Tamper detection with RFID tag

• US 20060214789A1
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Posamentier, Joshua, Burr, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US11/089,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20060214789A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/545.600
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• 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: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0335 using RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0352 using cable lock
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means

Abstract

A sensor may be used to detect a previous or current change of state, and the change may be reported by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. In some embodiments, the change may represent a broken security seal, which in turn may affect an electrical connection that can be sensed by the RFID tag during operation of the RFID tag.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag circuit;

an electrical element electrically coupled to the RFID tag circuit and mechanically disposed such that occurrence of a particular physical event will change the electrical coupling to the RFID tag circuit;

wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit a first signal if the electrical coupling is unchanged and to transmit a second signal, different than the first signal, if the electrical coupling is changed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical element is adapted such that occurrence of the particular physical event will change electrical continuity between the electrical element and the RFID tag circuit in a manner detectable by the RFID tag circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the change of electrical continuity is essentially irreversible.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrical element is adapted to cause an electrical discontinuity with the RFID tag circuit upon occurrence of the particular physical event.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a device including the electrical element, wherein the device is attachable to an object in a manner such that the electrical element will change continuity responsive to the object being opened.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electrical element is an antenna.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the object is a container with a movable part that may act to open and close the container; and

the device is adapted to be physically coupled to the movable part such that the change in continuity is responsive to opening the container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device is adhesively attachable to the movable part such that the electrical element will be physically broken responsive to opening the container.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device is an electrically conductive loop adapted to be placed through an opening in the movable part and to be physically broken responsive to opening the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical element is adapted to indicate an environmental change within the container.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second signals each comprise at least one status bit appended to an identification code for the RFID tag, the at least one status bit to have a different state in the second signal than in the first signal.

12. A system, comprising:

a container including a movable part that may operate to open the container;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;

an electrical element electrically coupled to the RFID tag and mechanically disposed such that opening the container will change electrical continuity between the electrical element and the RFID tag;

wherein the RFID tag is adapted to respond to an RFID poll by transmitting a status of the electrical continuity.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the status of electrical continuity showing the container has been opened is essentially irreversible by the electrical element.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the electrical element is physically disposed on the container such that opening the container will mechanically break the electrical element.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving a radio frequency identification (RFID) poll by an RFID tag; and

responding to the RFID poll with a transmission of data;

wherein the data includes at least one bit to indicate whether a container has been opened.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting an electrical continuity status that is indicative of whether the container has been opened; and

placing the status into the at least one bit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said detecting comprises detecting the electrical continuity status of an electrical element physically attached to the container.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said detecting comprises detecting the electrical continuity status of an electrical element which was disposed through an opening of the container.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said detecting comprises detecting the container has been opened if the continuity of an electrical element has been physically broken.

20. A method, comprising:

transmitting a wireless poll;

receiving a response to the poll from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; and

examining the response to determine if a security sensor that was coupled to the RFID tag has detected a status change.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said examining comprises:

determining an identification for the RFID tag; and

determining if the status change indicates a possible physical event near the RFID tag.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said physical event comprises at least one of:

opening a container; and

detecting an environmental change within the container.