Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting and interacting with radio frequency identification devices, including a transceiver, a scanner operationally connected to the transceiver and tuned to scan a pre-selected set of frequencies typically associated with RFID tags, a microprocessor operationally connected to the transceiver, a user interface operationally connected to the microprocessor, and a power supply operationally connected to the microprocessor and to the transceiver. The apparatus may be selectively actuated to detect and interrogate RFID tags, to reprogram RFID tags, and/or to destroy RFID tags.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/910029, filed on Apr. 4, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices have become ubiquitous in our lives. As nondescript one- or two-way communications devices that can be unobtrusively attached to or within products, such devices inherently carry a risk for the violation of personal privacy. For example, even though many product tags include RFID devices installed for the purpose of tracking inventory or deterring shoplifting, those tags often remain activated after the product has left the store and may be queried by anyone with the right know-how and equipment. Thus, there is a need for a means for detecting and nullifying RFID devices that have outlived their usefulness as tracking devices and/or theft deterrents. The present novel technology addresses this need. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present novel technology relates generally to the field of electronics and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for detecting active and/or passive RFID tags and recording the presence of, deactivating, and/or reprogramming the same. One object of the present novel technology is to provide an improved system of detecting RFID devices. Related objects and advantages of the present novel technology will be apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a device for detecting and interacting with RFID tags according to a first embodiment of the present novel technology. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a method for detecting and interacting with RFID tags using the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0006]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0007]    Since RFID devices by design transmit information when queued, RFID devices inherently have potential for privacy abuse. The novel technology discussed hereinbelow device addresses privacy concerns without obviating the intended purpose and justification for the use of RF ID&#39;s. RFID&#39;s were initially developed for tracking items from manufacturing through shipping and retail presentation. They allow for inventory management and are used for actual product identification and for pricing at a point of sale. However, once the sale is completed and the customer departs, the RFID device may continue to transmit information if not properly deactivated. In other words, if an RFID device is not deactivated at the point of sale, it remains detectable for subsequent monitoring. It is conceivable that a third party who simply wanted to know about one&#39;s purchasing patterns could independently and externally monitor active RFID tags. 
         [0008]    The problem gets exacerbated when RFID tags are placed in such non-retail items as personal identification or charge cards. Without serious encryption, these tags could be ‘snooped’ upon externally by those wishing to collect information. There have been significant concerns expressed that such ubiquitous RFID tagging could create a large potential for the ‘theft’ of personal information and subsequent identity theft. Furthermore, the presence of such RFID tagged information could generate a vehicle whereby the tracking of an individual&#39;s movements could be monitored. By way of example, the fob issued by Mobile Oil for ‘pay at the pump’ purchases of gasoline has reportedly been independently read by technicians as a test of its security (it failed). 
         [0009]    While there is a plethora of equipment available for detecting and scanning RFID devices, such equipment is mostly constrained to commercial devices designed and marketed for reading the RFID for its actual intended purpose. Those few detectors/readers available to the general public are very limited in functionality. The novel device described hereinbelow both extends and improves upon the functionality available, providing for the individual to manage RFID use as it pertains to his or her personal choices. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present novel technology relates to a device  10  for detecting and nullifying RFID tags or transmitters  15 . The device  10  includes a broad spectrum scanner  20  configured to detect and read active RFID devices  15 . The scanner  20  is typically configured to monitor those frequencies commonly used by RFID tags  15 . More typically, the scanner  20  is further configured to generate a RF pulse for querying passive RFID devices  15 . The scanner  20  typically includes a transceiver  25 , a modulation circuit  27  and antenna  30  and is more typically operationally connected to (or includes incorporated therein) a spectrum analyzer  33  and/or a memory device  35  for recording the identification of RFID devices  15  and, more typically, for recording the information stored on RFID devices  15  that are read by the scanner  20 . A user interface  40  is also typically connected to the scanner  20  displaying information regarding detected RFID tags  15  and their stored information and for allowing the user to select response options. These response options typically include one or more of the following: destroying of the RFID device  15  by generating a pulse at the RFID&#39;s receiving frequency of sufficient strength to overload and damage the RFID tag  15 ; reprogramming the RFID tag  15  with disinformation; blocking or jamming the RFID tag&#39;s  15  frequency to prevent communications therewith; logging the RFID tag  15  and/or its information for later reference; or the like. Some RFID tags  15 , such as those in identification badges or identification cards, could be selectively noted such that they ignored by the device  10 . 
