Non-reusable identification device

• US 7,348,888 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2006
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• 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:
  US11/397,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/568.2, 340/568.3, 340/568.4
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• 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. An identification device, comprising:

an elongated band having a periphery with two elongated sides generally in parallel with each other, the elongated band also having two opposite ends;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join the two opposite ends to fasten said band around a body part of a user;

a transponder circuit attached to said band, the transponder circuit having at least two circuit components that must be electrically connected for the transponder to operate, the transponder circuit being responsive to a received wireless signal, and in response to said received wireless signal, the transponder circuit emitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder;

an electrically conductive, frangible closed loop formed on said band, the electrically conductive, frangible closed loop;

providing an electrically closed path between two circuit components of the transponder; and

running along substantially the entire periphery of said band such that it is disposed proximate to outer edges of each of said opposite ends and proximate to outer edges of the two elongated sides;

said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s body part; and

the two circuit components in said transponder electrically connected to said loop and therefore arranged to become disconnected if said loop is broken.

2. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening is not electrically conductive.

3. The identification device of claim 1, wherein the non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening is electrically isolated from the electrically conductive frangible closed loop.

4. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening is arranged to damage said frangible loop on being unfastened.

5. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening comprises an adhesive patch comprising an adhesive layer overlying a surface layer of the band and a peelable protective layer overlying said adhesive layer, wherein said peelable layer can be removed without damaging said surface layer and wherein said adhesive layer bonds to an opposite end of said band more strongly than said surface layer is bonded to said band.

6. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening further comprises:

a hole in one end of said band and a barbed peg on the other end of said band, the barbed peg arranged to pass through said hole and lock into a mating hole shaped to resist removal from said hole, and wherein said frangible loop closely encircles said hole.

7. The identification device of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of said holes formed in said band such that said identification device may be snugly fitted to a wearer'"'"'s limb by snapping said peg into a selected one of said holes, and wherein said frangible loop closely encircles each of said holes.

8. The identification device of claim 7, further comprising a portion of said frangible loop closely encircling said peg.

9. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said frangible loop includes at least one portion arranged to break before remaining portions of the loop.

10. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said non-reusable tamper resistant fastening comprises at least one hole in one end of said band and a barbed peg on the other end of said band, the barbed peg arranged to pass through said at least one hole and is shaped to resist removal from said hole.

11. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said band is selected from a group consisting of a bracelet, a belt, and an anklet.

29. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive loop extends out from said transponder along a first edge of the band, and returns back to said transponder along a second edge of said band opposite said first edge.

30. The identification device of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a coiled wire portion disposed adjacent to said transponder circuit and cooperating therewith to emit and receive wireless signals.

31. The identification device of claim 1 wherein said transponder circuit further comprises an integrated circuit.

12. An identification device comprising:

an elongated band having a periphery with two elongated sides generally in parallel with each other, the elongated band also having two opposite ends;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join the two opposite ends to fasten said band to an article of apparel of a user;

a transponder circuit attached to said band, the transponder circuit having at least two circuit components that must be electrically connected for the transponder to operate, the transponder circuit being responsive to a received wireless signal, and in response to said received wireless signal, the transponder circuit emitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder;

an electrically conductive, frangible closed loop formed on said band, the electrically conductive, frangible closed loop;

providing an electrically closed path between two circuit components of the transponder; and

running along substantially the entire periphery of said band such that it is disposed proximate to outer edges of each of said opposite ends and proximate to outer edges of the two elongated sides;

said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s body part; and

the two circuit components in said transponder electrically connected to said loop and therefore arranged to become disconnected if said loop is broken.

13. A device comprising:

an elongated band having a periphery with two elongated sides generally in parallel with each other, the elongated band also having two opposite ends;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join the two opposite ends to fasten said band around a body part of a user;

a transponder circuit attached to said band, the transponder circuit being responsive to a received wireless signal, and in response to said received wireless signal, transmitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder circuit;

an antenna, cooperating with said transponder circuit for receiving and transmitting the received and transmitted wireless signals;

an electrically conductive, frangible closed loop formed on said band and electrically coupled in series to said antenna and said transponder, the electrically conductive, frangible closed loop;

providing an electrically closed path between two circuit components of the transponder; and

running along substantially the entire periphery of said band such that it is disposed proximate to outer edges of each of said opposite ends and proximate to outer edges of the two elongated sides;

said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s body part; and

the two circuit components in said transponder electrically connected to said loop and therefore arranged to become disconnected if said loop is broken.

