Abstract:
A band, label or tagging device for carrying identifying information about a person or object. The device includes a circuit host and antenna disposed on different substrates such that the substrates must be bonded together during the manufacturing stage in order to form a workable identification circuit. The bonding medium between the first and second substrates is such that upon an attempt to tamper with or remove the device, the first and second substrates will separate thus separating the circuit host from the antenna and disabling the communication circuit. The communication circuit may also comprise a circuit host with transponder and an antenna placed within the communication range of the transponder. Alternatively, the circuit may comprise two circuit hosts and two transponders placed within communication range of each other thus forming an enhanced ranged communication circuit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to improved identification devices having a circuit for carrying information on a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved devices for enabling and disabling circuits on identification devices. 
         [0002]    A wristband, tag or label having a circuit host for carrying information is known in the art. Such identification devices typically consist of a circuit host coupled to an antenna mounted on or laminated between polymer substrates. The circuits on such identification devices can be configured for enablement upon construction or enablement upon completion of a circuit loop, i.e., as in encircling a wristband around a person&#39;s wrist. 
         [0003]    Similarly, such identification devices provide for disabling of the circuit on the identification device in the event of tampering, stretching and/or removal of the device. This disabling is typically achieved through the use of a frangible loop of conductive material that traces the length of the device. Disabling of the circuit occurs when the frangible loop is torn or broken following an attempt to tamper with, tear and/or remove the device. 
         [0004]    Drawbacks of such prior art devices for disabling a circuit include the possibility of opening a wristband loop without cutting, stretching or tearing the frangible circuit loop around the perimeter of the device. Such removal can result in an identification device being removed without the circuit being disabled. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved identification device wherein an attempt to remove the identification device from a surface to which it is adhered will result in failure of the circuit and disablement of the same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A device in the nature of a wristband, tag or label for identifying an object or person. The device consists of a first substrate and a second substrate bonded together by a first bonding layer disposed there between. The first bonding layer is substantially coextensive with both the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a circuit host bonded or printed on a side that faces the second substrate. The second substrate has an antenna bonded or printed on a side that faces the first substrate. The first bonding layer does not cover the circuit host on the first substrate. The first substrate is aligned with and bonded to the second substrate such that at least a portion of the antenna aligns with at least a portion of the circuit host. This aligning of the antenna and the circuit host places the two in electrical communication. The first bonding layer has an adhesive strength less than the adhesive strength of the bond between the circuit host and the first substrate as well as the bond between the antenna and the second substrate. In this way an attempt to remove the device from a person or object will result in failure of the first bonding layer and the circuit host being separated from the antenna. This separation results in a disabling of the circuit host antenna combination. 
         [0007]    A conductive adhesive may be disposed between the aligned portions of the antenna and the circuit host. This conductive adhesive bonds the aligned portions of the antenna and the circuit host thereby facilitating the electrical communication between the two. 
         [0008]    A second bonding layer may be disposed over a portion of a second side of either the first or second substrate. A release layer covers this second bonding layer. Removal of the release layer permits the second bonding layer to affix the device to a surface, person or object to be identified. As with the other bonds, the first bonding layer has an adhesive strength less than the adhesive strength of the second bonding layer. In this way an attempt to remove the device will result in failure of the first bonding layer and separation of the first substrate from the second substrate. This separation results in separation of the circuit host from the antenna and disablement of the device. 
         [0009]    The antenna is preferably a continuous loop of conductive material that traverses substantially the entire length of the second substrate. In addition, the antenna is made from a frangible material and placed adjacent to the perimeter of the second substrate. In this way attempts to cut, remove or stretch the identification device will likely result in cutting or breaking of the antenna and disablement of the identification device. 
