SECURE ELECTROMAGNETIC DATA STORAGE ELEMENT HAVING A PLURALITY OF SELECTIVELY DETERMINED SWITCHABLE SECURITY MODES
First Claim
1. A resonant data storage device for securely storing data that is only accessible by at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus when the resonant data storage device is in an ON mode, and for otherwise preventing access to the stored data, comprising:
- at least one electronic component operable to store the data;
at least one antenna, operable to enable wireless access to said at least one electronic component only when said at least one antenna is electrically connected thereto;
at least one security mode selection component, that when engaged, is operable to electrically connect at least one of said at least one antenna to said at least one electronic component to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, accessible to the at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus, only for the duration of said engagement thereof, such that when at least one security mode selection component is released, said at least one antenna is automatically disconnected from said at least one electronic component; and
at least one security mode control component, that when engaged, is operable to maintain said at least one security mode selection component in a continually engaged position to thereby maintain the resonant data storage device in a continual ON mode, and that when disengaged, enables user-controlled selective engagement and/or disengagement of said at least one security mode selection component.
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Abstract
The apparatus of the present invention are directed to an selectively accessible electromagnetically resonant data storage element (implemented as a resonant tag, card, and/or embedded element), that is selectively responsive to predetermined electromagnetic interrogation thereof, that comprises a novel membrane switch component for enabling a user to selectively enable and/or disable interrogatory access to the resonant component, to protect from unauthorized interrogation thereof (hereinafter “MSRDS element”). The inventive MSRDS element comprises a top circuitry layer, a bottom circuitry layer, which includes a microchip, a plurality of contact pads and an antenna, an insulation spacer layer, a pressure layer retention component, and an optional EM/EMI shielding layer. The membrane switch may be formed through a combination of aligned and configured subcomponents of at least a portion of the element'"'"'s layers. In one embodiment thereof, the pressure layer retention component may be advantageously utilized to maintain the membrane switch in a pressed down position to thereby enable the MSRDS element to function continuously (i.e., in an Always-ON security mode), until such time that the pressure layer retention component is removed. In this exemplary embodiment of the MSRDS element, for example used in conjunction with consumer products, when a consumer purchases a product that has been provided with the MSRDS element, they remove (e.g., peel off, etc.) the pressure layer retention component to change the element to an Always-OFF security mode, such that the MSRDS element is only accessible to electromagnetic interrogation thereof when the membrane switch is held down. Therefore, the MSRDS element of the present invention provides a greater level of data security advantageously balanced with convenience—it is freely accessible prior to acquisition thereof by a user, and is thereafter easily made secure by the user, who is provided with the capability of readily and selectively enabling access to the data stored therein.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A resonant data storage device for securely storing data that is only accessible by at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus when the resonant data storage device is in an ON mode, and for otherwise preventing access to the stored data, comprising:
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at least one electronic component operable to store the data; at least one antenna, operable to enable wireless access to said at least one electronic component only when said at least one antenna is electrically connected thereto; at least one security mode selection component, that when engaged, is operable to electrically connect at least one of said at least one antenna to said at least one electronic component to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, accessible to the at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus, only for the duration of said engagement thereof, such that when at least one security mode selection component is released, said at least one antenna is automatically disconnected from said at least one electronic component; and at least one security mode control component, that when engaged, is operable to maintain said at least one security mode selection component in a continually engaged position to thereby maintain the resonant data storage device in a continual ON mode, and that when disengaged, enables user-controlled selective engagement and/or disengagement of said at least one security mode selection component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A resonant data storage device for securely storing data that is only accessible by at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus when the resonant data storage device is in an ON mode, and for otherwise preventing access to the stored data, comprising:
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at least one electronic component operable to store the data; at least one antenna, operable to enable wireless access to said at least one electronic component only when said at least one antenna is electrically connected thereto; at least one plural-break switch, operable to selectively switch between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in said engaged position, said at least one plural-break switch electrically connects at least one of said at least one antenna to said at least one electronic component to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, accessible to the at least one compatible resonant data access apparatus, only for the duration of said engagement thereof, and wherein in said disengaged position, said at least one plural-break switch severs at least two electrical connections between said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification