Identification tag with enhanced security

• US 6,646,554 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sainati, Robert A., Karel, Gerald L., Piotrowski, Chester, Tsai, Ching-Long, Goff, Edward D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van Thanh
• Application Number:
  US09/639,032
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.2, 340/572.4, 340/572.6, 340/572.7, 340/571, 340/551, 340/552, 340/522, 340/825.34, 340/825.54, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/10.3, 340/10.31, 340/10.32, 340/10.42
• US Class Current: 340/572.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2408 using ferromagnetic tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2485 Simultaneous detection of multiple EAS tags
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407

Abstract

A combination tag is disclosed, including a magnetically-responsive element and a radio frequency-responsive element. In one embodiment, the magnetically-responsive element also functions as an antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a passive, unpowered radio frequency-responsive element comprising an antenna, and an integrated circuit for storing and updating information in a memory and for communicating information by the antenna; and

a magnetic material connected with the radio frequency-responsive element, the magnetic material generating a predetermined characteristic response when the magnetic material is in an alternating magnetic field.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises the magnetic material.