         [0011]    The user interface  40  typically includes an operationally connected display device  45 , a data entry interface  50  (such as a keypad), and an electronic interface  55  (such as a USB port). Further, the scanner portion  20  and memory portion  35  are typically connected in electric communication with a microprocessor  60 . The device  10  also typically includes a power supply  70  operationally connected to the scanner  20 , memory  35 , and/or microprocessor  60 . 
         [0012]    In operation, the device  10  passively scans  100  typical frequencies used in active RFID tags and detects their presence. The device  10  next actively scans  105  with RF output to activate and detect passive RFID devices  10 . If either type tag  15  is found, an attempt is typically made to read and store  110  the information contained on the RFID and then notify  115  the user, such as via an audible or vibratory alarm. Optionally, the device  10  may then scan for external tracking stations  120  to warn a user  119  that at least one RFID tag  15  within range is being scanned. If the scanner  20  reads an RFID device with an encryption, the device  10  may then query  121  its memory  35  and/or a remote encryption database  122  to procure a valid decryption code. The device may then attempt to decrypt and read the information on the encrypted RFID tag  15 . If no tags are found or if the tags found are encrypted and no decryption is available, the device  10  may then display a message  123  regarding the same. 
         [0013]    The device  10  then typically builds and displays a table of units found  125 . The device  10  then typically gives the user the option to highlight on screen or otherwise identify which, if any, RFID tags  15  they wish to block or jam  130 . The device  10  is then activated to block or scramble  135  those selected RFID tags  10 . If it is desired that one or more RFID tag be activated, the user may again highlight or identify the selected RFID tag(s) on the list to be unblocked  140  and the device  10  then suppresses the blocking  145  of the selected tags  10  (or unblocks  145  blocked tags  10 ). 
         [0014]    Typically, the device  10  will give the user the option of selecting for destruction  150  and then permanently deactivating or destroying  155  an RFID tag  15 , such as by generating an overload pulse on the tag&#39;s  15  receiving frequency. 
         [0015]    The device  10  is typically configured to include a receiver  25  and spectrum analyzer  33  tuned to scan typical frequencies employed, a (typically) very small microprocessor  60  with memory  35  and a control unit  40  operationally connected to the receiver/spectrum analyzer  25 ,  33 , an LCD or like type display  45  operationally connected to the microprocessor  60  for reporting detected RFID tags  15 , an alarm function  45  operationally connected to the microprocessor  60 , a (typically low level) RF source  25  tunable to the detected frequency(s) (and probably limited to 100 milliwatts to comply with FCC regulations) to be employed as a signal blocking device and/or deactivation device, a USB interface  55  for both loading firmware and for interrogating obtained data from RFID tags  15 , a power supply  70 , such as a battery  75 , wall current, a charging circuit, or the like, and a user interface  40  (such as key functions) operationally connected to command the device  10 . 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the device  10  will further include the functionality of searching for externally generated RFID tag activation signals  170  and will generate an alert signal  175  upon receipt of such an activation signal, such that the user will know when an RFID tag in his possession or vicinity is being externally queried. In still another embodiment, the device  10  may be selectively actuated  179  to reprogram an RFID tag with new information  180 . In yet another embodiment, the device  10  will include encryption or like safeguards to prevent it from becoming an identifier in its own right, capable of being queried and/or otherwise identified. 
         [0017]    The device  10  may optionally be connected through its electronic interface  55 , either directly or via computer, to an Internet web site to facilitate software updates and data base revisions of known codes on a subscription basis. The device  10  may also be used to submit (such as on a fee for service basis) obtained RFID data for subsequent analysis via the web site. 
         [0018]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.