         [0010]    As mentioned above, the identification device will be disabled if the circuit host is separated from the antenna or if the antenna is cut or broken. The circuit host is preferably programmed to erase all data stored therein if the identification device becomes disabled. In addition, the circuit host can be programmed with an electronic alarm signal configured to activate if the identification device becomes disabled. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment the circuit host may comprise a first circuit host and a first transponder. In this embodiment, the antenna will be aligned with the circuit host such that it is in communication range of the first transponder. Ideally, the first transponder has a send-receive range less than the thickness of the first substrate. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the antenna may comprise a second circuit host and a second transponder. In this embodiment, the second transponder is aligned with the first transponder such that they are in communication range of each other. These coupled transponders form an enhanced range communication circuit. Where there are two circuit hosts, both are programmed such that they are not enabled until the first and second transponders are brought into communication range, thus forming the enhanced range communication circuit. Preferably, each transponder has a unique encrypted lock and key identifier. 
         [0013]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an identification wristband of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a wristband of the present invention illustrating separation of the circuit host and antenna; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the wristband of  FIG. 1  illustrating the alignment of the circuit host and antenna; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the wristband of  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternate alignment of the circuit host and antenna; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating an alternate configuration for the antenna; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating an alternate configuration for the antenna; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a label of the present invention illustrating configuration of the circuit host and antenna; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a self-wrapping tag of the present invention illustrating the circuit host and antenna configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a sheet including a wristband and multiple labels embodying the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  taken along line  11 - 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an alternative cross-sectional view of the wristband of  FIG. 1  illustrating alignment of the circuit host having a portion of an antenna in alignment with a larger antenna; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a wristband of the present invention embodying an enhanced-range communications circuit having a transponder placed within communication range of another antenna; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13  taken along line  14 - 14 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a wristband of the present invention illustrating the placement of a first circuit host/first transponder and second circuit host/second transponder; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of one end of a wristband of the present invention including stress cuts or perforations placed between the circuit host and antenna; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 16  illustrating angled perforations; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 16  illustrating a series of parallel perforations; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a wristband of the present invention illustrating an embodiment where the circuit host connects to an antenna; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged cross-sectional view a wristband of the present invention illustrating a circuit host having an electronic alarm signal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The present invention is directed to an identification device in the nature of a wristband, tag or label for carrying identification information about a person or object. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the identification device may be a wristband  20  designed for wrapping around a person or object and securing by adhesive means. The wristband  20  consists of a first substrate  22  having a circuit host  24  bonded or printed on one side thereof. A second substrate  26  has an antenna  28  bonded or printed on one side thereof. The first substrate  22  and second substrate  26  are preferably constructed from a durable polymer material typically used in identification devices such as wristbands, tags or labels. 
         [0036]    A first bonding layer  30  is disposed between the first substrate  22  and the second substrate  26 . The first bonding layer  30  is substantially coextensive with both the first substrate  22  and the second substrate  26 . However, the first bonding layer  30  should not cover the circuit host  24 . 
         [0037]    The first substrate  22  is aligned with and bonded to the second substrate  26  by means of the first bonding layer  30 . In aligning the first substrate  22  with the second substrate  26  the circuit host  24  and antenna  28  should be on adjacent sides of the respective substrates. At least a portion of the antenna  28  must align with at least a portion of the circuit host  24  such that they are in electrical communication when the first substrate  22  and second substrate  26  are bonded together. 
         [0038]    Critical to this invention is the relative adhesive strength of the first bonding layer  30  to the bonds between the circuit host  24  and first substrate  22  and the antenna  28  and the second substrate  26 . The first bonding layer  30  must have an adhesive strength less than the adhesive strength of the bond between the circuit host  24  and the first substrate  22 . Similarly, the first bonding layer  30  must have an adhesive strength less than the adhesive strength of the bond between the antenna  28  and the second substrate  26 . The purpose for the relative bonding strengths is so that upon an attempt to tamper with and/or remove the wristband  20 , the first bonding layer  30  will separate before the other bonds in the device resulting in a separation of the first substrate  22  from the second substrate  26 . This separation will also result in a separation of the circuit host  24  from the antenna  28  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thus disabling the identification device. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the relative placement of the antenna  28  and circuit host  24 . A conductive adhesive  32  may be disposed between the aligned portions of the antenna  28  and circuit host  24 . This conductive adhesive  32  facilitates the connection between the antenna  28  and circuit host  24  thus ensuring electrical communication therebetween. 