14. A device as in claim 13 wherein:

the transponder additionally has first and second signal connection points;

the antenna additionally has first and second signal connection points;

the electrically conductive loop additionally has first and second signal connection points; and

the direct in series connection between the antenna and transponder provided by;

the first signal connector point of said transponder being connected to the first signal connection point of said antenna;

the second signal connector point of said antenna being connected to the first signal connector point of said conductive loop; and

the second signal connection point of said conductive loop being connected to the second signal connector point of said transponder.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening is arranged to damage said loop upon being unfastened.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein said non-reusable tamper- resistant fastening comprises an adhesive patch comprising an adhesive layer overlying a surface layer of the band and a peelable protective layer overlying said adhesive layer, wherein said peelable layer can be removed without damaging said surface layer and wherein said adhesive layer bonds to a portion of said band more strongly than said surface layer is bonded to said band.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening comprises an adjustment hole in one portion of said band and a barbed peg on another portion of said band, the barbed peg arranged to be inserted through said adjustment hole and engage a locking hole, said peg being shaped to resist removal from said locking hole.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising 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 wherein said electrically conductive loop substantially surrounds at least one of said adjustment holes.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a portion of said electrically conductive loop substantially surrounding said peg.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein said band has two lengthwise edges along which run respective portions of the electrically conductive loop.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said band has two additional edges along respective first and second ends thereof, with the electrically conductive loop also running along the first and second respective ends.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein said electrically conductive loop includes at least one portion arranged to break before remaining portions of the loop break.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein said non-reusable tamper resistant fastening comprises at least one hole in one portion of said band and a barbed peg on another portion of said band, the barbed peg arranged to pass through said at least one hole and is shaped to resist removal from said hole.

24. The device of claim 13, wherein said band is selected from a group consisting of a bracelet, a belt, and an anklet.

25. The device of claim 13, wherein said electrically conductive loop is a single conductor having a first section that runs from said transponder to an edge portion of the band at first end of said band, and a second section directly connected to and electronically continuous with said first section, the second section running from said first end of the band back to said transponder.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein said band has a second end located in a portion of said band spaced away from said first end, and said loop runs to an edge portion of the band at the second end.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said electrically conductive loop further runs from said second end back to said transponder.

28. The device of claim 13, wherein said transponder is located in a portion of said band spaced away from said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening.

32. The device of claim 13 wherein the electrically conductive loop extends out from said transponder circuit along a first edge of the band, and returns back to said transponder circuit along a second edge of said band opposite said first edge.

33. The device of claim 13 wherein said transponder circuit further comprises an integrated circuit.

34. An identification device, comprising:

a band having a first end region and second end region and a middle region located between said two end regions;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join said first and second end regions of said band to fasten it around a body part of a user;

a transponder circuit attached to said band in said middle region, the transponder circuit being responsive to a received wireless signal and in response to said received wireless signal emitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder circuit;

an antenna, formed as a coil of conductive material surrounding said transponder circuit, and cooperating with said transponder circuit to receive and emit wireless signals;

an electrically conductive, frangible closed loop formed on said band, the electrically conductive, frangible closed loop;

providing an electrically closed connection path between the transponder and the antenna, and

running along substantially the entire periphery of said band such that it is disposed proximate to outer edges of said first end region and said second end region, and proximate to outer edges of the middle region;

said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s body part; and

the transponder and antenna therefore arranged to become disconnected if said loop is broken.

35. The identification device of claim 34, wherein the non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening is a peg and a plurality of adjustment holes such that said identification device may be snugly fitted to the user'"'"'s body part by inserting said peg into a selected one of said adjustment holes.

36. The identification device of claim 35, further comprising a portion of said electrically conductive, frangible closed loop substantially surrounding said peg.