Radio frequency shielding

• US 20060187061A1
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mynette Technolgies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steven M. Colby
• Inventors: Colby, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,719,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/025 the material being flexible or adapted for folding, e.g. paper or paper-like materials used in luggage labels, identification tags, forms or identification documents carrying RFIDs methods for testing the genuineness of valuable papers, e.g. banknotes or passports G07D7/00; constructional features of booklets and the like B42D
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07327 Passive means, e.g. Faraday cages Faraday-type protection of electric circuits in general H05K9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 Electromagnetic shields

Abstract

Shielding is associated with RFID tags to achieve new systems and methods having various advantages. These systems include containers configured to store RFID enabled identity documents, the use of RFID tags to monitor the state of a container, and the inclusion of shielding in identity devices. Disclosed are shielded passports, driver'"'"'s licenses, and the like. Some embodiments further including reading systems for reading identity devices comprising shielding and RFID tags.

Claims

1. A shielded RFID device comprising:

an identity device comprising a greencard, driver'"'"'s license or transaction card, and including an RFID tag;

a surface configured to visually display identifying information; and

a cover physically attached to the device, the cover including a radio frequency shielding material configured to shield the RFID tag in a first position and to not shield the RFID tag in a second position.

2. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the identity device.

3. The d shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the identity device along a fold in a clamshell configuration.

4. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the surface includes a picture that can be viewed while the RFID tag is shielded.

5. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the identity device comprises a driver'"'"'s license.

6. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the identity device comprises a credit card or a debit card.

7. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the shielded RFID device is divided into a first part including the shielding and a second part including the RFID tag, the first part and second part being separated by a fold.

8. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to slide relative to the RFID tag.

9. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for extending the RFID tag from the cover.

10. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the cover is flexible.

11. The shielded RFID device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency shielding material is transparent.

12. A shielding device comprising;

a shielding material configured to be temporally attached to an identity device and to shield an RFID tag within the identity device; and

an attachment mechanism configured for attaching the shielding material to the identity device.

13. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the shielding device is configured to be attached to the identity device using clips.

14. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the shielding is configured to be attached to the device using adhesive.

15. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the identity device is a passport.

16. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the identity device is a driver'"'"'s license or a credit card.

17. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the shielding material is configure to be temporally attached to a plurality of identity devices.

18. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a slot within the shielding device configured to receive part of the identity device.

19. The shielding device of claim 12, wherein the shielding is configured to be pivotally attached to the device.

20. A passport comprising:

a first cover part including an RFID tag disposed at least 5 mm from a fold;

a second cover part separated from the first cover part by the fold and including shielding configured for shielding the RFID tag in a first position of the second cover part and not shielding the RFID tag in a second position of the cover part.

21. The device of claims 20, wherein the radio frequency shielding material disposed at least 10 mm from the RFID tag.