SECURE ELECTROMAGNETIC DATA STORAGE ELEMENT HAVING A PLURALITY OF SELECTIVELY DETERMINED SWITCHABLE SECURITY MODES

• US 20090289774A1
• Filed: 07/12/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zhenuine Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zhenuine Corporation
• Inventors: Choi, Yu Yung
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.500
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches

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.

Claims

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.

2. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one security mode selection component comprises at least one plural-break switch, that, when disengaged severs at least two electrical connections between said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component.

3. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one antenna is selected from a group comprising at least one of:

a high frequency (HF) antenna, an ultra high frequency (UHF) antenna, a microwave antenna, a cellular antenna, a satellite antenna, and/or a RuBee magnetic antenna.

4. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one security mode selection component comprises a membrane switch that causes and maintains an electrical connection between said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component, only while sufficient pressure is applied thereto, and that otherwise disconnects said least one antenna from said at least one electronic component.

5. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein each said at least one security mode selection component comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts connected thereto, wherein each said at least one antenna comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts connected thereto, said first and second plurality of contacts being sized, positioned and configured such that when said at least one security mode selection component is engaged, at least two of said first plurality of contacts are placed into electrical contact with at least two of said second plurality of contacts to thereby form a closed electrical circuit comprising said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component.

6. The resonant data storage device of claim 5, further comprising at least one electromagnetic shielding component operable to prevent said first plurality of electrical contacts from undesirably enabling unauthorized wireless access to said at least one electronic component.

7. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one security mode control component is selectively operable to be selectively disposed in a first position or in a second position, and wherein each said at least one security mode control component comprises:

a releasable retention component operable to selectively move said at least one security mode control component between said first and said second positions, and

a pressure component sized, positioned and configured on said releasable retention component, to;

when said at least one security mode control component is in said first position, maintain sufficient pressure on said at least one security mode selection component to keep said at least one security mode selection component continually engaged, thereby maintaining the resonant data storage device in the ON mode, accessible by the at least one compatible data access apparatus, and

when said at least one security mode control component is in said second position, remove pressure from said at least one security mode selection component to disengage said at least one security mode selection component, thereby maintaining the resonant data storage device in an OFF mode, and preventing access thereto by the least one compatible data access apparatus.

8. The resonant data storage device of claim 7, wherein each of said first and said second positions comprise different regions of the resonant data storage device, wherein:

moving at least one of said releasable retention components to said first position, comprises aligning said pressure component in a first region corresponding to said at least one security mode selection component to apply pressure thereto sufficient to maintain continual engagement thereof, while moving at least one of said releasable retention components to said second position, comprises moving said pressure component away from said first region to another region of the resonant data storage device away from said first region.

9. The resonant data storage device of claim 8, wherein each said releasable retention component comprises a sliding element operable to slidably move said pressure component between said first and said second positions.

10. The resonant data storage device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said releasable retention components comprises a swivel-type element operable to swivel in a plane parallel to said releasable retention component, to thereby move said pressure component between said first and said second positions.

11. The resonant data storage device of claim 10, wherein at least one of said releasable retention components further comprises a lock element to releasably lock said swivel-type element in said first position.

12. The resonant data storage device of claim 7, wherein said first position comprises a predefined region of the resonant data storage device comprising said at least one security mode selection component, and wherein said second positions comprises a region outside and away from the resonant data storage device, wherein:

moving at least one of said releasable retention components to said first position, comprises aligning said pressure component in a first region corresponding to said at least one security mode selection component to apply pressure thereto sufficient to maintain continual engagement thereof, while

moving each at least one of said releasable retention components to said second position, comprises completely removing each said releasable retention component from the resonant data storage device, to disengage said pressure component from said at least one security mode selection component, and to thereby remove said at least one security mode control component from the resonant data storage device.

13. The resonant data storage device of claim 12, wherein at least one of said releasable retention components comprises a clip element mountable on the resonant data storage device, and completely removable therefrom, said clip element comprising said pressure component defined therein, and also comprising a spring component operable to enable said pressure component to apply sufficient pressure to said at least one security mode selection component when positioned thereon.

14. The resonant data storage device of claim 12, wherein the resonant data storage device comprises a layered body, wherein said at least one security mode selection component comprises a membrane switch, and wherein at least one of said releasable retention components comprises a retaining layer element positioned on, or in, the resonant data storage device, and completely removable therefrom, said layer element comprising said pressure component defined thereon, sized positioned and configured to apply sufficient pressure to said at least one security mode selection component when aligned therewith in said first position, and wherein said retaining layer element is operable for removal from the resonant data storage device by at least one of:

tearing off, sliding out, and/or peeling off.

15. The resonant data storage device of claim 14, wherein said at least one security mode selection component further comprises a tab element, external to resonant data storage device and accessible by a user, connected to said flat planar retaining layer element, said tab element being selectively operable to facilitate removal of said retaining layer element from the resonant data storage device.

