Patent Publication Number: US-2007109130-A1

Title: Card cases and wallets with radio frequency shielding

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to the field of radio frequency electromagnetic signal shielding for contactless cards.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Contactless cards are widely used. An estimated distribution adds more than one billion cards per year. Contactless cards interact with and receive power from contactless readers by fine wire or printed antennas embedded in the cards. The antennas are connected to micro circuit chips and memories within the cards. Contactless payment devices are usually read within short distances of a few inches. Contactless radio frequency identification cards are designed to be read at larger distances.  
      Radio frequency electromagnetic signal technology uses wireless communication of signals in radio frequency bands to power and transmit data from contactless tags to contactless cards and readers. A tag or chips and an antenna are attached to or embedded in an object to be identified. A contactless reader powers and scans the tag or chip for data and sends the information to a database, which stores the data contained on the tag, chip or attached memory.  
      Interest in contactless RFID technology has been increasing rapidly. Contactless technology offers several improvements over its predecessor technologies, such as machine readable contact chips, barcodes and magnetic stripe cards. An RFID tag, chip or memory carries more data than a barcode or magnetic stripe and can be reprogrammed with new information if needed. Additionally, contactless tags, chips or memories do not typically require a line of light to be read, as barcodes do, and can be read more rapidly and over greater distances. Contactless RFID technology is now being used in a variety of public and private-sector settings.  
      However, there are several drawbacks to RFID technology as it currently exists. Specifically, these drawbacks include ensuring that only authorized readers or personnel have access to information. Identity and other information theft issues may become increasingly common as contactless RFID technology is integrated into important personal documents, such as credit cards, passports and other documents. Without effective security controls, data on the tag, chips and memories can be read by any compliant contactless reader. Furthermore, data transmitted through the air can be intercepted and read by unauthorized devices and individuals.  
      Current methods of reducing unwanted access to contactless RFID technology information include wrapping RFID devices in Aluminum foil or placing the contactless RFID devices in Aluminum-Mylar bags.  
      When using Aluminum foil, the foil must be replaced often. It is difficult to unwrap and reuse foil regularly. It is also difficult to place a foil wrapped credit card in a wallet. The appearance of a foil wrapped credit card or passport is not visually appealing and may arouse suspicion from customs officials or produce an alarm in a metal detector. Furthermore, if the foil is not wrapped well, RF/EM signals may reach the contactless RFID device, defeating the purpose of wrapping the RFID device.  
      Mylar bags are more durable than Aluminum foil. However, Mylar bags still carry the risk of insufficient closure or potential for opening during transport. Mylar bags are also susceptible to being cut, thus eliminating any protection.  
      Other RFID shielding solutions are not readily portable and may not be useful for contactless RFID technology in personal devices. Non-portable RFID shielding devices attach directly to electronics and do not completely surround the item to be protected.  
      Needs exist for improved methods for storing and transporting valuable information via contactless RFID technology to prevent unwanted access to the valuable information.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides portable enclosures with hinged slide or flapped openings capable of containing several radio frequency identification (contactless RFID) tags, cards and chips, memories and antennae embedded in other devices. The portable enclosure shields the contactless cards or devices from electromagnetic RF signals trying to activate and read the RFID tags. RFID devices include contactless smart cards and other similar devices that may be used for payment and identification. Made from a variety of materials, including plastic, rubber, metal, leather, vinyl, fabric, or other material capable of withstanding use, weather, and surrounding environment, with a metallic substrate embedded in the material used. The metal can consist of copper, silver, aluminum, tin, or any other metal capable of attenuating completely the wavelength necessary to reach and activate the embedded RFI Tag. The metal can be in a weave, solid, or any structure capable of necessary shield.  
      The invention protects information encoded on an RFI tag embedded in an item such as a credit card or passport, but is not limited to them. It consists of 2 basic layers which completely surround the item containing the RFI Tag: a protective inner layer of metal that keeps signals from hitting RFI Tag and thus keeps that Tag from responding to errant or malicious signals and releasing information to someone to which the owner has not agreed to give the information and an outer layer of material creating a physical barrier against the elements and serves a decorative function.  
