Non-reusable identification device

• US 7,323,998 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• 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:
  US10/806,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0739 the incapacitated circuit being part of an antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0286 provided with adaptations for labelling machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An identification device has a band and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band to fasten it around a limb of a user. A transponder circuit is attached to the band, and is responsive to a received wireless signal. In response to the received wireless signal, the transponder emits a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder. An electrically conductive continuous loop on the band extends from the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band, the loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s limb. Circuitry in the transponder is electrically connected to the loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a band having at least one outer edge;

a fastening arranged to fasten said band around a body part of a user, the fastening having a plurality of adjustment points to accommodate different body sizes or body parts;

a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the band, wherein the RFID circuit comprising;

an antenna; and

a transponder chip; and

at least one tamper detecting electrically conductive trace disposed in the band and connected to said RFID circuit, wherein the combination of said trace and said antenna surround at least a portion of the fastening such that a cut cannot be made from a first adjustment point of the plurality of adjustment points to a second adjustment point of the plurality of adjustment points without severing at least one of said antenna and said trace.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fastening is comprised of a barbed peg, mating hole, and at least one adjustment hole, such that the fastening may be secured by passing said peg through said adjustment hole and locked into said mating hole.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the portion of the fastening mechanism that is surrounded is at least of the following:

said barbed peg, said mating hole, and said at least one adjustment hole.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the band further comprises:

identification information in printed form.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the band has one or more holes formed along a length thereof and the electrically conductive trace runs adjacent to the holes.

6. A device comprising:

a band having an interior portion surrounded by an outer edge;

a barbed peg;

a mating hole;

a plurality of adjustment holes disposed along a portion of the band such that said identification device may be snugly fitted to a user'"'"'s body part by inserting said peg through a selected one of said adjustment holes and locking said peg into said mating hole;

a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the band, the RFID circuit comprising;

an antenna; and

transponder chip; and

at least one tamper detecting additional electrically conductive trace disposed in the band and connected to said RFID circuit, wherein the combination of said electrically conductive trace and said antenna surround at least one of said adjustment holes such that a cut cannot be made from a first adjustment hole disposed along the portion of the band to a second adjustment hole disposed along the portion of the band connected to said RFID circuit without severing at least one of said antenna and said at least one additional electrically conductive trace.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the antenna and the electrically conductive trace are arranged such that a cut cannot be made between said outer edge of the band and said at least one of said adjustment holes without severing at least one of said antenna and said trace.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the band further comprises:

identification information in printed form.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the band has one or more holes formed along a length thereof and the electrically conductive trace runs adjacent to the holes.