16. The resonant data storage device of claim 10, wherein at least one of said releasable retention components is configured for being usable only once, such that upon removal thereof from the resonant data storage device, thereafter access to said at least one electronic component is controlled solely through said least one security mode selection component.

17. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of thin stacked planar layers at least partially affixed to one another, said plural stacked layers comprising a housing region defined therein sized and configured to store said at least one electronic component, and wherein each of said at least one antenna, at least one security mode selection components, and at least one security mode control component are each at least partially disposed on at least one of said plural layers.

18. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of thin stacked planar layers at least partially affixed to one another, said plural stacked layers comprising at least one housing region defined therein sized and configured to store air compressed by engagement of said at least one security mode selection component in addition to storing said at least one electronic component, and wherein each of said at least one antenna, at least one security mode selection components, and at least one security mode control component are each at least partially disposed on at least one of said plural layers.

19. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises an active component requiring electrical power for operation thereof and at least one component electrical contact, and wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least one antenna contact, further comprising a battery element positioned within the resonant data storage device, comprising at least one battery contact, said battery element being operable to supply electrical power through an electrical connection with said at least one battery contact, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, further comprises an electrical connection means for, when said at least one security mode selection component is engaged, to electrically connect at least a portion of said at least one component electrical contact, said at least one antenna contact, and said at least one battery contact, sufficient to provide power to said at least one electronic component during engagement thereof.

20. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises at least one component electrical contact, wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least one antenna contact, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, further comprises an electrically conductive bridge element, said electrically conductive bridge element being positioned, sized and configured to be operable, when said at least one security mode selection component is engaged, to electrically connect said at least one component electrical contact with said at least one antenna contact to thereby place the resonant data storage device in the ON mode and accessible by the at least one compatible data access apparatus.

21. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a single predetermined electronic component being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a single antenna of a predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, comprises a plurality of switches being operable to:

electrically connect said antenna to said predetermined 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 antenna is automatically disconnected from said predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance by said predetermined electronic component of said at least one additional function.

22. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a plurality of predetermined electronic components being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a single antenna of a predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, comprises a plurality of switches, each associated with a corresponding plural predetermined electronic component, and being operable to:

electrically connect said antenna to at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance, by at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, of said at least one additional function.

23. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a plurality of predetermined electronic components being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennae each of a different predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, comprises a plurality of switches, each associated with a corresponding plural predetermined electronic component, and with a corresponding plural antenna, and being operable to:

electrically connect at least one of said plural antennae to said corresponding associated at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance, by at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, of said at least one additional function.

24. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a predetermined electronic component, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennae each of a different predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one security mode selection component, comprises a plurality of switches, each associated with a corresponding plural antenna, and being operable to:

electrically connect at least one of said plural antennae to said predetermined electronic component, to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component, and to enable wireless access to the stored data in a wireless connection supported by said at least one connected plural antenna.

25. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic component further comprises an open electrical circuit therein, and a pair of external activation electrical contacts, and configured to only be operable when said external activation electrical contacts are electrically connected to one another, wherein said at least one security mode selection component, is sized, configured, and positioned, to be operable, when engaged, to electrically connect at least one of said at least one antenna to said at least one electronic component and, at the same time, to electrically connect said external activation electrical contacts with one another to thereby activate said at least one electronic component, and to place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode.

26. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a substantially internal switch region, wherein said at least one security mode selection component is at least partially positioned in said switch region, and wherein said at least one electronic component is positioned within said switch region.

27. The resonant data storage device of claim 1, configured for use in conjunction with a predetermined product, wherein the resonant data storage device comprises one of:

a resonant tag or a resonant card operable to house the various subcomponents thereof, wherein said resonant tag or resonant card is operable to be at least one of;

attached to said product, be releasably attached to said product, or integrated into said product as a subcomponent thereof.

28. A method, for utilizing the resonant data storage device of claim 1, for enhancing logistics, record-keeping, and data tracking capabilities in connection with commercial transactions involving a plurality of products originated from a manufacturer, each plural product comprising unique product data associated therewith, the plural products being transported from the manufacturer and sold, by at least one intermediary party, to a customer, said method comprising, for each plural product, the steps of:

(a) providing the resonant data storage device comprising said at least one security mode control component configured in an engaged position, such that the resonant data storage device in a continual ON mode, and accessible by at least one resonant data access apparatus,

(b) storing product data corresponding to said plural product in said at least one electronic component of the resonant data storage device,

(c) positioning the resonant data storage device in at least one of;

close proximity to, or in attachment with, the corresponding plural product, such that the resonant data storage device is accessible by a plurality of resonant data access systems of the manufacturer and/or of the at feast one intermediary party, in connection with product-related commercial and/or logistical operations thereof; and

(d) in connection with a sale of the plural product to the customer, disengaging said at least one security mode control component from said at least one security mode selection component, to place the resonant data storage device in an OFF mode, such that the product data stored in the resonant data storage device is thereafter only accessible when said at least one security mode selection component is maintained in an engaged position.