         [0040]    The wristband  20  may include a second bonding layer  34  disposed over at least a portion of a second side of either the first substrate  22  or the second substrate  26 . A release layer  36  covers the second bonding layer  34  until it is needed to bond the device to a surface. A portion or all of the release layer  36  is removed and the wristband  20  may be secured to a surface by the second bonding layer  34  or secured around a person&#39;s wrist or an object by overlapping the ends of the wristband  20 . As with the other relative strengths of the various bonds, the first bonding layer  30  has an adhesive strength less than the adhesive strength of the second bonding layer  34 . Preferably, the adhesive strength of the second bonding layer  34  is at least as strong, if not stronger than, the bonds that exist between the first substrate  22  and circuit host  24  and second substrate  26  and antenna  28 . As an additional preference, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the juncture of the circuit host  24  and the antenna  28  is positioned over a section of the release layer  36  that is removed and adhered to another surface or other end of the wristband  20 . That is, the juncture of the circuit host  24  and the antenna  28  are positioned in a location where tampering of the wristband  20  is most likely to occur. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate various configurations of the circuit host  24  and antenna  28 . Preferably, the antenna  28  comprises a continuous loop of conductive trace material that traverses substantially the entire length of the second substrate  26 . The antenna  28  is preferably made from a frangible material and is placed adjacent to the perimeter of the second substrate  26  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The antenna  28  may also traverse the surface of the second substrate  26  in various patterns, one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In addition, the antenna  28  need not traverse the entire length of the second substrate  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate alternate embodiments for the identification device of the present invention.  FIG. 8  illustrates a label  38  and  FIG. 9  illustrates a wrap-around tag  40 . The construction of the label  38  and wrap around tag  40  is similar to the construction of the wristband  20 . The label  38  and wrap around tag  40  both include a first substrate  22  with a circuit host  24  and a second substrate  26  with an antenna  28 . A first bonding layer  30  disposed between the first substrate  22  and second substrate  26  bond the two layers together with the circuit host  24  and antenna  28  having the above stated aligned configuration. A conductive adhesive  32  may or may not be included between the circuit host  24  and antenna  28 . A second bonding layer  34  and release layer  36  may be included on at least a portion of one side of the label  38  or wrap around tag  40  as with the wristband  20 . As described above, the critical aspect of this invention is the relative adhesive strengths of the first bonding layer, second bonding layer and the bonds that exist between the first substrate  22  and circuit host  24 , as well as, second substrate  26  and antenna  28 . The first bonding layer  30  must have the weakest adhesive strength such that an attempt to tamper with or remove the identification device will result in failure of this first bonding layer  30  and separation of the first substrate  22  from the second substrate  26 . As described above, this separation results in the separation of the circuit host  24  from the antenna  28  and disablement of the identification device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates a sheet media  42  that includes at least one wristband  20  and multiple labels  38 . The sheet media  42  may also include multiple wrap around tags  40  (not shown) in place of several of the labels  38 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sheet media  42  taken along line  11 - 11 . This cross-sectional view illustrates the sheet media  42  as the backing for the sheet and a third bonding layer  44  to adhere the identification devices to the sheet media  42 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 12  further illustrates an alternate embodiment of the wristband  20 . A transponder  46  is formed from the combination of the circuit host  24  and a portion of a small antenna  47 . The transponder  46  is encapsulated between the first substrate  22  and the second substrate  26  and effectively retained by the first bonding layer  30 . Thus, it is evident from  FIG. 12  that the circuit host  24  and the small antenna  47  combine to form the transponder  46  as placed adjacent to the antenna  28  to form a security mechanism similar to the one shown in separated form in  FIG. 2 . Upon an attempt to tamper with and/or remove the wristband  