Smart card detectors

• US 7,936,265 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Inventors: DeKozan, Raymond, Macklin, Jon D., Roberts, Bruce D., Ravenis, Joseph V J, Bonneau, Walter C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/123,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/517, 340/521, 340/10.1, 340/385.1, 702/188, 702/30, 702/19, 73/310.5, 73/233.4, 73/530.5, 73/234, 235/380, 235/375, 235/382, 250/395, 250/473.1, 250/474.1, 250/336.1, 250/472.1
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/126 comprising organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor

Abstract

A smartcard or other media detects the presence of chemical, biological, radiation, and/or explosive (CBRE) compounds or other items of interest on individuals handling the smartcard or other media. The exposure is stored such that, when the card is presented to a reader, the detection data is transmitted to the reader for appropriate processing by the system. In one embodiment, this invention provides a detection methodology which captures the fact that the holder of the detection device has been in contact with an item of interest without external power. The detector card is then able to alert appropriate authorities of that exposure when the device is presented to a reader in the normal course of the holder'"'"'s business.

Claims

1. A detector card for recording exposure to an item of interest, the detector comprising:

a media;

an antenna for sending exposure information, wherein the antenna is embedded in the detector card;

a power source that inductively couples energy into the detector card;

an electronic circuit embedded in the media, wherein the electronic circuit is wirelessly readable; and

a material that reacts when exposed to the item of interest, wherein the electronic circuit can detect if the material has reacted.

2. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises molecularly imprinted polymer(s).

3. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises fluorescent quenching polymer(s).

4. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material is formed with a detection polymer(s) and a conducting polymer(s).

5. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a plurality of layers conjunctively formed with detection polymer(s) and conductive polymer(s).

6. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a plurality of layers of an amalgamated polymer formed with a detection polymer(s) and a conductive polymer(s).

7. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a plurality of layers conjunctively formed with a detection polymer(s), a conductive polymer and nanotechnology.

8. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprises a plurality of layers of an amalgamated polymer formed with a detection polymer(s), a conductive polymer(s) and nanotechnology combination.

9. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material is applied in an ink form to the media.

10. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second material that reacts when exposed to a second item of interest, wherein the electronic circuit can detect if the second material has reacted.

11. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the material is reactive to a chemical, a biologic compound, radiation, and/or an explosive.

12. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein a state of the material after reaction is not visible to the unaided human eye.

13. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the detector card is a wireless smartcard.

14. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, wherein the detector card is a contact smartcard.

15. The detector card for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery that aids the material in sensing the item of interest.

16. A detection media for recording exposure to an item of interest, the detection media comprising:

a media;

an antenna for sending exposure information;

a power source at least partially powered wirelessly using induction;

an electronic circuit embedded in the media, wherein the electronic circuit is wirelessly readable; and

a sensor that reacts when exposed to the item of interest, wherein the electronic circuit can determine if the sensor has reacted and relay exposure information.

17. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the power source comprises a coil that inductively couples power to the electronic circuit.

18. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the sensor includes a polymer that transitions to different state when exposed to the item of interest.

19. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the sensor is powered when sensing for the item of interest.

20. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a material that reacts without requiring power to the sensor.

21. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the power source comprises a battery that couples power to the sensor.

22. The detection media for recording exposure to the item of interest as recited in claim 16, wherein the antenna is embedded in the media.

23. A method for detecting items of interest with a detection media, the method including steps of:

sensing exposure to an item of interest to create exposure information;

storing the exposure information;

powering an electronic circuit of the detection media without a wired power source using induction; and

wirelessly reading the exposure information from the detection media.

24. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the storing step comprises a step of storing with a reactive polymer.

25. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the storing step comprises a step of storing with electronic memory.

26. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the sensing step is performed without use of any power from the detection media.

27. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the sensing step uses a battery power source.

28. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the powering step comprises a step of receiving energy inductively.

29. The method for detecting items of interest with the detection media as recited in claim 23, wherein the powering step comprises a step of receiving energy from a battery.