Container including a tamper-resistant seal and radio frequency identification seal

• US 20080266109A1
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solbyung Coveley
• Original Assignee: Solbyung Coveley
• Inventors: Coveley, Michael E., Milutinovic, Srdjan, Huang, Yuping
• Granted Patent: US 8,063,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• 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 19/07798 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 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

A radio frequency identification seal comprises an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion and an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna. The RFID tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a container body; and

a seal on at least a portion of the container body;

wherein the seal includes;

an antenna; and

a tag tuned to the antenna;

wherein the tag becomes detuned when the antenna is compromised during opening of the container.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

3. The container to of claim 2, wherein the tag resonates in response to the scanning signal when tuned to the antenna and outputs a code unique to the tag.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes:

a main antenna portion; and

one or more break-away portions coupled to the main antenna portion;

wherein at least one of the one or more break-away portions separating from the main antenna portion when the container is compromised results in the tag becoming detuned from the antenna.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more break-away portions is coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time contacts.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the main antenna portion is provided on a door of the container, and

wherein at least one of the one or more break-away portions is provided on a doorjamb of the container.

8. The container of claim 6, comprising:

a plurality of break-away portions at spaced locations along the antenna.

9. The container of claim 6, wherein the main antenna portion is provided on a door of the container, and

wherein at least one of the one or more break-away portions is provided on a doorjamb of the container.

10. The container of claim 7, wherein at least one other of the one or more break-away portions is provided adjacent a lock on the door.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the tag and antenna are disposed on a substrate secured to the container.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the substrate is adhered to the container.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the tag resonates in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

18. The container of claim 1, wherein the tag outputs a code unique to the tag.

19. The container of claim 1, wherein the tag resonates in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna and outputs a code unique to the tag.

20. The container of claim 2, wherein the tag resonates in response to the scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

13. A radio frequency identification (RFID) seal, comprising:

an antenna; and

an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna;

wherein the antenna includes;

a main antenna portion; and

at least one break-away portion; and

wherein the RFID tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

14. The RFID seal of claim 13, wherein the RFID tag outputs a unique code in response to the scanning signal.

15. The RFID seal of claim 13, wherein the at least one break-away portion is coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time contacts.

16. The RFID seal of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of break-away portions.