RFID tag disabling systems and methods of use
First Claim
1. A device for disabling an RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle so that the transponder can be selectively manually disabled and enabled, the transponder comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry coupled to the antenna, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion and a handle coupled to said conductive portion, said conductive portion being arranged to be manually coupled to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry, said handle being arranged to be grasped to manually remove said conductive portion of said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon the RFID circuitry is automatically enabled.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for disabling transponders used in electronic toll collection or other RFID systems, wherein the transponders include an antenna and RFID circuitry. The transponders can be selectively disabled by releasably securing a disabling device having a metallic portion at an operative position over the antenna of the RFID system, whereupon the metallic portion is coupled to the antenna in such a manner as to disable the RFID circuitry so long as the disabling device is at the operative position. The RFID circuitry is arranged to be automatically enabled upon removal of the disabling device from the operative position.
45 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A device for disabling an RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle so that the transponder can be selectively manually disabled and enabled, the transponder comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry coupled to the antenna, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion and a handle coupled to said conductive portion, said conductive portion being arranged to be manually coupled to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry, said handle being arranged to be grasped to manually remove said conductive portion of said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon the RFID circuitry is automatically enabled.
- 6. A system for manually enabling and disabling an RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle so that said transponder can be selectively manually disabled and enabled, said system comprising said transponder and a disabling device, said transponder comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry coupled to said antenna, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion and a handle coupled to said conductive portion, said conductive portion being arranged to be manually coupled to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent said antenna and capacitively coupled to said antenna to short out said antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry, said handle being arranged to be grasped to manually remove said conductive portion of said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon said RFID circuitry is automatically enabled.
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11. A method of selectively disabling a RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle and which is used in an electronic toll system or some other electronic system wherein a vehicle with an RFID transponder is to be interrogated by a reader to determine the vehicle'"'"'s presence at a certain location, the transponder being arranged to provide a first electrical signal when queried by a transmitter forming a portion of the electronic system and comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry, said method comprising:
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providing the user of the system with a disabling device, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion and a handle coupled to said conductive portion; manually coupling said conductive portion of said disabling device to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry; and utilizing said handle, when desired, to remove said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon the RFID circuitry is automatically enabled. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A device for disabling an RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle so that the transponder can be selectively manually disabled and enabled, the transponder comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry coupled to the antenna, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion, a handle coupled to said conductive portion and an indicating portion for indicating the operative status of said disabling device, said conductive portion being arranged to be manually coupled to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry, said handle being arranged to be grasped to manually remove said conductive portion of said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon the RFID circuitry is automatically enabled, said indicating portion being visible through the windshield to provide a visual indication of whether the transponder is disabled or enabled.
- 19. A system for manually enabling and disabling an RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle so that said transponder can be selectively manually disabled and enabled, said system comprising said transponder and a disabling device, said transponder comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry coupled to the antenna, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion, a handle coupled to said conductive portion, and an indicating portion for indicating the operative status of said disabling device, said conductive portion being arranged to be manually coupled to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry, said handle being arranged to be grasped to manually remove said conductive portion of said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon said RFID circuitry is automatically enabled, said indicating portion being visible through the windshield to provide a visual indication of whether the transponder is disabled or enabled.
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22. A method of selectively disabling a RFID transponder secured to the windshield of a vehicle and which is used in an electronic toll system or some other electronic system wherein a vehicle with an RFID transponder is to be interrogated by a reader to determine the vehicle'"'"'s presence at a certain location, the transponder being arranged to provide a first electrical signal when queried by a transmitter forming a portion of the electronic system and comprising an antenna and RFID circuitry, said method comprising:
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providing the user of the system with a disabling device, said disabling device comprising a conductive portion, a handle coupled to said conductive portion and an indicating portion for indicating the operative status of said disabling device; manually coupling said conductive portion of said disabling device to said transponder in an operative position, whereupon said conductive portion is disposed immediately adjacent the antenna and capacitively coupled to the antenna to short out the antenna and thereby disable said RFID circuitry; utilizing said handle, when desired, to remove said disabling device from said operative position, whereupon the RFID circuitry is automatically enabled; and observing the disabling device through the windshield to determine whether the transponder is disabled or enabled.
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Specification