U.S. patent application number 11/382070 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-21 for lining for blocking wi-fi, ultra-sound, laser, vhf, uhf, blue tooth, and rfld tag signal.
Invention is credited to Charles Donald Boldin.
Application Number | 20100263179 11/382070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42979863 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100263179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boldin; Charles Donald |
October 21, 2010 |
LINING FOR BLOCKING WI-FI, ULTRA-SOUND, LASER, VHF, UHF, BLUE
TOOTH, AND RFlD TAG SIGNAL
Abstract
A method of blocking the signal of an RFID tag from being read
without consent or knowledge of the owner. A lining or cloth is
first made of non-magnetic material containing non-magnetic metal
in such concentration as is capable of blocking or attenuating
transmission of a signal to or from said Radio Frequency
Identification Tag. The lining or cloth is then incorporated into
an article of manufacture wherein the article may be used to hold a
Radio Frequency identification Tag. Lining for Blocking RFID Tag
Signal Making a cloth or lining of non-magnetic material containing
non-magnetic metal in such concentration as is capable of blocking
or attenuating transmission of a signal to or from a Radio
Frequency Identification tag; and incorporating the cloth or lining
into an article of manufacture wherein the article may be used to
block or attenuate a signal to or from a Radio Frequency
Identification Tag.
Inventors: |
Boldin; Charles Donald;
(Oxford, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles D. Boldin
124 N. Baldwin Rd.
Oxford
MI
48371
US
|
Family ID: |
42979863 |
Appl. No.: |
11/382070 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
28/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04H 1/42 20130101; D04H
1/4234 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
28/100 |
International
Class: |
D04H 3/00 20060101
D04H003/00 |
Claims
1. A process for blocking the signal of a Radio Frequency
identification tag comprising the steps of, making a lining or
thread and cloth of non-magnetic material containing non-magnetic
metal in such concentration as is capable of blocking or
attenuating transmission of a signal to or from said Radio
Frequency identification tag; and incorporating said lining or
thread and cloth into an article of manufacture wherein the article
may be used to hold a Radio Frequency identification tag within it.
A. Wherein said non-magnetic metal is selected from a group
consisting of aluminum, copper, gold, silver, chromium, carbon
nanotubes, and platinum. B. Wherein said lining or thread and cloth
does not substantially affect the ability of the article to bend or
fold in its intended use and wherein said bending and folding does
not alter the ability of said lining or thread and cloth to
attenuate or block said signal. C. Wherein said lining or thread
and cloth is incorporated in said article of manufacture in such a
manner that it is not visible without deconstructing the article of
manufacture. D. Wherein said non-magnetic material is in the form
of a foil. E. Wherein said article of manufacture is selected from
a group consisting of a bags, backpacks, bags, boxes, briefcases,
cases, clothing, envelopes, handbags, labels, money belts, night
deposit bags, passport cases, patches, pockets, purses, sleeves and
wallets. F. Wherein said non-magnetic metal is a compound comprised
of molecules containing one or more non-magnetic metal atoms.
2. A process for blocking the signal of a Radio Frequency
identification Device comprising the steps of, making a lining of
thread, cloth, plastic, gel, aerosol, paint, or glue with
non-magnetic metals uniformly distributed or embedded therein in
such concentration as is capable of blocking or attenuating
transmission of a signal to or from a Radio Frequency
identifications tag; and incorporating said lining or thread and
cloth into an article of manufacture wherein the article may be
used to hold a Radio Frequency identification tag within it. A.
Wherein the lining or thread and cloth is integrated into the
manufacture of, the article such that it is unrecognizable as a
lining and is indistinguishable from the components of the article.
B. Wherein the lining is incorporated into a cover for ground fault
outlets that prevents an RFID reader from triggering the ground
fault.
3. A process for blocking the signal of a Radio Frequency
identification Device comprising the steps of, making a patch
comprised of a ceramic, plastic, gel, aerosol, paint, or glue with
non-magnetic metals uniformly distributed or embedded therein in
such concentration as is capable of blocking or attenuating
transmission of a signal to or from a Radio Frequency
identification tag; and applying an adhesive to one side of said
patch, wherein said adhesive is capable of adhering the patch to a
Radio Frequency identification tag. A. Wherein said adhesive is
made of acryl ate copolymer microspheres.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] It provides a method of blocking or attenuating the
electromagnetic signal of a Radio Frequency identification Tagging.
