U.S. patent application number 15/139101 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-26 for flexible scanner resistant device emulating a banknote for protection of rfid cards.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Cohen, Victor Lee. Invention is credited to Eric Cohen, Victor Lee.
Application Number | 20170303650 15/139101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60088851 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170303650 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen; Eric ; et
al. |
October 26, 2017 |
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.
Inventors: |
Cohen; Eric; (Miami, FL)
; Lee; Victor; (Chino Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cohen; Eric
Lee; Victor |
Miami
Chino Hills |
FL
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60088851 |
Appl. No.: |
15/139101 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/186 20130101;
A45C 1/06 20130101; A45C 2001/065 20130101; A45C 11/182
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 1/06 20060101
A45C001/06; A45C 11/18 20060101 A45C011/18 |
Claims
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 7/8 inch, by 7 and 3/4 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 3/4 inches in length, to about 2 and 7/8 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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The claimed subject matter disclosed broadly relates to the
field of electronic commerce, and more particularly relates to the
field of security as it relates to RFID cards used in electronic
commerce.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that
uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, called an
RFID tag or label, attached to an object, through a reader for the
purpose of identifying and tracking the object. RFID technology has
been used for many applications, including key entry cards,
passports, road toll fee payments, identification cards, and cash
transaction cards, such as credit and charge cards. RFID technology
typically includes embedding a card or device with a microchip that
stores certain information, such as passwords, identifiers,
personal information or records of user transactions. The
technology has become so popular, that many credit card issuers
have started using RFID technology as a replacement for traditional
magnetic strip credit cards.
[0006] Passive RFID tags (those without a battery) can be read if
passed within close enough proximity to an RFID reader or scanner.
It is not necessary to "show" the tag to the reader or scanner
device, as with a bar code. In other words it does not require line
of sight to "see" an RFID tag, the tag can be read inside a wallet,
purse, case, carton, box or other container, and unlike barcodes,
RFID tags can be read hundreds at a time. Some RFID tags can be
read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the
reader.
[0007] RFID technology, however, has come with drawbacks. The
private information stored on RFID cards are easier targets for
potential identity thieves and "electronic pickpockets." A
potential identity thief or electronic pickpocket can use an RFID
scanner to read the private information stored on an RFID card,
even when it is stored in a wallet, purse or pocket. The potential
thief needs only to hold a handheld RFID scanner in close proximity
to the wallet or purse in order to read the private information
contained in the RFID card. This has caused concern in the
financial and security industries.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,982 to Cohen discloses a device for
protecting one or more credit or charge cards from radio frequency
scanning. The disclosed device comprises a planar element sized for
fitting within a card slot of a personal carrying accessory,
wherein the planar element is composed of an uncharged, conductive
material and wherein the planar element inhibits the transmission
of radio frequency signals. But the device of U.S. Pat. No.
8,578,982 is rigid and does not allow for easy flexing or bending
of the device. This limits the use of the device and lowers
consumers' desires to utilize the device.
[0009] Consequently, a need exists to overcome the problems with
the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more
efficient way of protecting the data on RFID cards.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0010] Briefly, according to an embodiment, 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.
[0011] In another embodiment, method for preventing radio frequency
scanning of a card is disclosed. The method includes 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 3/4 inches in
length, to about 2 and 7/8 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.
[0012] In another embodiment, system for preventing radio frequency
scanning of a card is disclosed. The system includes 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; and 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.
[0013] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following more
particular description of the preferred embodiments of the claimed
subject matter, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and
distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the
specification. The foregoing and other features and also the
advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system that provides a
scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards, according to
one embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a spatial configuration for
using the scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards,
according to one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an additional spatial
configuration for using the scanner resistant device or devices for
RFID cards, according to one embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a first wallet in which the
scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards may be used,
according to one embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second wallet in which the
scanner resistant device or devices for RFID cards may be used,
according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the various layers of the
scanner resistant device comprising an interior metal layer
laminated on both sides with a separate plastic layer, wherein at
least one plastic layer shows printed information on an outward
facing side, according to one embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the method of placing one
or more scanner resistant devices in a personal carrying case, so
as to inhibit RFID scanning of RFID cards in the personal carrying
case, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The claimed subject matter solves the problems with the
prior art by providing a small, inexpensive and lightweight device
that prevents surreptitious scanning of RFID cards and that can be
placed within an existing personal carrying case, such as a wallet,
purse, handbag, holder or other type of carrying device. RFID cards
that may be protected include credit cards, charge cards,
identification cards, security tokens, pass cards, entry cards,
passports, badges, etc. The claimed subject matter is advantageous
since it allows for the use of existing personal carrying cases and
does not require the purchase of new carrying cases that prevent
scanning. The claimed subject matter is further advantageous since
it is manufactured from lightweight, durable material that remains
effective for extended periods of time. Also, the claimed subject
matter is advantageous since it allows for easy flexing or bending
of the device. This increases the utility of the device.
