Patents Assigned to Proximities, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7348888
    Abstract: An identification device has a band and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band to fasten it around a limb of a user. A transponder circuit is attached to the band, and is responsive to a received wireless signal. In response to the received wireless signal, the transponder emits a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder. An electrically conductive continuous loop on the band extends from the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band, the loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer's limb. Circuitry in the transponder is electrically connected to the loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Girvin, John W. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7323998
    Abstract: An identification device has a band and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band to fasten it around a limb of a user. A transponder circuit is attached to the band, and is responsive to a received wireless signal. In response to the received wireless signal, the transponder emits a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder. An electrically conductive continuous loop on the band extends from the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band, the loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer's limb. Circuitry in the transponder is electrically connected to the loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Girvin, John W. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7286055
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus that includes a mechanism for storing an excess portion of the apparatus when engaged. The apparatus includes a substrate including a series of holes along a length thereof and a slot distal from the series of holes, a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the apparatus to an object, an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate and an electrically conductive loop disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit, that is arranged to disable the RFID circuit when cut. The slot receives a tail portion of the substrate when the apparatus is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Girvin, John W. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7283054
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an RFID disabling apparatus using prefabricated, “off-the-shelf” components. The method includes: disposing a prefabricated RFID circuit and a conductive loop on a substrate, coupling a first end of the conductive loop to a first endpoint of the RFID circuit, and coupling a second end of the conductive loop to a second endpoint of the RFID circuit. An optional electronic component can be coupled between the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the RFID circuit. The RFID circuit can be an “off-the-shelf” RFID circuit. A portion of the RFID circuit can be severed to create the first endpoint and the second endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Girvin, John W. Lerch, Roger W. Pryor
  • Patent number: 7168626
    Abstract: An identification device formed from a band of material and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band. A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is disposed on the band. The transponder includes an RFID circuit, such as may be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an antenna. First and second electrically conductive traces are coupled to different portions of the RFID transponder. The first and second traces are arranged such that the RFID transponder is disabled when the first and second electrically conductive traces come in contact with one another. Various arrangements of the conductive traces are described to achieve improved security and functionality over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John W Lerch, Joshua M. Girvin
  • Patent number: 7119690
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant RFID wristband that becomes permanently disabled upon tampering. The wristband includes a plurality of holes for snugly securing the band to a wearer, an RFID circuit, and an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band. The RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled to form a series circuit, severance of which disables the wristband. The electrically conductive loop includes a first layer and a second layer that are electrically isolated from one another, save for at least one electrical connection made preferably by a via at the end of the band distal from the antenna element. The first layer encircles the holes in a serpentine path on one layer of the band and the second layer encircles the holes in a complimentary serpentine path on a different layer of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Lerch, Joshua M. Girvin, John P. Norair, Peijen S. Mou
  • Publication number: 20060202829
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant RFID identification apparatus that includes a mechanism for storing an excess portion of the apparatus when engaged. The apparatus includes a substrate including a series of holes along a length thereof and a slot distal from the series of holes, a tamper-resistant locking mechanism for securing the apparatus to an object, an RFID circuit disposed on the substrate and an electrically conductive loop disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the RFID circuit, that is arranged to disable the RFID circuit when cut. The slot receives a tail portion of the substrate when the apparatus is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Girvin, John Lerch
  • Patent number: 7042357
    Abstract: An identification device has a band and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band to fasten it around a limb of a user. A transponder circuit is attached to the band, and is responsive to a received wireless signal. In response to the received wireless signal, the transponder emits a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder. An electrically conductive continuous loop on the band extends from the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band, the loop being frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer's limb. Circuitry in the transponder is electrically connected to the loop and arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Girvin, John W. Lerch
  • Publication number: 20060092028
    Abstract: An identification device formed from a band of material and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band. A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is disposed on the band. The transponder includes an RFID circuit, such as may be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an antenna. First and second electrically conductive traces are coupled to different portions of the RFID transponder. The first and second traces are arranged such that the RFID transponder is disabled when the first and second electrically conductive traces come in contact with one another. Various arrangements of the conductive traces are described to achieve improved security and functionality over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lerch, Joshua Girvin
  • Publication number: 20060087437
    Abstract: An identification apparatus, such as may be incorporated into a band of material used as a wristband. An identification function is disposed in the band, along with an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) function, that may be selected to be at least one of an electromagnetic or acousto-magnetic segment. The identification function is typically a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device. The EAS function segment operates independently of the RFID device, so that the presence or absence of one or more EAS segments can be detected without affecting the RFID function operation. In one embodiment, multiple segments are disposed on the band, with at least one segment having a different characteristic physical property than at least one other segment. The multiple segments may be formed on an upper and lower surface of the band, such that they overlap with one another in a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lerch, Joshua Girvin, John Norair
  • Publication number: 20060077060
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant RFID wristband that becomes permanently disabled upon tampering. The wristband includes a plurality of holes for snugly securing the band to a wearer, an RFID circuit, and an electrically conductive loop disposed in the band. The RFID circuit and the conductive loop are electrically coupled to form a series circuit, severance of which disables the wristband. The electrically conductive loop includes a first layer and a second layer that are electrically isolated from one another, save for at least one electrical connection made preferably by a via at the end of the band distal from the antenna element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lerch, Joshua Girvin, John Norair, Peijen Mou
  • Publication number: 20060076402
    Abstract: A process for electronic authorization to access a common account via personal identification devices such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, such as may be mounted on a wristband. RFID wristbands for auxiliary users are not authorized by a cashier/operator unless a primary account holder's RFID wristband is utilized as an immediate preceding step. This process alleviates a problem with simpler approaches which merely require operator authorization to associate auxiliary RFID wristbands with primary RFID wristbands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lerch, Joshua Girvin
  • Publication number: 20050248458
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an RFID disabling apparatus using prefabricated, “off-the-shelf” components. The method includes: disposing a prefabricated RFID circuit and a conductive loop on a substrate, coupling a first end of the conductive loop to a first endpoint of the RFID circuit, and coupling a second end of the conductive loop to a second endpoint of the RFID circuit. An optional electronic component can be coupled between the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the RFID circuit. The RFID circuit can be an “off-the-shelf” RFID circuit. A portion of the RFID circuit can be severed to create the first endpoint and the second endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Girvin, John Lerch, Roger Pryor
  • Publication number: 20050166436
    Abstract: An identification device has a band and a non-reusable tamper-resistant fastening arranged to join opposite end regions of the band to fasten it around a limb of a user. A transponder circuit and antenna are attached to the band, so that they are responsive to a received wireless signal. In response to the received wireless signal, the transponder emits a wireless signal representative of information pre-stored in the transponder. An electrically conductive continuous loop on the band couples to the transponder and forms an electrically continuous path along substantially the entire length of the band. The conductive loop also serves as an extension of antenna, so that the transponder is thus arranged to become inoperative and disable the transponder if the loop is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Girvin, John Lerch
  • Publication number: 20050146435
    Abstract: A non-reusable tamper-resistant identification device, such as may be fastened around a limb of a user. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) circuit is disposed in a band of material, such as is suitable for use as a wristband. The RFID circuit comprises an antenna and a transponder, disposed adjacent the antenna and cooperating therewith for emitting and receiving a wireless signal. An electrically conductive loop forms at least a portion of a connection between the antenna and the transponder. In addition, the electrically conductive loop forms a continuous conductive path along substantially the entire length of the band. The conductive loop is preferably frangible and easily broken in response to an attempt to remove the band from the wearer's limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: Proximities, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Girvin, John Lerch