Tamper-resistant RFID disabling apparatus

• US 7,286,055 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bartronics Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: Proximities Incorporated (Bartronics India Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lerch, John W., Girvin, Joshua M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US11/068,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07381 with deactivation or otherwise incapacitation of at least a part of the circuit upon detected tampering
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person

Abstract

A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus that includes a mechanism for storing an excess portion of the apparatus when engaged. The apparatus includes a substrate including a series of holes along a length thereof and a slot distal from the series of holes, a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the apparatus to an object, an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate and an electrically conductive loop disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit, that is arranged to disable the RFID circuit when cut. The slot receives a tail portion of the substrate when the apparatus is secured.

Claims

1. A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

a substrate;

an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate;

a mechanism extending through at least a tail portion of the substrate for disabling the RFID circuit when the mechanism is severed;

a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the apparatus to an object; and

a slot located in the substrate to receive and restrain the tail portion of the substrate;

wherein the substrate includes a series of holes along a length thereof; and

wherein the locking mechanism includes;

a peg located at one end of the substrate; and

a locking hole located the same end of the substrate, the peg and the locking hole cooperatively and securely attach to one another to securely engage one hole of the substrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit is located in close proximity to the slot.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot is located in an area of the substrate as not to interfere with viewing of indicia on a surface of the substrate.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot forms a frangible zone in the substrate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit includes a loop antenna and an RFID transponder chip.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slot forms a frangible zone in the substrate such that at least a portion of the loop antenna is severed upon a break in the frangible zone.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slot is surrounded by at least a portion of the loop antenna.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for disabling the RFID circuit includes an electrically conductive loop disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electrically conductive loop runs along substantially the entire length of the substrate.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot is formed after production of the RFID identification apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot is located in close proximity to the locking mechanism.

12. A method of adapting a tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

cutting a slot in a proximal end of a substrate of the apparatus to slidably accept and restrain a tail portion of a distal end of the substrate;

wherein the apparatus includes;

a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the apparatus to an object;

an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate; and

a mechanism extending through at least the tail portion of the substrate for disabling the RFID circuit when the mechanism is severed;

wherein the substrate includes a series of holes along a length thereof; and

wherein the locking mechanism includes;

a peg located at one end of the substrate; and

a locking hole located the same end of the substrate, the peg and the locking hole cooperatively and securely attach to one another to securely engage one hole of the substrate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mechanism for disabling the RFID circuit includes an electrically conductive loop disposed on the substrate and coupled to the RFID circuit.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrically conductive loop runs along substantially the entire length of the substrate.

15. A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus, comprising:

a substrate;

an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate;

a mechanism extending through at least a tail portion of the substrate for disabling the RFID circuit when the mechanism is severed; and

a slot located in the substrate to receive and restrain the tail portion of the substrate; and

wherein the substrate includes a series of holes along a length thereof cooperating with a locking mechanism; and

wherein the locking mechanism includes;

a peg located at one end of the substrate; and

a locking hole located the same end of the substrate, the peg and the locking hole cooperatively and securely attach to one another to securely engage one hole of the substrate.