      The present invention provides two layer portable enclosures. The inner layer is a protective layer of metal that keeps signals from hitting the RFID tags, chips, memories and antennae. The outer layer is a physical barrier against the elements and serves a decorative function.  
      In one embodiment, the portable enclosure of the present invention is a six sided enclosure with a hinged and/or slide opening. One or more RFID contactless tags, cards, memories and antenna are embedded in other portable devices are contained within the enclosure. The inner layer metal is preferably, but not limited to, copper, silver, aluminum, tin or any other metal capable of attenuating completely the wavelength necessary to reach and activate the embedded RFID contactless devices. The metal may be in a weave, solid, knit or woven fabric of metal wires or any other structure capable of the necessary shielding. The outer layer is preferably, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, metal, leather, vinyl, fabric, or other materials capable of withstanding use, weather, and the surrounding environment. The inner layer may be embedded within the outer layer.  
      The present invention is particularly useful for credit cards and passports, but is not limited to these devices. The two layers of the portable enclosure completely surround the contactless RFID devices. The protective inner layer prevents signals from hitting the RFID devices. The lack of signals prevents the RFID tag from responding to errant or malicious signals and thus releasing information to a non-authorized individual.  
      The present EM and RF shielding apparatus includes a bottom half of an enclosure, a top half of an enclosure, a connection between the bottom half and the top half, an enclosure space between the bottom half and the top half for holding enclosed contactless RFID devices, shielding on inner surfaces or within the bottom half and the top half for completely attenuating wavelengths associated with the enclosed contactless RFID devices.  
      The shielding on the bottom half and the top half overlaps. The shielding is a metal knit weave, solid metal, particulate matter, or knit fabric. The shielding is copper, silver, aluminum or tin. The bottom half and the top half may be generally rectangular with four side walls. The bottom half and the top half are plastic, rubber, metal, leather, vinyl or fabric.  
      The connection between the bottom half and the top half may be one or more hinges between the bottom half and the top half for opening and closing the apparatus, and one or more latches between the bottom half and the top half for securing the bottom half to the top half.  
      Alternatively, the connection between the bottom half and the top half may be outwardly re-entrant shielded edges on the bottom half and complementary inwardly re-entrant shielded edges on the top half. The top half is opened by sliding the top half relative to the bottom half.  
      In another embodiment, the connection between the bottom half and the top half may be recessed walls on the bottom half and complementary walls on the top half.  
      In another embodiment, an RFID shielding apparatus includes a bottom half of an enclosure, a top half of an enclosure, an overlapping connection between the bottom half and the top half, an enclosure space between the bottom half and the top half for holding enclosed RFID devices, shielding on inner surfaces or within the bottom half and the top half for completely attenuating wavelengths associated with the enclosed RFID devices, a shielded access covering an access opening in the top half, lugs on an underside of the top half for sliding the shielded access from an initial position to an open position and back to an initial position. The shielding on the bottom half and the top half and on the access opening and top overlap. The device may also include ridges on the shielded access for improving grip.  
      The connection between the bottom half and the top half may include one or more hinges between the bottom half and the top half for opening and closing the apparatus, and one or more latches between the bottom half and the top half for securing the bottom half to the top half.  
      One embodiment of the invention provides a wallet with a shield at least around the card receiving section. Preferably, the entire wallet is shielded. Shielding extends around a front, a bottom, a back, a hinge and a flap, as well as on the gusseted flexible sides.  
      These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross section of a first portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 3  is an open top view of an open first portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 4  is perspective view of a second portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 5  is a cross section of a top of the second portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 6  is a cross section of a bottom of the second portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 7  is perspective view of a third portable enclosure.  
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a side and end detail views of a top access in the third portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an open fourth portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 10  is a cross section of the base of the fourth portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 11  is a cross section of the cap of the fourth portable enclosure.  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an EM/RF shielded wallet for holding contactless smart cards. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Thee present invention is a portable enclosure with shielding completely surrounding the radio frequency identification (“RFID”) devices and openings having overlapping RFID shielding.  
