Identification band using a conductive fastening for enhanced security and functionality

• US 7,535,356 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bartronics Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: Bartronics America, Inc. (Systems America Incorporated)
• Inventors: Norair, John P., Lerch, John W., Girvin, Joshua M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/291,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20070120687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.4, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 3405727-5729, 340/573.1, 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• 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: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article

Abstract

An identification device formed from a band of material and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder is disposed in the band. The transponder includes and RFID circuit, such as may be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an antenna. In the present invention, the tamper-resistant fastening serves additional functions beyond securing the opposite end regions of the band together. Namely, the fastening can be made of a conductive material and designed to create electrical continuity between multiple conductors to enable or disable certain circuit functionality. In one variation, this continuity allows the excess tail portion of the wristband to be cut without disrupting circuit functionality. In another variation, the fastening mechanism is designed to crimp conductors together. In yet another embodiment, the RFID circuit itself is wholly or partially formed within the fastening mechanism to increase the better protect and support the circuit, as well as to make it more difficult to defeat the tamper-resistant functionality of the device.

Claims

1. An identification apparatus, comprising:

a band with a plurality of adjustment holes;

an RFID transponder, comprised of an RFID circuit and an antenna disposed on the band;

two conductive paths disposed on opposing surfaces of the band, at least one layer of the band electrically insulating the two conductive paths from each other, each conductive path running longitudinally and substantially a length of the band and parallel to the adjustment holes, a first end of each conductive path connected to the RFID circuit and a second end of each conductive path electrically open; and

a fastening mechanism for joining the band in a closed loop at one of the plurality of adjustment holes; and

said fastening mechanism including at least two elements configured to pierce the at least one layer of the band proximate to the one of the plurality of adjustment holes and crimp the two conductive paths into an electrically closed path, thereby creating electrical continuity on the band at a selected one of the plurality of adjustment holes for enabling the RFID circuit when said fastening mechanism joins said band in the closed loop.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism is electrically isolated from the RFID transponder until said fastening mechanism joins said band in a closed loop.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an excess band portion can be removed once the fastening mechanism has been engaged without disabling transponder functionality.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one conductor operatively coupled to said RFID transponder, the fastening mechanism being adapted to tear at least one conductor when disengaged.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each element includes a respective electrical contact point such that the RFID transponder ceases to function when said respective electrical contact points are out of contact with each other.