Shielded retail packaging for transponder

Abstract

A retail package for an activated transponder that prevents the transponder from receiving or responding to interrogation signals from a reader as the packaged transponder is shipped to retail outlets or while the packaged transponder in the possession of a retail purchaser but prior to the purchaser's intended use. The retail packaging includes shielding material to attenuate RF transmission sufficiently to prevent the accidental occurrence of a transaction, such as a electronic vehicle toll transaction. Once the transponder is removed from the packaging it may function normally.

1 . A retail package for a radio frequency (RF) transponder comprising: 
 a plastic package including a front half and a back half connected by an integral hinge along one side, the front half including a product bubble for containing the transponder; and    a shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of the transponder,    wherein the shielding material attenuates RF signals to prevent the transponder from communicating with remote readers.    
   
   
       2 . The retail package claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said shielding material comprises front shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of the product bubble and back shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of the back half of the plastic package.  
   
   
       3 . The retail package claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said product bubble includes forward extending walls and a front face and wherein said front shielding material is disposed to cover said front face.  
   
   
       4 . The retail package claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said front shielding material includes a cutout portion to expose a portion of said front face.  
   
   
       5 . The retail package claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the transponder includes a front face and wherein said front shielding material comprises a metalized material formed as a cap to fit over said front face.  
   
   
       6 . The retail package claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the retail package further includes a product information card disposed between the front half and the back half, said product information card including said back shielding material.  
   
   
       7 . The retail package claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said shielding material comprises a metal alloy.  
   
   
       8 . The retail package claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said metal alloy comprises an aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       9 . The retail package claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said shielding material further comprises a substrate.  
   
   
       10 . The retail package claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said substrate comprises paper.  
   
   
       11 . The retail package claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said metal alloy is laminated on said substrate.  
   
   
       12 . The retail package claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said shielding material includes an adhesive and wherein said shielding material is applied to said plastic package.  
   
   
       13 . The retail package claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said shielding material is applied to the exterior of said product bubble.  
   
   
       14 . The retail package claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the front half of said plastic package further includes at least one rib proximate a side of the product bubble, said rib projecting towards said back half when said plastic package is in a closed configuration, and whereby said at least one inward rib prevents a product insert from sliding out of the product bubble.  
   
   
       15 . The retail package claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the product bubble includes a top side wall and a bottom side wall, and wherein said at least one rib comprises an upper rib disposed proximate said top side wall and a bottom rib disposed proximate said bottom side wall.  
   
   
       16 . The retail package claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said at least one rib comprises a projection having an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       17 . A packaged transponder for use in electronic payment transactions, comprising: 
 a transponder for engaging in RF communications with remote readers to conduct electronic payment transactions;    a plastic package including a front half and a back half connected by an integral hinge along one side, the front half including a product bubble for containing said transponder; and    a shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of said transponder,    wherein the shielding material attenuates RF signals to prevent said transponder from communicating with said remote readers.    
   
   
       18 . The packaged transponder claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said shielding material comprises front shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of the product bubble and back shielding material disposed to cover at least a portion of the back half of the plastic package.  
   
   
       19 . The packaged transponder claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said transponder includes a front face and wherein said front shielding material comprises a metalized material formed as a cap to fit over said front face.  
   
   
       20 . The packaged transponder claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said shielding material comprises a metal alloy and a substrate material.