METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING PRIVACY IN AN RFID SYSTEM

• US 20140209693A1
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neology Incorporated (OEP Technologie BV)
• Original Assignee: Neology Incorporated (OEP Technologie BV)
• Inventors: Nyalamadugu, Sheshidher, Liu, Jun, Martinez de Velasco Cortina, Francisco
• Granted Patent: US 9,098,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0739 the incapacitated circuit being part of an antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10277 the arrangement being mechanical, such as reinforced housings or protective cages against unlawful entry
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0414 in a stacked or folded configuration

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.

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.