Contactless proximity communications apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A contactless proximity communication apparatus comprising:
- a body portion, said body portion in turn comprising;
a body;
a communications circuit associated with said body; and
an antenna electrically coupled to said communications circuit; and
a signal-disrupting portion mounted for motion with respect to said antenna, said signal-disrupting portion being configured to substantially disrupt RF signals associated with said antenna in a first position and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals associated with said antenna in a second position, said signal-disrupting portion being formed from a material exhibiting low magnetic permeability.
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Abstract
Techniques for reducing or eliminating the likelihood of fraud in a contactless proximity communications apparatus are provided. The apparatus can include a body portion with a body, a communications circuit, and an antenna. The apparatus can also include a signal-disrupting portion that is mounted for motion, such as rotary or linear motion, with respect to the body portion and configured to substantially disrupt RF signals in a first position, and to move to a second position where RF communication is possible.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A contactless proximity communication apparatus comprising:
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a body portion, said body portion in turn comprising;
a body;
a communications circuit associated with said body; and
an antenna electrically coupled to said communications circuit; and
a signal-disrupting portion mounted for motion with respect to said antenna, said signal-disrupting portion being configured to substantially disrupt RF signals associated with said antenna in a first position and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals associated with said antenna in a second position, said signal-disrupting portion being formed from a material exhibiting low magnetic permeability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A kit of parts comprising:
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a signal-disrupting structure having a conductive portion adapted to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) signals, said signal-disrupting portion being formed from a material exhibiting low magnetic permeability; and
a mounting portion securable to said signal-disrupting structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to a proximity communication apparatus while permitting appropriate access, said method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said apparatus in a first state wherein a signal-disrupting structure is positioned to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) communication with said apparatus, said signal-disrupting structure being formed from a material exhibiting low magnetic permeability; and
transitioning said apparatus to a second state when RF communication is desired, said signal-disrupting structure being moved, in said second state, such that RF communication can proceed in a substantially unimpeded manner. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A contactless proximity communication apparatus comprising:
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a body portion, said body portion in turn comprising;
a body;
a communications circuit associated with said body; and
an antenna electrically coupled to said communications circuit; and
a signal-disrupting portion mounted for motion with respect to said body portion, said signal-disrupting portion being configured to substantially disrupt RF signals associated with said antenna in a first position and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals associated with said antenna in a second position, wherein said signal disrupting portion is generally planar, said antenna has first and second major sides, and said signal disrupting portion is substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said first position. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A kit of parts adapted for use with an RF payment card comprising an antenna having first and second major sides, said kit comprising:
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a signal-disrupting structure having a conductive portion adapted to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) signals when in a first position relative to the antenna and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals when in a second position relative to the antenna; and
a mounting portion securable to said signal-disrupting structure;
wherein said signal disrupting structure is configured to be substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said first position. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to a proximity communication apparatus while permitting appropriate access, said method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said apparatus in a first state wherein a signal-disrupting structure is positioned to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) communication with said apparatus; and
transitioning said apparatus to a second state when RF communication is desired, said signal-disrupting structure being moved, in said second state, such that RF communication can proceed in a substantially unimpeded manner;
wherein said signal disrupting structure is generally planar, said apparatus comprises an antenna, said antenna has first and second major sides, and said signal disrupting structure is substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said first state. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A contactless proximity communication apparatus comprising:
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a body portion, said body portion in turn comprising;
a body defining a keyhole-shaped region;
a communications circuit associated with said body; and
an antenna electrically coupled to said communications circuit;
a signal-disrupting portion configured to substantially disrupt RF signals associated with said antenna in a first position and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals associated with said antenna in a second position; and
a hinge, said keyhole-shaped region being adapted for releasable retention of said hinge, said hinge mounting said signal-disrupting portion for said substantially rotary motion with respect to said body portion between said first and second positions.
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46. A kit of parts adapted for use with an RF payment card comprising an antenna having first and second major sides and a body defining a keyhole-shaped region, said kit comprising:
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a signal-disrupting structure having a conductive portion adapted to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) signals when in a first position relative to the antenna and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals when in a second position relative to the antenna; and
a hinge portion securable to said signal-disrupting structure and configured to snap into the keyhole-shaped region of the card. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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49. A kit of parts adapted for use with a wallet and an RF payment card comprising an antenna having first and second major sides, said kit comprising:
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a signal-disrupting structure having a conductive portion adapted to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) signals when in a first position relative to the antenna and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals when in a second position relative to the antenna, said first position being collocated with the card in the wallet, said second position being in the wallet with the card moved away from the wallet;
wherein said signal disrupting portion is configured to be substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said first position; and
an instruction sheet providing instructions for collocating said signal-disrupting structure in the wallet with the card when protection from communication is desired and for removing the card from the wallet while leaving said signal-disrupting structure in the wallet when communication is desired. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access to a proximity communication apparatus while permitting appropriate access, said method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said apparatus in a wallet adjacent a signal-disrupting structure that is positioned to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) communication with said apparatus; and
removing said apparatus from said wallet when RF communication is desired, while leaving said signal-disrupting apparatus therein, such that RF communication can proceed in a substantially unimpeded manner;
wherein said signal disrupting portion is generally planar, said apparatus comprises an antenna having first and second major sides, and said signal disrupting portion is substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said wallet. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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58. A system comprising:
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a wallet;
an RF payment card comprising an antenna having first and second major sides; and
a signal-disrupting structure having a conductive portion adapted to substantially disrupt radio frequency (RF) signals when in a first position relative to the antenna and to permit substantially unimpeded passage of the RF signals when in a second position relative to the antenna, said first position being collocated with the card in the wallet, said second position being in the wallet with the card moved away from the wallet;
wherein said signal disrupting portion is configured to be substantially adjacent only a single one of said first and second major sides of said antenna in said first position.
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Specification