EMI shielding containers

Abstract

Embodiments of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding containers are disclosed according to the present invention. The EMI shielding containers are especially useful for protecting sources of electronic evidence from EMI contamination prior to data extraction. However, the embodiments of EMI shielding containers of the present invention may be used in any context where a wireless device is to be shielded from transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals. Embodiments of methods of using EMI shielding containers to extract data from electronic devices are also disclosed.

1 . An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding container, comprising: 
 an outer layer comprising a metalized fabric having an inside and an outside;    an internal pocket comprising the metalized fabric disposed on the inside of the outer layer and configured for enclosing an electronic object; and    a closure formed along the periphery of the inside of the outer layer configured to collapse the inside of the outer layer on itself and around the internal pocket in a closed configuration and that is also releasable to gain access to the electronic object.    
     
     
         2 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for allowing an electrical interface to communicate with the electronic object within the EMI shielding container.  
     
     
         3 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the metalized fabric comprises at least one of: silver, nickel-silver, nickel-copper and nickel-copper-silver.  
     
     
         4 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal pocket is configured to hold an electronic object that is configured to communicate wirelessly.  
     
     
         5 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises hook and loop cloth fasteners.  
     
     
         6 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal pocket includes hook and loop cloth fasteners to close an opening to the internal pocket.  
     
     
         7 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure formed along the periphery of the inside of the outer layer is further configured to allow passage of an electrical interface to the electronic object within the internal pocket when the closure is in the closed configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The EMI shielding container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is configured to be folded generally along a center line.  
     
     
         9 . A portable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding container, comprising: 
 a metalized fabric covering;    a framework for supporting the metalized fabric covering to form a tent structure enclosing a room, the room configured large enough to contain a user, a data extraction device and an electronic object being shielded; and    a closable external opening in the metalized fabric covering allowing ingress and egress to the room, wherein the closable external opening is sealed with a flap of the metalized fabric covering.    
     
     
         10 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , wherein the metalized fabric covering comprises at least one of: silver, nickel-silver, nickel-copper and nickel-copper-silver.  
     
     
         11 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , wherein the closable external opening comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         12 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , further comprising a floor comprising metalized fabric.  
     
     
         13 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , wherein the framework comprises at least one of: light weight conductive carbon fiber, steel, aluminum, Kapton and fiberglass rods.  
     
     
         14 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 13 , wherein the rods are hollow.  
     
     
         15 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , wherein the framework is configured to suspend walls of the metalized fabric covering from inside of the room.  
     
     
         16 . The portable EMI shielding container according to  claim 9 , wherein the framework is configured to suspend walls of the metalized fabric covering from outside of the room.  
     
     
         17 . A method of using an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding container to extract forensic data from an electronic object, comprising: 
 providing an EMI shielding container;    providing a forensic data extractor;    placing the electronic object within the EMI shielding container;    connecting the forensic data extractor to the electronic object within the EMI shielding container; and    extracting forensic data from the electronic object.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein providing the EMI shielding container comprises providing an EMI shielding container including: 
 an outer layer comprising a metalized fabric having an inside and an outside;    an internal pocket comprising the metalized fabric disposed on the inside of the outer layer and configured for enclosing the electronic object; and    a closure formed along the periphery of the inside of the outer layer configured to collapse the inside of the outer layer on itself and around the internal pocket in a closed configuration and that is also releasable to gain access to the electronic object.    
     
     
         19 . A method of using a portable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding container to extract forensic data from an electronic object, comprising: 
 providing a portable EMI shielding container;    providing a forensic data extractor;    placing a user, the electronic object and the forensic data extractor within the portable EMI shielding container;    connecting the forensic data extractor to the electronic object; and    extracting the forensic data from the electronic object.    
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein providing the portable EMI shielding container comprises providing a portable EMI shielding container including: 
 a metalized fabric;    a framework for supporting the metalized fabric to form a tent structure forming a room, the room configured large enough to contain a user, a data acquisition device and an electronic object being shielded; and    a closable opening in the metalized fabric allowing ingress and egress to the room.