[0023] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system that provides scanner
resistant devices 102, 104 for RFID cards 110, 112 and 114,
according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view, which shows
scanner resistant devices 102, 104 surrounding RFID cards 110, 112
and 114, so as to prevent the scanner 100 from scanning the data
present in the RFID cards 110, 112 and 114 due to the conductive
material of scanner resistant devices 102, 104.
[0024] Each of the devices 102, 104, also called a "blocker
device," prevents the transmission of radio frequency signals
through its surface. Each blocker device may be composed of an
uncharged, conductive material, such as a dielectric metal or metal
alloy. Alternative materials for each blocker device include
aluminum, steel, iron, tin, copper, chromium, nickel, brass and
stainless steel. In another alternative, the blocker devices are
composed of a metallic foil material layer, such as aluminum foil,
that is laminated or covered on both sides with a layer of plastic
material, such as PVC or ABS plastic. A laminate is a material that
can be constructed by uniting two or more layers of material
together. The process of creating a laminate is lamination, which
in common parlance refers to the placing of something between
layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure,
usually with an adhesive. The laminating process may be pouch
lamination or heated roll lamination. In one embodiment, each
blocker device includes printed information, such as advertising,
logos, artwork, promotional materials or contact information, on at
least one of its surfaces.
[0025] In one embodiment, each blocker device may be manufactured
using a stamping process. Stamping includes a variety of
sheet-metal forming manufacturing processes, such as punching using
a machine press or stamping press, blanking, embossing, bending,
flanging, and coining. This could be a single stage operation where
every stroke of the press produce the desired form on the sheet
metal part, or could occur through a series of stages. The process
is usually carried out on sheet metal, but can also be used on
other materials, such as polystyrene.
[0026] The scanner 100 utilizes radio frequency signals to send and
receive data to and from RFID cards during the scanning process.
When those signals cannot be transmitted to or from the RFID cards
110, 112 and 114, the RFID cards cannot be scanned. The mechanism
that prevents transmission of radio frequency signals through the
material of the blocker devices 102, 104 is Gauss' law, which
mandates that a conducting sphere does not allow electrical fields
to be propagated into or out of the sphere. Surrounding, or
partially surrounding, the RFID cards 110, 112 and 114 with the
conducting material of the blocker devices 102, 104 has the same or
similar effect as surrounding the RFID cards with a conducting
sphere, i.e., radio frequency signals cannot be transmitted through
the blocker devices, thereby preventing scanning of the RFID cards
by a scanner 100.
[0027] Preferably, the size of each blocker device 102, 104 is
substantially the size of a U.S. currency banknote, which is
substantially 2 and 7/8 inch, by 7 and 3/4 inch. Preferably, the
size of each blocker device 102, 104 is substantially a size that
allows for insertion into a banknote slot or pocket, such as the
pockets 406 found in wallet 400 (see FIG. 4) and pockets 506 found
in wallet 500 (see FIG. 5).
[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a spatial configuration for
using the blocker device 102 for RFID cards 110, 112, according to
one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a frontal view, which shows the blocker
device 102 in front of (or behind) the RFID cards 110, 112, so as
to prevent scanning of the RFID cards by a scanner 100. Note that
although the figures show one blocker device in front of (or
behind) a stack of two or three RFID cards, the claimed subject
matter supports the use of more than one blocker devices to prevent
the scanning of one, two or more RFID cards.
[0029] FIG. 3 is an illustration of another spatial configuration
for using the scanner resistant device 102 for blocking access to
RFID cards 110, 112, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a
configuration where a set of rectangular cards stacked together and
lying on their longest side, wherein the height of the cards is
staggered one behind the other. Blocker device 102 surrounds the
stack of cards, when the RFID cards 110, 112 and the device 102 are
placed in a standard wallet or billfold, wherein the banknote pouch
curves around credit card sized pouches, at the time the wallet or
billfold is folded upon itself (as shown with regard to FIGS. 4 and
5 below). The placement of the RFID cards between the folded
blocker device prevents scanning of the information on the RFID
cards.
[0030] The configuration of FIG. 3 represents the relative position
of the items 102, 110, 112 when used in a wallet such as wallet 400
(see FIG. 4) wherein the cards 110, 112 are placed in pockets 402
of the wallet and device 102 is placed in banknote slot 406. Note
that pockets 402 comprise card slots that allow rectangular cards
to be inserted lying on their longest side, wherein the height of
the cards in the pockets 402 is staggered one behind the other to
allow for easy access by the user. Note that pockets 406 comprise
banknote slots that allow rectangular banknotes to be inserted
lying on their longest side, to allow for easy access by the user.
Additionally, the configuration of FIG. 3 represents the relative
position of the items 102, 110, 112 when used in a wallet such as
wallet 500 (see FIG. 5) wherein the cards 110, 112 are placed in
pockets 502 of the wallet and device 102 is placed in banknote
slots 506. Note that pockets 502 also comprise card slots that
allow rectangular cards to be inserted lying on their longest side,
wherein the height of the cards in the pockets 502 is staggered one
behind the other to allow for easy access by the user. And note
that pockets 506 comprise banknote slots that allow rectangular
banknotes to be inserted lying on their longest side, to allow for
easy access by the user.
