METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING PRIVACY IN AN RFID SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An RFID device for storing and communicating information to an authorized reader, the RFID device comprising:
- a cover;
a substrate within the cover;
an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals;
a chip on the substrate coupled with the antenna, the chip including an impedance matching circuit, the chip configured to store information and communicate the information to the authorized reader via the antenna;
a switching mechanism configured to tune and detune the antenna relative to the chip to enable and disable, respectively, the chip'"'"'s ability to communicate the information via the antenna; and
an activation mechanism configured to control the switching mechanism, wherein the activation mechanism is user-operable;
wherein the impedance matching circuit is configured to ensure that when the switching mechanism is activated, there is a good impedance match between the chip and the antenna, the impedance matching circuit further configured to account for the effects of the substrate and a surface to which the device is attached when the antenna is tuned and detuned via the switching mechanism.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A card comprises an antenna configured to generate and receive radio frequency signals, a chip coupled with the antenna, the chip configured to store sensitive information and communicate the information to an authorized reader via the antenna, and a switching mechanism configured to tune and detune the antenna relative to the chip to enable and disable respectively, the chips ability to communicate the sensitive information via the antenna.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An RFID device for storing and communicating information to an authorized reader, the RFID device comprising:
-
a cover; a substrate within the cover; an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals; a chip on the substrate coupled with the antenna, the chip including an impedance matching circuit, the chip configured to store information and communicate the information to the authorized reader via the antenna; a switching mechanism configured to tune and detune the antenna relative to the chip to enable and disable, respectively, the chip'"'"'s ability to communicate the information via the antenna; and an activation mechanism configured to control the switching mechanism, wherein the activation mechanism is user-operable; wherein the impedance matching circuit is configured to ensure that when the switching mechanism is activated, there is a good impedance match between the chip and the antenna, the impedance matching circuit further configured to account for the effects of the substrate and a surface to which the device is attached when the antenna is tuned and detuned via the switching mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A document, comprising:
-
a substrate; an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals; a chip on the substrate coupled with the antenna, the chip including an impedance matching circuit, the chip configured to store information and communicate the information to an authorized reader via the antenna; a switching mechanism configured to tune and detune the antenna relative to the chip to enable and disable, respectively, the chip'"'"'s ability to communicate the information via the antenna; and an activation mechanism configured to control the switching mechanism, wherein the activation mechanism is user-operable; wherein the impedance matching circuit is configured to ensure that when the switching mechanism is activated, there is a good impedance match between the chip and the antenna, the impedance matching circuit further configured to account for the effects of the substrate and a surface to which the device is attached when the antenna is tuned and detuned via the switching mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for protecting the privacy of information stored on an RFID tag comprising an antenna, a switching mechanism, and a chip, the chip including an impedance matching circuit, the method comprising:
-
activating the switching mechanism so as to tune the antenna relative to the chip via the impedance matching circuit, wherein said impedance matching circuit is configured to account for the effects of a substrate to which the RFID tag is attached; communicating the information to a reader when the antenna is tuned; and deactivating the switching mechanism so as to detune the antenna relative to chip after the information is communicated to the reader. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for tuning an antenna relative to a chip in an RFID tag, the antenna comprising a plurality of portions wherein not all of the portions are in complete electrical communication, the chip comprising an impedance matching circuit, the method comprising:
-
configuring a switching mechanism such that all portions of the antenna are in complete electrical communication when the switching mechanism is activated and not in complete electrical communication when the switching mechanism is deactivated; activating a switching mechanism so as to place all portions of the antenna in complete electrical communication; and configuring the impedance matching circuit so as to tune the antenna relative to the chip when the switching mechanism is activated such that there is a good impedance match between the chip and the antenna when the switching mechanism is activated, wherein the impedance matching circuit is further configured to account for the effects of a substrate to which the RFID tag is attached. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
Specification