Identification band using a conductive fastening for enhanced security and functionality
First Claim
1. An identification apparatus, comprising:
- a band;
an RFID transponder, comprised of an RFID circuit and an antenna disposed on the band;
a fastening mechanism for joining the band in a closed loop; and
said fastening mechanism including at least two elements such that the fastening mechanism creates electrical continuity at a selected point of fastening for enabling the RFID circuit when said fastening mechanism joins said band in the closed loop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An identification device formed from a band of material and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder is disposed in the band. The transponder includes and RFID circuit, such as may be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an antenna. In the present invention, the tamper-resistant fastening serves additional functions beyond securing the opposite end regions of the band together. Namely, the fastening can be made of a conductive material and designed to create electrical continuity between multiple conductors to enable or disable certain circuit functionality. In one variation, this continuity allows the excess tail portion of the wristband to be cut without disrupting circuit functionality. In another variation, the fastening mechanism is designed to crimp conductors together. In yet another embodiment, the RFID circuit itself is wholly or partially formed within the fastening mechanism to increase the better protect and support the circuit, as well as to make it more difficult to defeat the tamper-resistant functionality of the device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An identification apparatus, comprising:
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a band;
an RFID transponder, comprised of an RFID circuit and an antenna disposed on the band;
a fastening mechanism for joining the band in a closed loop; and
said fastening mechanism including at least two elements such that the fastening mechanism creates electrical continuity at a selected point of fastening for enabling the RFID circuit when said fastening mechanism joins said band in the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An identification apparatus, comprising:
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an RFID transponder comprised of an RFID circuit and an antenna coupled to the RFID circuit, said RFID circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor; and
a fastening mechanism adapted to crimp together said first and second conductors when fastened. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An identification apparatus, comprising:
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a band;
an RFID circuit;
an antenna; and
a fastening mechanism adapted to engage said band, at least a portion of one of said RFID circuit and antenna being embedded in the fastening mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification