Non-reusable identification device

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 and antenna are attached to the band, so that they are 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 couples to the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band. The conductive loop also serves as an extension of antenna, so that the transponder is thus arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.

1 . A wristband mounted identification apparatus comprising: 
 a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit comprising: 
 a transponder chip for receiving and generating signals; and  
 an antenna;  
   wherein the apparatus further comprises a continuous conductive path disposed along a length of the wristband, the continuous conductive path serving as an extension of the antenna.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous conductive path is an electrically conductive frangible loop.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous conductive path extends in a direction away from the antenna.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous conductive path extends along substantially the entire length of the wristband.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-reusable tamper resistant fastening mechanism for joining opposite end regions of the wristband.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the non-reusable tamper resistant fastening mechanism is an adhesive layer.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the non-reusable tamper resistant fastening mechanism comprises a hole formed in at least one end of the wristband and a barbed peg formed on the other end of the wristband, 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.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the wristband such that the wristband may be adjustably fitted to a wrist by passing the peg through a selected one of the holes.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the continuous conductive path closely encircles each one of the holes.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of said continuous conductive path closely encircles the peg.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the continuous conductive path closely encircles each of the holes and the peg as a single conductive path.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous conductive path runs along at least two parallel edges of the wristband.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous conductive path runs along an edge region of each of two ends of the wristband.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is located within the transponder chip.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID circuit is located on a portion of the wristband inboard of a respective one of the ends.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is formed as a conductive coil.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the conductive coil encircles the transponder chip.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transponder chip is electrically connected to the electrically conductive path in such a way as to become inoperative and disable the transponder chip if the continuous conductive path is broken.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna and the antenna extension span substantially the entire length of the wristband.