20 , the first bonding layer  30  separates before the other bonds in the device resulting in a separation of the first substrate  22  from the second substrate  26 . This separation also results in the separation of the transponder  46  from the antenna  28 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the wristband  20  of  FIG. 12 . These FIGS. further illustrate an alternative embodiment of the transponder  46  as formed by the circuit host  24  and the small antenna  47 . The transponder  46  has a communication or send/receive range less than the thickness of the first substrate  22 . For operation, the antenna  28  must be aligned with the circuit host  24  such that the antenna  28  is within the communication range of the transponder  46 . The antenna  28  coupled with the transponder  46  creates an enhanced-range communication circuit capable of communications with third party send/receive mechanisms. As in the other embodiments, the wristband  20  is designed to separate between the first substrate  22  and the second substrate  26  in the event of tampering or attempted removal of the wristband  20 . In this way the transponder  46  is separated from the antenna  28  thereby disabling the enhanced-range communication circuit. 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  depicts another alternate embodiment. In this embodiment, the circuit host  24  and the small antenna  47  form the transponder  46 , previously described. Additionally, the antenna  28  in  FIG. 12  is replaced by a second circuit host  48  incorporating a second small antenna  49  to form a second transponder  50 . The first transponder  46  is coupled with the second transponder  50  to form the enhanced-range communication circuit as described above. In this embodiment the first and second circuit hosts  24 ,  48  are programmed such that they will not become enabled until the first transponder  46  is brought into communication range with the second transponder  50 . The first and second transponders  46 ,  50  each possess a unique encrypted lock and key identifier. 
         [0047]    As described above, the adhesive forces of the respective bonding layers are such that if there is an attempt to remove the device from a surface or a person&#39;s wrist, the bonding layer  30  between the first substrate  22  and the second substrate  26  will release before all other bonds, thus damaging or breaking the enhanced-range communication circuit formed by the coupling of the transponders  46 ,  50 . This breaking of the enhanced-range communication circuit will disable the electronic communications capability of the device. 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  depicts the wristband  20  including stress cuts or perforations  54  between the transponder  46 , comprising the circuit host  24  and the small antenna  47 , and the antenna  28 . These stress cuts or perforations  54  increase the probability of separation of the circuit host  24  from the antenna  28  in the event of tampering or attempted removal of the wristband  20 .  FIGS. 17 and 18  further illustrate alternative embodiments of  FIG. 16  where the stress cuts or perforations  54  are a set of angled cuts ( FIG. 17 ) or a series of parallel cuts ( FIG. 18 ). In addition, the antenna  28  may be replaced by the second transponder  50 , comprising the second circuit host  48  and the second small antenna  49 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The stress cuts or perforations  54  are used to increase the probability of separation of the enhanced-range communication circuit formed by the coupling of the transponders  46 ,  50 . Moreover, the stress cuts or perforations  54  may also increase the probability of separation between the circuit host  24  and the antenna  28  as generally illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0049]    In each of the embodiments described above, it has been described how the identification device will be disabled if the circuit host  24  is separated from the antenna  28  or if a transponder  46  is separated from an antenna  28  or another transponder  50 . Similarly, the identification device will be disabled if the antenna circuit loop is cut or broken. In any of these disabling scenarios, the circuit host  24  is preferably programmed to erase all data stored therein if the identification device becomes disabled. This is also the case in the embodiment which possesses two circuit hosts  24 ,  48 . In addition, the circuit hosts  24 ,  48  may be programmed with an electronic alarm signal  52 . This electronic alarm signal  52  may be configured to activate if the identification device becomes disabled as described above. The activation of this electronic alarm signal resulting from a separation from the circuit host  24  from the antenna  28  is depicted in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0050]    The above described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.