[0031] Experimental results from testing of the claimed subject
matter are hereby provided. Testing occurred in August 2011 on a
blocker device substantially the size of a credit card, i.e., 3 and
3/8 inch, by 2 and 1/8 inch by 0.02 inch. A commercially available
RFID scanner operating at 13.56 MHz was used at a distance of 50 mm
from the blocker device. In each test, a different configuration of
blocker devices together with RFID cards in a wallet was used (see
FIG. 3). All of the following configurations resulted in no reading
of any data from any of the RFID cards in the configuration: 1) a
single blocker device in front of a single RFID card in a set of
pockets similar to pockets 402 in a wallet similar to wallet 400
(see FIG. 4); 2) a configuration similar to configuration 304,
wherein blocker devices were placed on either end of a stack of
cards including one or two RFID cards in a set of pockets similar
to pockets 504 in a wallet similar to wallet 500 (see FIG. 5); 3) a
configuration similar to configuration 302, wherein blocker devices
were placed on either end of a stack of cards include one or two
RFID cards in a set of pockets similar to pockets 402 in a wallet
similar to wallet 400 (see FIG. 4); 4) a configuration similar to
configuration 304, wherein blocker devices were placed on either
end of a stack of cards including one or two RFID cards, and
wherein a third blocker device was inserted in the middle of the
pack of cards, wherein the entire set of blocker devices and RFID
cards was placed in a set of pockets similar to pockets 504 in a
wallet similar to wallet 500.
[0032] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the various layers of the
scanner resistant device 102 comprising an interior metal layer
laminated on both sides with a separate plastic layer, wherein at
least one plastic layer exhibits printed information on an outward
facing side, according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded
view showing the various layers in a disassembled fashion.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the device 102 comprises a rectangular-shaped
planar element sized for fitting within the banknote slot of the
personal carrying accessory. The device 102 is composed of a top
layer 612 of plastic material having an interior surface 602
including printed information, a middle layer 614 of a metallic
foil that inhibits the transmission of radio frequency signals, and
a bottom layer 616 of plastic material having an interior surface
602 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 102 has a
thickness of about 0.3 mm and exhibits a bending stiffness
substantially equal to paper.
[0034] The middle layer may be dielectric material, a metal alloy,
laminated metal, any one of tin, copper, nickel, chromium, or
stainless steel, or a layer of uncharged conductive material. In
one embodiment, the middle layer 614 is aluminum foil. The top and
bottom layers may be PVC plastic, and/or include a clear oriented
polyester film. The entire device 102 (when assembled) may be
substantially 2 and 7/8 inch, by 7 and 3/4 inch. The entire device
102 (when assembled) may exhibit a bending stiffness substantially
equal to standard copy or print paper. Stiffness is the rigidity of
an object--the extent to which it resists deformation in response
to an applied force. The stiffness, k, of a body is a measure of
the resistance offered by an elastic body to deformation. For an
elastic body with a single degree of freedom, the stiffness is
defined as k=F/.delta., where, F is the force applied on the body,
and .delta. is the displacement produced by the force along the
same degree of freedom. In the International System of Units,
stiffness is typically measured in Newtons per meter. In Imperial
units, stiffness is typically measured in pounds (lbs) per inch.
Flexibility of device 102 is advantageous since it allows for easy
flexing or bending of the device. This increases the utility of the
device 102.
[0035] The dimensions of the device 102 is not limited to any
particular length and width. Some wallets or personal carrying
cases may need larger or smaller sizes of the device 102 to fit
into the money or banknote pocket. Note there are many different
designs and sizes of men's and women's wallets and personal
carrying cases in the market. Thus, the dimensions of device 102
may be adjusted to fit all wallet or personal carrying case sizes.
Note that the size and design of women's wallets, for example, may
be different from men's wallets, which can be a bi-fold or tri-fold
design. Thus, in one embodiment, in order to accommodate women's
wallets, the length of device 102 is about 1 inch shorter than the
standard size for men's wallet. Also, two devices 102 may be used
in a woman's wallet instead of one, in order to cover all credit
cards on both sides as shown in FIG. 1. Also, in one embodiment,
the thickness of device 102 is about 0.35 mm. In cases where the
lamination and printing process allow for thinner and softer PVC or
plastic material, the device 102 can be thinner than 0.35 mm. In
one embodiment, a preferred plastic material for layers 612, 616 is
soft PVC, as it is as flexible as paper or a banknote.
[0036] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing the method of placing one
or more scanner resistant devices in a personal carrying case, so
as to inhibit RFID scanning of RFID cards in the personal carrying
case, according to one embodiment. In a first step 702, RFID cards
110, 112 are placed in credit card sized card slots (402, 502) of
personal carrying case (400, 500). In step 704, scanner resistant
device 102 placed in banknote sized slots (406, 506) of personal
carrying case (400, 500), which is then folded, such that one or
more RFID cards are located between the scanner resistant card (see
configuration of FIG. 3).
[0037] Although specific embodiments have been disclosed, those
having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can
be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the
spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the
claimed subject matter is not to be restricted, therefore, to the
specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended
claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and
embodiments within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *