PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA CONTAINED ON AN RFID-ENABLED DEVICE

• US 20170255798A1
• Filed: 02/28/2017
• Published: 09/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Carey
• Original Assignee: James Carey
• Inventors: Carey, James
• Granted Patent: US 10,073,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07309 Means for preventing undesired reading or writing from or onto record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07318 by hindering electromagnetic reading or writing jamming of communication, counter-measures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10257 arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks computer security in general G06F21/00; jamming of communication, countermeasures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10267 the arrangement comprising a circuit inside of the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/20 for contactless carriers, e.g. RFID carriers record carriers with integrated circuit chips including means for preventing undesired reading or writing from or to record carriers by hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07318; arrangements for sensing record carriers including arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks G06K7/10257
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/86 related to preventing deceptive jamming or unauthorized interrogation or access, e.g. WLAN access or RFID reading record carriers with integrated circuit chips including means for preventing undesired reading or writing from or to record carriers by hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07318; arrangements for sensing record carriers including arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks G06K7/10257

Abstract

A system for protecting personal data contained on an RFID-enabled device, suitable for use with an RFID system including an RFID reader configured to extract information from an RFID chip associated with the RFID-enabled device, includes a personal data protection system including a personal data protection device configured to prevent reading of the RFID chip associated with an RFID-enabled personal item.

Claims

1. A system for protecting personal data contained on an RFID-enabled device, the system for use with an RFID system including an RFID reader configured to extract information from an RFID chip associated with the RFID-enabled device, the system comprising:

a personal data protection system including a personal data protection device configured to prevent reading of the RFID chip associated with an RFID-enabled personal item.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal data protection device is selectively switchable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation through actuation of a user-actuatable switch.

3. A method of protecting personal data, the method comprising:

providing a personal data protection device configured to detect a carrier signal of an RFID reader and, in response thereto, to prevent reading of an RFID chip associated with an RFID-enabled personal item;

if it is determined that the carrier signal of an RFID reader has been detected, then activating the personal data protection device; and

upon activation of the personal data protection device, emitting one or more signals configured to prevent reading of the RFID chip associated with the RFID-enabled personal item.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

upon activation of the personal data protection device, identifying one or more potential sources of the carrier signal.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

electronically tagging the one or more potential sources of the carrier signal.

6. A method of protecting personal data, the method including:

providing a holder having a pocket configured to receive an RFID-enabled personal item therein and configured to transmit an alert signal when the RFID-enabled personal item is removed from the pocket, the holder including a sensor and a resilient biasing member configured to bias the RFID-enabled personal item against the sensor such that removal of the RFID-enabled personal item from the pocket causes the sensor to transmit the alert signal; and

if it is determined that the alert signal has been transmitted, automatically activating a personal data protection device configured to prevent reading of an RFID chip associated with the RFID-enabled personal item within a predetermined range of the personal data protection device.