Patent Application
20170032235
Not Applicable.
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Not Applicable.
Most broadly, the invention relates to the field of electronic commerce; more particularly, it is directed to a device protecting portable items from unwanted scanning using radio frequency electromagnetic waves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Briefly, according to an embodiment, a device for preventing radio frequency scanning of a card is disclosed. The device comprises a layered 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. The planar element also has a front and back plastic layer for the addition of other items. In particular, a reading lens and a push button activated light source are integrated with the front plastic layer for easing reading of small text and in low lighting conditions.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, 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 disclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The disclosed embodiments solve 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 disclosed embodiments are advantageous since they allow for the use of existing personal carrying cases and do not require the purchase of new carrying cases that prevent scanning. The disclosed embodiments are further advantageous since they are manufactured from lightweight, durable material that remains effective for extended periods of time.
In order to prevent an electronic thief from accessing data stored on a card, a user can carry the device 100 (see
Most generally, the scanner resistant device 100 taught herein is a three layer longitudinal planar element sized as a typical credit card. The first layer is a plastic material (PVC, PET, ABS) for typical backing and printing purposes followed by a second layer of metallic material; this is made of suitable metals such as aluminum, copper, nickel, chrome, etcetera). The third layer is a plastic material (PVC, PET, ABS) for backing and also for holding a removable reading lens that can be placed back into its holder in the scanner resistant device. Said plastic of the first and third layers may or may not cover some or all of the sides of the device 100. In one embodiment, there is no first and third layer, but rather only a second layer comprising the metallic material.
It should be understood that the first and the third layer may be integral along the peripheral edges so as to encapsulate the metallic layer there between. The reading lens is made from a clear polycarbonate (PC or equivalent). An optional embodiment herein disclosed has one or more LED reading light disposed upon the surface of the third layer actuated by a plastic button integrated with the same and in wired communication with a battery power source. Thus, a user is provided with a RFID scanner resistant device having a reading lens to magnify small difficult to read text and a lighting device to assist in reading during low lighting conditions.
The scanner resistant device 100 taught herein has an uncharged, conductive material, such as a dielectric metal or metal alloy as its central layer. Alternative materials include aluminum, steel, iron, tin, copper, chromium, nickel, brass and stainless steel. In another alternative, the central layer or ‘blocker device’ is 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 forming two further layers as disclosed herein previously.
It should be readily understood that 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, pressure and or an adhesive. The laminating process may be pouch lamination or heated roll lamination. In one embodiment of the present invention, each scanner resistant device includes printed information, such as advertising, logos, artwork, promotional materials or contact information, on at least one of its outer layers' external surfaces.
In one embodiment, each scanner resistant device 100 is 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.
A radio frequency scanner 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, the RFID cards cannot be scanned. The mechanism that prevents transmission of radio frequency signals through the material of the device 100 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, an RFID card with the conducting material of the device 100 has the same or similar effect as surrounding the RFID card with a conducting sphere, i.e., radio frequency signals cannot be transmitted through the device 100, thereby preventing scanning of the RFID card by a scanner.
Preferably, the size of each device 100 is substantially the size of a credit card, which is substantially 3 and ⅜ inch, by 2 and ⅛ inch by 0.02 inch. Preferably, the size of each device 100 is substantially a size that allows for insertion into a card slot or pocket, such as the pockets found in a wallet (see
Experimental results from testing of the present invention are hereby provided. Testing occurred in August 2011 on a device 100 substantially the size of a credit card, i.e., 3 and ⅜ inch, by 2 and ⅛ 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 device 100. In each test, a different configuration of devices together with RFID cards in a wallet was used (see
A similar dual inwardly directed set of raised protrusions 113 (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side of the holder device close to the bottom short leg of its U shape and as before on the inner surface of the holder device 102. Here it should be understood that this set of raised protrusions 113 is not as pronounced as the one at the opposite end of the holder device 102 as this is only meant to slightly lock it place for ordinary use.
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 invention. The scope of the invention 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 invention.
