RFID security system and methods

• US 7,479,882 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lookout Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flexilis Incorporated (Lookout Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mahaffey, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/397,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20070090954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.3, 340/10.51, 340/572.7, 340/10.34, 340/572.8, 340/568.1, 340/568.7, 340/572.1, 235/492, 235/487, 174/350, 343/841
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07327 Passive means, e.g. Faraday cages Faraday-type protection of electric circuits in general H05K9/00

Abstract

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag security device that selectively enables the readability of a RFID tag in a passport or book. The device has an RFID tag on one page and at least one layer of conductive material on a different page such that the tag and conductor are in parallel planes when the book or passport is closed and separated when it is open. Multiple conductors may be used on covers or pages surrounding the tag such that the tag is sandwiched between conductive materials when the book or passport is closed and loose when the book or passport is open. Optionally, the tag can be coupled to one of the conductive layers with a spacer placed between the tag and conductor. A two-part RFID tag assembly is also disclosed to have strong adhesives on both sides and weak bonds to detachably couple the two parts together.

Claims

1. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag security device, comprising:

a first layer of conductive material coupled to an item having the RFID tag;

wherein the first layer is capable of selectively interfering with a frequency transmission between the RFID tag and a RFID reader when the first layer is disposed in parallel to the RFID tag whereby when the first layer is separated from the RFID tag, the RFID tag is allowed to be read;

a second layer of conductive material coupled to the item and positioned to sandwich the RFID tag with the first layer when the item is in a first configuration wherein the first and second layers are coupled to the item so that when the item is in a second configuration the frequency transmission between the reader and the tag is allowed;

the conductive material is an electrically conductive material and wherein intefering includes blocking a radio frequency transmission;

a spacing layer coupled to at least one of the first layer and the RFID tag, and wherein the spacing layer comprises a ferrite-based material or other material with high magnetic permeability and high resistively.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive material is configured in at least one of foil, solid core, stranded core, sheet, and mesh.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers are coupled to each other in a book-like fashion, wherein the first configuration resembles a closed book, and wherein the second configuration resembles an open book.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second layers is flexible.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a spacing layer coupled to at least one of the first layer and the RFID tag, and wherein the spacing layer comprises a non-conducting dielectric material.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is a jacket capable of retrofitting the item, and wherein the item is a passport or a book.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the first layer is part of a binding of the item, and wherein the item is a book or a passport.

8. A method of attaching a RFID tag to a book or a passport, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a two-part RFID assembly having adhesives on its top and bottom sides wherein a first part of the assembly comprises an electrical conductive layer capable of disrupting a radio frequency transmission and further wherein a second part of the assembly comprises a RFID tag;

wherein the first and second parts are detachably coupled together;

opening the book or the passport;

adhering the assembly onto a page of the book or passport;

closing the book or passport to allow both the top and bottom sides of the assembly to adhere to the book or the passport; and

detaching the first pad from the second part by opening the book or the passport wherein the second part of the assembly further comprises a second electrical conductive layer positioned in parallel to the tag and a spacer positioned in parallel to the tag to minimize an effect of the second layer to the tag.