Identification band using serpentine paths to detect tampering

• US 7,579,950 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bartronics Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: Bartronics America, Inc. (Systems America Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mou, Peijen S., Lerch, John W, Norair, John P., Girvin, Joshua M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US11/541,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20080048865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.2, 340/568.4, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/573.4, 340/539.1, 340/539.31, 340/687, 406/33
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• 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: 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: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article

Abstract

A tamper-resistant RFID wristband that becomes permanently disabled upon tampering. The wristband includes a plurality of holes for snugly securing the band to a wearer, an RFID circuit, and an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band. The RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled to form a series circuit, severance of which disables the wristband. The electrically conductive loop includes a first layer and a second layer that are electrically isolated from one another, save for at least one electrical connection made preferably by a via at the end of the band distal from the antenna element. The first layer encircles the holes in a serpentine path on one layer of the band and the second layer encircles the holes in a complimentary serpentine path on a different layer of the band.

Claims

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

a band;

an RFID circuit that includes an RFID transponder chip and an antenna element disposed on the band;

an electrically conductive trace external to the RFID circuit and disposed on the band and electrically coupled to the RFID transponder chip and the antenna element, and also arranged to disable the RFID circuit when cut, wherein the conductive trace also overlaps itself at at least one overlap point; and

an insulating material disposed between the portions of the electrically conductive trace at the at least one overlap point.

2. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive trace is provided by a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion disposed on a first side of the band and the second portion disposed on a second side of the band.

3. The identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein a via through the band connects at least the first portion of the conductive trace to at least the second portion of the conductive trace.

4. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID transponder chip is disposed on an end of the band that is distal from the antenna element.

5. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive trace provides a series connection between the RFID transponder chip and the antenna element.

6. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna element is a coiled antenna.

7. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the band includes a series of holes along a length thereof.

8. The identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive trace is disposed along substantially the entire length of the band.

9. A tamper-resistant RFID band identification apparatus, comprising:

means for securing the apparatus to a wearer using a selected one of a plurality of holes formed therein to engage a locking peg; and

a disabling wire electrically coupled to an RFID circuit and encircling the holes such that the secured apparatus will necessarily be disabled if a slit is made between any two holes used to secure the apparatus to the wearer.

10. A tamper-resistant RFID band identification apparatus, comprising:

means for securing the apparatus to a wearer using a selected one of a plurality of holes formed therein to engage a locking peg; and

a disabling wire electrically coupled to an RFID circuit and encircling the holes such that the secured apparatus will necessarily be disabled if a substantially longitudinal slit is made between any two holes used to secure the apparatus to the wearer.