It provides a method of blocking or attenuating the electromagnetic
signal of a Radio Frequency Identification Tag, also known as
automatic identification tag, anti-skimming tag, spy tag, and a
RFID tag, to prevent it from being read without the consent or
knowledge of the owner.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0002] RFID tags may be placed in, or attached to, about any item
imaginable. The RFID tags are relatively inexpensive and can be
made the size of a grain of rice or paper thin. The purpose of the
tags is to store information on the microchip and then when the
information is needed the chip instantly responds to an
interrogating radio frequency signal by sending its information via
radio wave, wi-fi wave, ultra-sound wave, blue tooth wave, LASER
wave,
[0003] VHF or UHF wave to the interrogating reader, or receiving
device.
[0004] The RFID tag may be active or passive. Active RFID tags may
be powered by a solar or an internal battery which allows the RFID
tag to send its information once activated. Activation can occur at
a predetermined time or by an interrogation signal from a RFID
reader. Active RFID tags can have a read range distance of tens of
meters up to several hundred meters. Passive RFID tags can be
activated without a battery by passing the tag through a magnetic
field to induce a current in an internal coil and produce a radio
signal from the tag. Passive RFID tags have a measuring distance of
less than a meter to tens of meters.
[0005] RFID tags can be used in automobiles, bank ATM cards,
building access cards, cargo containers, credit cards, currency,
driver's licenses, inventory items, equipment items, livestock,
individuals, mailing containers, and other commercial products.
RFID tags will be used to store large amounts of data and these
devices will be used on every item that can be identified by name,
bar code, serial number, social security number, account number and
is to be transported, stored, sold, consumed, or tracked. A major
problem with the RFID tag is that it could be commanded to send its
information without the owner's consent or knowledge. This could
release sensitive information that could potentially harm the owner
if it was obtained by someone that was not authorized. The RFID tag
could expose that the owner is in possession of certain items that
he wishes to remain private.
[0006] The present invention is to prevent unauthorized, unknowing
and unconsented access to RFID tag information. An important
feature of this invention is that it is concealed in everyday use
items, which are used for purposes other than shielding an RFID
device. These everyday items can be backpacks, bags, boxes,
briefcases, cases, envelopes, handbags, money belts, night deposit
bags, passport cases, patches, pockets, purses, sleeves and
wallets, whose main purpose was not to shield the RFID tag. This
invention has now made it possible for these items to block or
prevent a RFID tag from being read. This is a low cost and
invisible means to prevent the RFID tag from allowing unauthorized
communication.
[0007] Prior art of shielding RFID signals involves the use of
magnetic metals. U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,544 (2000) represents the
culmination of this prior art. The '544 patent discloses an
electromagnetic shield made of soft magnetic alloy with a very high
initial and maximum magnetic permeability, which has been fully
hydrogen annealed to develop optimum magnetic shielding properties.
The use of magnetic shielding materials disclosed in the '544
patent was well known to permit the intrinsic electrical
conductivity of the magnetic shielding material to sufficiently
simulate a Faraday cage. Materials representative of the type
disclosed in the '544 patent are high nickel content metal
shielding foils commonly made of Permalloy or Mu-Metal.
[0008] The use of magnetic shielding material is similarly taught
in related shielding fields. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,810
teaches that a magnetic shield for an optical gyroscope is assessed
to be the most effective method to reduce the bias sensitivity is
the addition of a magnetically shielding structure.
[0009] Unlike `the prior art disclosed in the '544 patent and other
similar protection devices, the present invention does not utilize
magnetic shielding material.
[0010] An RFID shield can be effective against an active RFID tag
or a passive RFID tag, if it can prevent an activating signal from
reaching the RFID tag, or if it can contain the radio signal once
emitted from an RFID tag. The present invention accomplishes both
of these shielding methods. It prevents an activating signal from
reaching the RFID tag so that the passive RFID tag never produces a
radio frequency signal. In the event that an RFID tag is programmed
to transmit a signal at a predetermined point without an
interrogating signal, then the invention would prevent that signal
from reaching the reader. Even if the shield in this invention were
to couple with such an active RFID tag, the invention would
significantly attenuate any such secondary signal so as to make it
very difficult to read the RFID tag.
