Non-reusable identification device

• US 20040189470A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bartronics Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: Proximities Incorporated (Bartronics India Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lerch, John W., Girvin, Joshua M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,042,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• 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:

a band;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of said band to fasten it 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 emitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder;

an electrically conductive continuous loop on said band extending from said transponder and forming an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of said band, said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer'"'"'s body part; and

circuitry in said transponder electrically connected to said loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable said transponder if said loop is broken.

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

3. 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 coating, wherein said peelable layer can be removed without damaging said surface layer and wherein said adhesive coating bonds to an opposite end of said band more strongly than said surface layer is bonded to said band.

4. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening 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.

5. The identification device of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of said holes 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 encircling each of said holes.

6. The identification device of claim 4, further comprising a portion of said frangible loop closely encircling said peg.

7. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said frangible loop runs along the edges of the band.

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

9. 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.

10. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said band is a bracelet.

11. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said band is a belt.

12. The identification device of claim 1, wherein said band is an anklet.

13. An identification device, comprising:

a band;

a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of said band to fasten it an article of apparel 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 emitting a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder;

an electrically conductive continuous loop on said band extending from said transponder and forming an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of said band, said loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the user'"'"'s article of apparel; and

circuitry in said transponder electrically connected to said loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable said transponder if said loop is broken.