Flexible scanner resistant device emulating a banknote for protection of rfid cards

Abstract

A device for protecting one or more credit or charge cards from radio frequency scanning is disclosed. The device comprises a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of a personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising:
 a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within a banknote slot of a personal carrying accessory,   wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information,   wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the planar element is substantially 2 and ⅞ inch, by 7 and ¾ inch. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the middle layer comprises a dielectric material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the middle layer comprises a metal alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the middle layer comprises a laminated metal. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the middle layer comprises any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the plastic material comprises PVC plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the middle layer comprises a layer of uncharged conductive material that is disposed between the top and bottom layers. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the top layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film. 
     
     
         11 . A method for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising:
 placing a first rectangular-shaped planar element within a banknote slot of a personal carrying case such that the first planar element is located substantially around one or more cards within the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is sized for fitting within a banknote slot of the personal carrying case, wherein the planar element is substantially from about 7 and ¾ inches in length, to about 2 and ⅞ in width, and wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the middle layer comprises a dielectric material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the middle layer comprises a metal alloy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the middle layer comprises a laminated metal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the middle layer comprises any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or stainless steel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plastic material comprises PVC plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the top layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom layer comprises a clear oriented polyester film. 
     
     
         19 . A system for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card, comprising:
 a personal carrying case comprising a plurality of card slots for inserting cards and a banknote slot for inserting banknotes;   at least one card including information that may be scanned via a radio frequency scanner, wherein said at least one card is inserted into the plurality of card slots;   a rectangular-shaped planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of the personal carrying accessory, wherein the planar element is composed of a top layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, a middle layer of a metallic foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and a bottom layer of plastic material having an interior surface including printed information, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer of plastic material completely cover a surface area of both sides of the middle layer, and wherein the device has a thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness substantially equal to paper.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one card is substantially surrounded by the rectangular-shaped planar element within the personal carrying case.