       FIGS. 1-3  show a first embodiment of a portable enclosure  11 . The device  11  has a four-walled  13  flat base  15  and a four-walled  17  flat cover  19 . The flat base  15  and the flat cover  19  fit together to create an enclosed space  21 . Shielding  23  is located on an inner surface of or within the flat base  15  and the flat cover  19 . The shielding  23  is preferably, but not limited to, a metal wire knit or weave, solid metal, particulate matter, knit fabric or other material that may work by just weakening or attenuating the wavelengths associated with enclosed RFID devices. The shielding  23  creates a complete Faraday cage when closed. Base walls  13  overlap  39  with top walls  17 . The base  15  and the cover  19  are hinged together with one or more hinges  25  along corresponding edges  27  of the base  15  and the cover  19 . The opposite edges  29  of the base  15  and the cover  19  holds a slightly flexible latch  31  that snaps into engagement when closed. The latch  31  has a protrusion  33  that snaps over a catch  35 . Unfastening the latch  31  requires intentional lifting or dislodging of the latch  31  before opening the device  11 . One or more devices  37  with embedded RFID tags are stored within the enclosed space  21 .  
       FIGS. 4-6  show a second embodiment of a portable enclosure  41 . A base  43  has four walls  45  with outwardly re-entrant shielded edges  47 . A top  49  has complementary inwardly re-entrant shielded edges  51 . The top  49  is slid along the base  43  to retrieve or place devices  37  with embedded RFID within an enclosed space  55 . The top  49  may be slid either towards a front  59  or a rear  61  of the base  43  to open the device  41 . Shielding  57  is located on an inner surface or throughout the top  49  and the base  43 . When the device  41  is closed a complete Faraday cage is created and no RFID information is transmitted outside the device  41 .  
       FIGS. 7-8  show a third embodiment of a portable enclosure  71 . A shielded top  73  fits onto a shielded base  75 . A shielded access  77  slides along lugs  79  under the top  73  to open an access opening  81 . The shielded access  77  is slid back to an initial position to close the device  71 . The access opening  81  allows omni directional reading of an RFID tag. Shielded side walls  83  of the top  73  overlap shielded side walls  85  of the base  75 . The top  73  is hinged with a hinge  87  and latch  89  closure similar to the first embodiment. The hinging allows insertion and withdrawal of devices with embedded RFID tags. Ridges  91  on the shielded access  77  provide additional grip for a user&#39;s fingers. Shielding  93  prevents transmission of RFID information when the device  71  is closed. The device  71  is easy to open and prevents potential eavesdropping.  
       FIGS. 9-11  show a fourth embodiment of a portable enclosure  101 . The device  101  includes a case  103  with a base  121 , side walls  107  and an open end  105 . Upper walls  123  on the open end  105  of the case  103  are recessed  109 . A cover  111  has walls  113  that fit in the recesses  109  on the case  103 . Shielding  115  in the side walls  107 ,  113  creates a complete Faraday cage by overlapping. Devices  37  with embedded RFID tags are held within an opening  119  created by the interaction of the case  103  and cover  111 .  
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of an EM/RF shielded wallet  125  for holding contactless smart cards or other similar devices. The entire wallet  125  has shielding  127  between materials or is made of shielded materials. The wallet  125  has one or more openings for money  129 , an opening  131  to hold identification, and a clear plastic window  133  for viewing identification. Other openings  135  may be provided. Devices  37  with RFID are placed in slots  137  within the wallet  125 . A bottom flap  139  closes over the devices  37  in the slots  137  by folding or compressing gusseted flexible sides  141 . A top flap  143  folds down over the bottom flap  139  to create overlapping shielding. A top snap  145  is secured to a bottom snap  147  to hold the top flap  143  in contact with the bottom flap  139 . Other similar closure devices may be used.  
      While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.