[0011] The '544 patent is also typical of prior art wherein the
shielding material is integrated into containers dedicated only to
shielding a particular-size and shape RFID device. This is
representative of the prior art wherein the use of welded can or
shield which is fixed-in-place above a circuit to be protected.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,663 (2003) is a typical example of such a
shielding can for mounting on a printed circuit board.
[0012] United States patent application 20040223481 (2001)
discloses a method and apparatus for selective blocking of radio
frequency identification devices by generating an erroneous radio
frequency response in answering an interrogation request from a
reader, which thereupon prevents the reader from determining at
least a portion of the identifier of an RFID device. `This
application employs a different device and process, but is relevant
because it teaches away from the present invention because only
pre-designed containers are thought adequate. It does not envision
the present invention of fabricating protection within common,
everyday articles, but rather describes the problem as being
current technologies inadequacy to shield the "vast range of
objects, including clothing and inventory, that cannot be placed
conveniently in containers." By fabricating the shield within
ordinary, everyday items, such as for example shopping bags, the
present invention provides an RFID shield capable of easily
shielding the "vast range of objects" described in the '481 patent
application.
[0013] International application PCT/US01/06410 discloses a method
of manufacturing an electromagnetic interference shielding. While
this invention is for other than an RFID device, this patent
application teaches that effective shielding is difficult to attain
because discontinuities in shielding enclosures can lead to
secondary transmission of the signal from the gap edges. While, the
subject invention may not have 100% containment in all
circumstances, it is important to understand that the invention
does not have to be a fully enclosed containment shield surrounding
the RFID device in order to interrupt or attenuate the signal
either to or from an RFID tag. Significant attenuation of an
interrogating signal or a responding RFID signal will occur with
less than complete containment of the RFID tag.
[0014] The materials used in the present invention are housed
within other everyday articles so that inadvertent RFID antenna
coupling by physical contact is highly improbable. `The invention
solves the problem of inadvertent direct contact antenna coupling
to the shield because cloth, leather, plastic, paper, cardboard,
etc. used in the method of the invention, prevent the lining or
shield from touching the RFID tag and acting as an antenna. Unlike
other types of potential shields, this invention provides
flexibility in its ability to shield one or more tagged products of
varying size without changing the design of the shield, or
substantially changing the design of the products.
[0015] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present
invention are: [0016] (A) to provide a convenient, safe, easily
used and economical method for attenuating or blocking signals to
or from a Radio Frequency Identification tag; [0017] (B) to provide
a process that precludes reading the data, identity, assets, money,
inventory, etc., [0018] (C) to provide an invention that permits
reading the data, identity, assets, money inventory, etc., marked
with a Radio Frequency identification tag after obtaining the
individuals permission or authorization; and, [0019] (D) to provide
a method that prevents the theft of ones identity or knowledge of
ones personal items without authorization.
[0020] It is, therefore apparent that a need exists for a simple,
cost effective, and consumer friendly method of defeating
unauthorized reading of RFID tags on multi-varied items, while
preserving legitimate and authorized RFID tag interrogations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A process for blocking any Radio Frequency identification
(RFID) tag, comprising making a lining of non-magnetic material
containing non-magnetic metal in such concentration capable of
blocking or attenuating transmission of a signal by radio, LASER,
ultra-sound, wi-fi, blue tooth, UHF, VHF to or from said Radio
Frequency Identification tag and incorporating said lining into an
article of manufacture wherein, the article may be used to hold a
Radio Frequency identification tag.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows the process steps in a embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 describes a process for blocking an RFID tag signal.
The process comprises two steps. The first step (I 0) is making a
lining of non-magnetic material containing non-magnetic metal in
such concentration capable of blocking or attenuating transmission
of a signal to or from said Radio Frequency Identification tag. The
second step (20) is incorporating said lining into an article of
manufacture wherein the article may be used to hold a radio
frequency identification tag.
