Non-reusable identification device

Abstract

A non-reusable tamper-resistant identification device, such as may be fastened around a limb of a user. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit is disposed in a band of material, such as is suitable for use as a wristband. The RFID circuit comprises an antenna and a transponder, disposed adjacent the antenna and cooperating therewith for emitting and receiving a wireless signal. An electrically conductive loop forms at least a portion of a connection between the antenna and the transponder. In addition, the electrically conductive loop forms a continuous conductive path along substantially the entire length of the band. The conductive loop is preferably frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer's limb.

1 . An identification apparatus comprising: 
 a band of material;    a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the band, the RFID circuit comprising: 
 an antenna; and  
 a transponder chip, disposed adjacent to the antenna and cooperating therewith for emitting and receiving a wireless signal; and  
   an electrically conductive loop directly connected to the antenna, the electrically conductive loop forming an electrically conductive continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a non-reusable tamper resistant fastening mechanism is used to join opposite end regions of the apparatus.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the non-reusable, tamper resistant fastening mechanism is an adhesive layer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the non-reusable, tamper resistant fastening mechanism comprises a hole formed in at least one end of the band and a barbed peg formed on the other end of the band, with the barbed peg arranged to pass through the hole and lock into a mating hole and shaped to resist removal from the mating hole.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the electrically conductive loop closely encircles the holes formed in the band.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the band such that the band may be adjustably fitted to a wrist by passing the peg through a selected one of the holes.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the electrically conductive loop closely encircles each one of the holes.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the electrically conductive loop closely encircles the peg.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive loop runs along at least two edges of the band.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the electrically conductive loop encircles each of the holes and the peg as a single conductive wire trace.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder chip and the antenna are located on the same integrated circuit.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID circuit is located on a portion of the band inboard of a respective one of the ends.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the electrically conductive loop extends as a continuous wire loop outward along the band to an opposite end thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is formed as a conductive coil.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the conductive coil antenna encircles the transponder chip.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive loop is frangible and easily broken.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder chip and antenna are located on a different substrate than the electrically conductive continuous path.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection provided by the electrically conductive loop is a series connection between the transponder chip and the antenna.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive loop is frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the apparatus from a wearer's limb.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder chip is arranged to become inoperative and disabled if the electrically conductive loop is broken.  
   
   
       21 . An identification apparatus comprising: 
 a band of material;    a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit disposed in the band, the RFID circuit comprising: 
 an antenna; and  
 a transponder chip, cooperating therewith for emitting and receiving a wireless signal; and  
   an electrically conductive loop directly connected to the antenna, the combination of the electrically conductive loop and the antenna spanning substantially the entire length of the band.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a non-reusable tamper resistant fastening mechanism is used to join opposite end regions of the apparatus.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the non-reusable, tamper resistant fastening mechanism is an adhesive layer.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the non-reusable, tamper resistant fastening mechanism comprises a hole formed in at least one end of the band and a barbed peg formed on the other end of the band, with the barbed peg arranged to pass through the hole and lock into a mating hole and shaped to resist removal from the mating hole.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the electrically conductive loop closely encircles the holes formed in the band.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the band such that the band may be adjustably fitted to a wrist by passing the peg through a selected one of the holes.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the electrically conductive loop closely encircles each one of the holes.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein a portion of the electrically conductive loop closely encircles the peg.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the electrically conductive loop runs along at least two edges of the band.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the electrically conductive loop encircles each of the holes and the peg as a single conductive wire trace.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the transponder chip and the antenna are located on the same integrated circuit.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the RFID circuit is located on a portion of the band inboard of a respective one of the ends.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the electrically conductive loop extends as a continuous wire loop outward along the band to an opposite end thereof.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the antenna is formed as a conductive coil.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the conductive coil antenna encircles the transponder chip.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the electrically conductive loop is frangible and easily broken.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the transponder chip and the antenna are located on a different substrate than the conductive loop.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the connection provided by the electrically conductive loop is a series connection between the transponder chip and the antenna.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the electrically conductive loop is frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the apparatus from a wearer's limb.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the transponder chip is arranged to become inoperative and disabled conductive if the electrically conductive loop is broken.