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:

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.

30. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one antenna is selected from a group comprising at least one of:

a high frequency (HF) antenna, an ultra high frequency (UHF) antenna, a microwave antenna, a cellular antenna, a satellite antenna, and/or a RuBee magnetic antenna.

31. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein each said at least one plural-break switch comprises a membrane switch that causes and maintains an electrical connection between said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component, only while sufficient pressure is applied thereto, and that otherwise disconnects said least one antenna from said at least one electronic component.

32. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein each said at least one plural-break switch comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts connected thereto, wherein each said at least one antenna comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts connected thereto, said first and second plurality of contacts being sized, positioned and configured such that when said at least one plural-break switch is engaged, at least two of said first plurality of contacts are placed into electrical contact with at least two of said second plurality of contacts, to thereby form a closed electrical circuit comprising said at least one antenna and said at least one electronic component.

33. The resonant data storage device of claim 32, further comprising at least one electromagnetic shielding component operable to prevent said first plurality of electrical contacts from undesirably enabling unauthorized wireless access to said at least one electronic component.

34. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, further comprising a plurality of thin stacked planar layers at least partially affixed to one another, said plural stacked layers comprising a housing region defined therein sized and configured to store said at least one electronic component, and wherein each of said at least one antenna and at least one plural-break switch are each at least partially disposed on at least one of said plural layers.

35. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, further comprising a plurality of thin stacked planar layers at least partially affixed to one another, said plural stacked layers comprising at least one housing region defined therein sized and configured to store air compressed by engagement of said at least one plural-break switch, in addition to storing said at least one electronic component, and wherein each of said at least one antenna and at least one plural-break switch are each at least partially disposed on at least one of said plural layers.

36. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises an active component requiring electrical power for operation thereof and at least one component electrical contact, and wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least one antenna contact, further comprising a battery element positioned within the resonant data storage device, comprising at least one battery contact, said battery element being operable to supply electrical power through an electrical connection with said at least one battery contact, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, further comprises an electrical connection means for, when said at least one plural-break switch is engaged, to electrically connect at least a portion of said at least one component electrical contact, said at least one antenna contact, and said at least one battery contact, sufficient to provide power to said at least one electronic component during engagement thereof.

37. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one plural-break switch at least one component electrical contact, wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least one antenna contact, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, further comprises an electrically conductive bridge element, said electrically conductive bridge element being positioned, sized and configured to be operable, when said at least one plural-break switch is engaged, to electrically connect said at least one component electrical contact with said at least one antenna contact to thereby place the resonant data storage device in the ON mode and accessible by the at least one compatible data access apparatus.

38. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, further comprising a substantially internal switch region, wherein said at least one plural-break switch is at least partially positioned in said switch region, and wherein said at least one electronic component is positioned within said switch region.

39. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a single predetermined electronic component being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a single antenna of a predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, comprises a plurality of plural-break switches being operable to:

in said engaged position, electrically connect said antenna to said predetermined 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 plural-break switch is disengaged, said antenna is automatically disconnected from said predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance by said predetermined electronic component of said at least one additional function.

40. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a plurality of predetermined electronic components being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a single antenna of a predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, comprises a plurality of plural-break switches, each associated with a corresponding plural predetermined electronic component, and being operable to:

in said engaged position, electrically connect said antenna to at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance, by at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, of said at least one additional function.

41. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a plurality of predetermined electronic components being further operable to perform at least one additional function, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennae each of a different predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, comprises a plurality of plural-break switches, each associated with a corresponding plural predetermined electronic component, and with a corresponding plural antenna, and being operable to:

in said engaged position, electrically connect at least one of said plural antennae to said corresponding associated at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component; and

selectively control performance, by at least one of said plural predetermined electronic components, of said at least one additional function.

42. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component comprises a predetermined electronic component, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a plurality of antennae each of a different predefined configuration, and wherein said at least one plural-break switch, comprises a plurality of plural-break switches, each associated with a corresponding plural antenna, and being operable to:

in said engaged position, electrically connect at least one of said plural antennae to said predetermined electronic component, to thereby place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode, with respect to data stored in said connected plural predetermined electronic component, and to enable wireless access to the stored data in a wireless connection supported by said at least one connected plural antenna.

43. The resonant data storage device of claim 29, wherein said at least one electronic component further comprises an open electrical circuit therein, and a pair of external activation electrical contacts, and configured to only be operable when said external activation electrical contacts are electrically connected to one another, wherein said at least one plural-break switch, is sized, configured, and positioned, to be operable, when engaged, to electrically connect at least one of said at least one antenna to said at least one electronic component and, at the same time, to electrically connect said external activation electrical contacts with one another to thereby activate said at least one electronic component, and to place the resonant data storage device into the ON mode.