Identification band using a conductive fastening for enhanced security and functionality

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 in the band. The transponder includes and RFID circuit, such as may be formed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an antenna. In the present invention, the tamper-resistant fastening serves additional functions beyond securing the opposite end regions of the band together. Namely, the fastening can be made of a conductive material and designed to create electrical continuity between multiple conductors to enable or disable certain circuit functionality. In one variation, this continuity allows the excess tail portion of the wristband to be cut without disrupting circuit functionality. In another variation, the fastening mechanism is designed to crimp conductors together. In yet another embodiment, the RFID circuit itself is wholly or partially formed within the fastening mechanism to better protect and support the circuit, as well as to make it more difficult to defeat the tamper-resistant functionality of the device.

1 . An identification apparatus, comprising:
 a band;   an RFID transponder, comprised of an RFID circuit and an antenna disposed on the band;   a fastening mechanism for joining the band in a closed loop; and said fastening mechanism including at least two elements such that the fastening mechanism creates electrical continuity at a selected point of fastening for enabling the RFID circuit when said fastening mechanism joins said band in the closed loop.