Identification device having reusable transponder

• US 7,198,190 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Peterson, Dean D., Juhan, Dodge, Wilson, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US10/858,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20050066563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/385, 340/573.1, 602/62, 368/10, 343/718, 343/700
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person

Abstract

An identification band for attachment to an individual or object includes an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends. The body also includes a substantially flat intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and semi-circular edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends. A connector is configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body. The connector is removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body. A machine readable radio frequency identification chip is associated with the body, and an antenna is operatively connected to the chip.

Claims

1. An identification band for attachment to an individual or object, comprising:

an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends, a substantially flat intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and semi-circular edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends;

a connector configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body, wherein the connector is removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body;

a machine readable radio frequency identification chip associated with the body; and

an antenna operatively connected to the chip;

wherein the fastening openings move between a first configuration having a dog-bone-shaped cross section to a second configuration configured for interference fit reception with the connector when the connector matingly engages the first and second ends of the body.

2. The identification band of claim 1, wherein the antenna is embedded in the connector.

3. The identification band of claim 1, including a card inserted within the body.

4. The identification band of claim 3, wherein the chip is embedded within the card.

5. The identification band of claim 1, including a label adhered on the exterior of the body.

6. The identification band of claim 5, wherein the chip is embedded within the label.

7. The identification band of claim 1, wherein the chip is embedded within the connector.

8. An identification band for attachment to an object or individual to be identified, comprising:

an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends, a substantially flat intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and semi-circular edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends;

a connector configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body, the connector including a machine readable radio frequency identification chip, and being removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body; and

an antenna operatively connected to the chip;

wherein the fastening openings move between a first configuration having a dog-bone-shaped cross-section to a second configuration configured for interference fit reception with the connector when the connector matingly engages the first and second ends of the body.

9. The identification band of claim 8, including a card inserted within the body.

10. The identification band of claim 8, including a label adhered on the exterior of the body.

11. The identification band of claim 8, wherein the antenna is embedded in the connector.

12. An identification band for attachment to an object or individual to be identified, comprising:

an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends, a substantially flat intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and semi-circular edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends;

a connector configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body, the connector including a machine readable radio frequency identification chip, and being removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body;

an antenna embedded in the connector and operatively connected to the chip; and

a card inserted within the body and visible to a user through a transparent portion of the body;

wherein the fastening openings move between a first configuration having a dog-bone-shaped cross section to a second configuration configured for interference fit reception with the connector when the connector matingly engages the first and second ends of the body.

13. An identification band for attachment to an individual or object, comprising:

an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends, a substantially flat intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and semi-circular edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends;

a connector configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body, wherein the connector is removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body;

a machine readable radio frequency identification chip associated with the body; and

an antenna operatively connected to the chip;

wherein the fastening openings move between a first configuration having a flattened cross section to a second configuration having a distended cross-section configured for interference fit reception with the connector when the connector matingly engages the first and second ends of the body.

14. The identification band of claim 13, wherein the antenna is embedded in the connector.

15. The identification band of claim 13, including a card inserted within the body wherein the chip is embedded within the card.

16. The identification band of claim 13, including a label adhered on the exterior of the body wherein the chip is embedded within the label.

17. The identification band of claim 13, wherein the chip is embedded within the connector.

18. An identification band for attachment to an individual or object, comprising:

an at least partially non-transparent elongated hollow body having first and second opposite ends, a non-circular intermediate portion with top and bottom surfaces and curved edges, and a pair of fastening openings formed respectively at the first and second ends;

a connector configured for interference fit reception into the fastening openings for removably attaching the first and second ends of the body, wherein the connector is removable from the fastening openings and adapted for subsequent assembly and re-use with a replacement body;

a machine readable radio frequency identification chip associated with the body; and

an antenna operatively connected to the chip;

wherein the fastening openings move between a first configuration having a non-circular cross section to a second configuration having a distended cross-section configured for interference fit reception with the connector when the connector matingly engages the first and second ends of the body.

19. The identification band of claim 18, wherein the antenna is embedded in the connector.

20. The identification band of claim 18, including a card inserted within the body wherein the chip is embedded within the card.

21. The identification band of claim 18, including a label adhered on the exterior of the body wherein the chip is embedded within the label.

22. The identification band of claim 18, wherein the chip is embedded within the connector.