Radio frequency identification transponder with electronic circuit enabling/disabling capability
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of preventing theft of items containing electronic circuitry, said method comprising the following steps:
- connecting a radio frequency tag to said electronic circuitry, whereby said radio frequency tag can either enable or disable said electronic circuitry in response to a respective enable or disable signal sent from a base station and received by the radio frequency tag,disabling said electronic circuitry prior to a sale by sending a disabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag, andenabling said electronic circuitry after a sale by sending an enabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag.
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Abstract
An RF tag has an enable/disable circuit connected to a critical part of an electronic object/circuit, e.g. a computer mother board. The critical part of the circuit is any circuit component and/or connection that can enable and/or disable the electric circuit operation. Signals are sent to the tag to change data in the tag memory which causes the enable/disable tag circuit to control the critical part to enable and disable the electric circuit. A system checks the status of the tag, e.g. the electronic circuit was paid for, before enabling the electronic circuit.
179 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of preventing theft of items containing electronic circuitry, said method comprising the following steps:
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connecting a radio frequency tag to said electronic circuitry, whereby said radio frequency tag can either enable or disable said electronic circuitry in response to a respective enable or disable signal sent from a base station and received by the radio frequency tag, disabling said electronic circuitry prior to a sale by sending a disabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag, and enabling said electronic circuitry after a sale by sending an enabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of preventing theft of items containing electronic circuitry, said method comprising the following steps:
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connecting a radio frequency tag to said electronic circuitry, whereby said radio frequency tag can either enable or disable said electronic circuitry in response to a respective enable or disable signal sent from a base station and received by the radio frequency tag, disabling said electronic circuitry at a first predetermined time by sending a disabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag, and enabling said electronic circuitry at a second predetermined time by sending an enabling signal from a base station to said radio frequency tag. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for enabling and disabling electronic circuitry, comprising:
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electronic circuitry, a radio frequency tag electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, and a base station for sending a signal to said radio frequency tag at a specific time, wherein said electronic circuitry is enabled or disabled by the radio frequency tag in response to an enabling signal sent from the base station to the radio frequency tag at the specific time; and
wherein the specific time is during a point of sale transaction.
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13. A system for enabling and disabling electronic circuitry, comprising:
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electronic circuitry, a radio frequency tag electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, and a base station for sending a signal to said radio frequency tag at a specific time, wherein said electronic circuitry is enabled or disabled by the radio frequency tag in response to an enabling signal sent from the base station to the radio frequency tag at the specific time; and
wherein the specific time occurs during the electronic circuitry'"'"'s manufacturing process.
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Specification