus of claim 4, wherein the antenna element is a coiled antenna.

8. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the band includes a series of holes along a length thereof.

9. The identification apparatus of claim 8, wherein the conductive loop is formed from a first and second conductive loop portion, wherein each conductive loop portion passes closely by a respective section of at least one hole such that the first and second conductive portions together substantially surround the at least one hole.

10. The identification apparatus of claim 9, wherein the conductive portions are arranged such that a slit made between adjacent holes in the band necessarily severs at least one conductive loop portion.

11. The identification apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first conductive loop portion loop passes closely by two or more holes in a serpentine path on at least one surface of the band and the second conductive loop portion passes closely by the same two or more holes in a complementary serpentine path on at least one different surface of the band.

12. The identification apparatus of claim 11, wherein the band is formed of multiple layers.

13. The identification apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first conductive loop portion is formed on one layer of the band and the second conductive loop portion is formed on a second layer of the band.

14. A method of making a tamper resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

providing a band with at least two surfaces, and having a series of holes along a length thereof;

completely encircling the series of holes with a conductive loop disposed in the band, by forming a first conductive path passing closely by the holes on one surface of the band, and forming a second conductive path passing closely by the holes in a complimentary path on a second surface of the band; and

disposing an RFID circuit in the band, such that the RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled.

15. The method of claim 14, additionally comprising:

forming a via for electrically coupling the first and second surfaces.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the RFID circuit includes an RFID transponder chip and an antenna element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the RFID circuit is disposed on an end of the band that is distal from the antenna element.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the conductive loop provides a series connection between the RFID circuit and the antenna element.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the antenna element is a coiled antenna.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the conductive loop encircles at least two holes such that a slit made between said at least two holes necessarily severs the conductive loop thereby disabling the RFID circuit.

21. The method of claim 14, further including a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the band to a wearer.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism includes:

a peg located at one the band; and

a socket located the same end of the band, the peg and socket cooperatively and securely attach to each other to securely engage one hole of the band.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the conductive loop is formed on multiple layers.

24. A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

a band having a series of holes along a length thereof;

an RFID circuit disposed in the band;

an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit, wherein the conductive loop travels along the band in a path substantially surrounding at least two holes and creating at least one overlap point therebetween, wherein the loop is insulated at the loop overlap point.

25. The identification apparatus of claim 24, wherein the conductive loop is a wire.

26. The identification apparatus of claim 24, wherein the overlap point is insulated by an insulation provided on the wire itself.

27. A tamper-resistant RFID band identification apparatus, comprising:

means for securing the apparatus to a wearer using a selected one of a plurality of holes formed therein to engage a locking peg; and

means for necessarily disabling the secured apparatus should a slit be made between the holes.