System and method for disabling RFID tags

• US 7,277,016 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Karjoth, Guenter, von Gutfeld, Robert J., Moskowitz, Paul Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/946,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.7, 343/842
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0739 the incapacitated circuit being part of an antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation

Abstract

The invention provides protection to wireless portable transponders from unauthorized interrogation by employing a mechanism for disabling reception by or from the antenna of the transponder. Transponders include RFID tags that are attached to items that a persons may purchase or carry. Such transponders generally have an ability for receiving and storing electronic and other information, commonly in binary form using memories as in electronic circuits, etc. The invention is designed to provide privacy of electronic information. The tags can be protected from receiving or providing unauthorized or unwanted information. The invention provides the mechanism that permit the owner to decide when reception/interrogation of personal or other information is not desired by employing the provided mechanical disable control.

Claims

1. An apparatus to manufacture a wireless RFID tag, said apparatus comprising:

means for providing a memory chip, an antenna, and a mounting means for mounting said memory chip and said antenna; and

means for coupling said memory chip to said antenna with an electrical conductor passing through an exterior portion of said mounting means, at least a portion of said electrical conductor being removable when it is desired to disable interrogation of said RFID tag.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

means for disabling an interrogation of said RFID tag by physically damaging at least a portion of an interrogation circuit in said RFID tag so as to damage said RFID tag.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the means for disabling the interrogation of said RFID tag by physically damaging at least a portion of the interrogation circuit in said RFID tag, comprises means taken from a group of means consisting of:

means for scratching off a connection emanating from the antenna within said RFID tag, means for scratching off the antenna, means for removing a connection to the ends of the antenna, means for peeling off a layer containing the antenna, said antenna in contact with contacts connected to the input chip of said RFID tag, means for removing said portion of said electrical conductor, and means for damaging the connection to the input chip.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said electrical conductor has a limitation taken from a group of limitations consisting of:

said electrical conductor being a portion of said antenna;

said electrical conductor being formed on a removable layer of said mounting means;

said electrical conductor being covered by an adhesive material adhering to said electrical conductor;

said electrical conductor being covered by an adhesive material adhering to said electrical conductor, wherein said adhesive material having perforation surrounding at least a portion of said electrical conductor, said perforation formed such as to simplify removal of said adhesive material from said mounting means in a manner causing removal of said electrical conductor;

said mounting means comprising a first adhesive layer firmly affixed to the top surface of at least a portion of said electrical conductor, and a second adhesive layer less firmly affixed to the bottom surface of said electrical conductor;

said electrical conductor being covered by an insulating layer with a window giving access to said electrical conductor; and

any combination of these limitations;

wherein a disconnection in said electrical conductor may be observed by visual inspection.