[0024] The typical non-magnetic metals are aluminum, copper, gold,
silver, platinum, chromium, nano-carbon tubes and compounds
containing these and other non-magnetic metals. Other embodiments
of the method may use a paint, cloth, thread, gel, aerosol,
nano-particle or ceramic with any combination of non-magnetic
metals in particulate form, embedded within. Typical application of
the invention include lining within manufactured articles such as
backpacks, bags, boxes, briefcases, cases, envelopes, handbags,
money belts, night deposit bags, passport cases, patches, purses,
sleeves, and wallets. In use, the lining prevents the Radio
Frequency Identification Tag from receiving a readable
interrogation signal. It also prevents a readable signal emitted
from an RFID from reaching to an RFID reader.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the non-magnetic material is in
such form, such as a foil, as to be flexible to maintain integrity
in repeated use by bending or folding. Preferably, the lining is
incorporated within the article of manufacture so that it is not
visible without deconstructing the article.
[0026] In the alternative embodiments, other non-magnetic material
may be used in combination with one or more non-magnetic metals or
compounds thereof. Other non-magnetic materials include, but are
not limited to, any combination of non-magnetic metals any cloth,
thread, ceramic, plastic, aerosol, gel, nano-particle, or paint
with non-magnetic metals uniformly distributed or embedded therein
at such concentrations so as to attenuate or block transmission of
an RFID signal when covering a Radio Frequency Identification
Tag.
[0027] Illustrative examples of non-magnetic metals used in the
invention are aluminum, copper, gold, silver, chromium, carbon
nano-tubes, and platinum. Other non-magnetic materials used in the
invention are any non-magnetic compounds or molecules containing
one or more non-magnetic metal atoms. Other such non-magnetic
metals, non-magnetic compounds containing one or more non magnetic
metal atoms, and combinations thereof, will be known to those
skilled in the art.
[0028] In accordance with the process of the invention, the
materials with any non-magnetic metal embedded or distributed
therein are then incorporated into the manufacture of said article.
For illustrative purposes, some examples of articles are locking
night deposit bags, backpacks, bags, boxes, briefcases, cases,
envelopes, handbags, money belts, night deposit bags, passport
cases, patches, pockets, purses, sleeves, and wallets.
[0029] Another embodiment of the invention is a patch made of a
material of the invention and having an adhesive backing. The
preferred embodiment would have an adhesive of acrylate copolymer
microspheres to allow the patch to temporarily adhere to the Radio
Frequency Identification Tag to block the signal and later be
removed by the user to permit reading by a Radio Frequency
Identification reader.
[0030] Another embodiment of the invention is a protective sleeve
lined with or made with a material of the invention, said sleeve to
subsequently be capable of shielding one or more items having an
RFID tag. Sleeves of this design are typically made for protection
of an item against damage, e.g. a compact disk sleeve. While such
sleeves are regularly made for a host of consumer items,
manufacturing them with the materials of the invention would add
protection against unauthorized reading of any Radio Frequency
identification tag on the item in the sleeve.
[0031] Another embodiment of the invention is an envelope used for
mailing letters and other items lined with or made with a material
of the invention.
[0032] Another embodiment of the invention is a pocket in clothing,
e.g., jackets and pants lined with or made with a material of the
invention.
[0033] Another embodiment of the invention is a cover for ground
fault electrical outlets that prevents the RFID reader 1scanner
from triggering the ground fault outlet.
[0034] From the description of the illustrative embodiments of the
invention will prevent a Radio Frequency identification tag from
receiving an interrogating radio signal sent by a reader and from
transmitting a signal from the tag to a reader.
[0035] Accordingly, the Radio Frequency identification tag blocking
material can be used in any item that a Radio Frequency
identification tagged `item can be placed inside. The Radio
Frequency identification tagged items signal is blocked until the
item is removed to be read. This prevents the Radio Frequency
identification tagged item from being read without the individual's
consent or knowledge. The Radio Frequency identification tag is not
harmed, altered or damaged in any way.
[0036] Although the description above contains many uses, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but
as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of
this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention is determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the
examples given.
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