Non-reusable identification device

• US 20040257229A1
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• 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 7,323,998 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. A non-reusable identification apparatus comprising:

an attachment, for fastening the identification apparatus to a user;

an identification device, for providing identification information; and

a disabling device, for permanently disabling the identification device after the apparatus is first removed from the user.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the attachment further comprises:

a band of material for attaching the identification apparatus to a body part portion of a user.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the attachment further comprises:

a band of material having a strip of adhesive on at least one end thereof, the adhesive being used to bond to an opposite end of the band when fastened to the body part of the user.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the attachment further comprises:

a band of material having hole formed in one end thereof and a barbed peg on another end thereof, the barbed peg arranged to pass through the hole and lock into a mating hole when attached to the body part of the user.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the identification device further comprises:

a strip of material carrying the identification information in printed form.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the identification device further comprises:

a transponder circuit arranged to receive a wireless signal, and in response thereto, to emit a wireless signal representative of the identification information.

7. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein

at least a portion of the identification device is located adjacent the adhesive material when the identification device is attached to the user, such that when the band is removed from the user by separating the adhesive bond, the identification device is in turn at least partially destroyed.

8. An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the disabling device further comprises:

a device for causing disablement of the transponder circuit upon removal of the apparatus from the user.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the disabling device further comprises:

a device for causing a break in electrical continuity of the components of the transponder circuit.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the identification device further comprises:

an electrically conductive loop used as an antenna.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the disabling device serves to disconnect the transponder circuit from the antenna upon first removal of the apparatus from the user.

12. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the disabling device serves to destroy at least a portion of the antenna.

13. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the attachment further comprises a band of material which is fastened around a body part of a user, and an electrically conductive wire loop is disposed in the band of material.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the disabling device causes a break in the wire loop when the band of material is broken.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the band of material has one or more holes formed along a length thereof and the electrically conductive wire loop encircles the holes.

16. An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein

the attachment further comprises a band having a strip of adhesive material on at least one end thereof, the adhesive material being used to bond to an opposite end of the band when fastened around a portion of a body part of the user;

and

wherein at least a portion of the transponder circuit is located adjacent the adhesive material, such that when the band is removed from the user by separating the adhesive bond, the transponder circuit is at least in part destroyed.

17. A method for operating a non-reusable identification apparatus comprising:

attaching the identification apparatus to a user;

providing identification information as part of the identification apparatus at least when initially attached to the user; and

preventing the apparatus from providing the identification information one the apparatus is first removed from the user.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein the attaching step further comprises:

attaching a band of material to a body part portion of a user.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein the attaching step further comprises:

attaching the band of material using a strip of adhesive formed on at least one end thereof, such that the adhesive bonds to an opposite end of the band when fastened to the body part of the user.

20. A method as in claim 17 wherein the attaching step further comprises:

attaching the band of material using hole formed in one end thereof and a barbed peg on another end thereof, the barbed peg passing through the hole and lock into a mating hole.

21. A method as in claim 17 wherein the step pf providing identification information further comprises:

providing a strip of material carrying the identification information in printed form on the apparatus.

22. A method as in claim 17 wherein the step of providing identification information further comprises:

operating a transponder circuit to receive a wireless signal, and in response thereto, to emit a wireless signal representative of the identification information.

23. A method as in claim 18 wherein

at least a portion of the identification device is located adjacent the adhesive material when the identification device is attached to the user, such that when the band is removed from the user by separating the adhesive bond, the identification device is in turn at least partially destroyed.

24. A method as in claim 17 wherein the step of disabling comprises:

disabling of the transponder circuit upon removal of the apparatus from the user.

25. A method as in claim 24 wherein the step of disabling further comprises:

causing a break in electrical continuity of the components of the transponder circuit.

26. A method as in claim 22 wherein the step of identifying further comprises:

operating an electrically conductive wire loop as an antenna.

27. A method as in claim 26 wherein the disabling step disconnects the transponder circuit from the antenna upon first removal of the apparatus from the user.

28. A method as in claim 26 wherein the disabling step destroys at least a portion of the antenna.

29. A method as in claim 26 wherein the attachment step further comprises fastening a band of material around a body part of a user, wherein the band of material includes an electrically conductive wire loop.

30. A method as in claim 29 wherein the disabling step breaks the wire loop when the band of material is broken.

31. A method as in claim 29 wherein the band of material has one or more holes formed along a length thereof and the electrically conductive wire loop encircles the holes.

32. A method as in claim 22 wherein

the attachment step further comprises fastening a band having a strip of adhesive material on at least one end thereof to a body part of the user, the adhesive material being used to bond to an opposite end of the band;

and

wherein the disabling step is further provided by locating at least a portion of the transponder circuit adjacent the adhesive material, such that when the band is removed from the user by separating the adhesive bond, the transponder circuit is at least in part destroyed.