Visual identification tag deactivation

Abstract

A device for deactivating an RFID portion on an identification tag and indicating that the RFID portion is deactivated. The present invention addresses current privacy concerns regarding potential use of RFID technology after the point of sale. The device for deactivating the RFID portion of an identification tag provides visual indication that the RFID portion is deactivated. The visual indication occurs without the use of additional equipment or electronics. The visual indication component of the present invention is easy to interpret, so that a viewer will be able to quickly determine whether the RFID portion of the identification tag has been deactivated.

1 . An identification tag comprising:
 an RFID portion; and   a deactivation portion;   wherein the deactivation portion is configured to deactivate at least part of the RFID portion.   
     
     
         2 . The identification tag of  claim 1  wherein the frequency response of the RFID portion is changed in response to the deactivation portion deactivating at least part of the RFID portion. 
     
     
         3 . The identification tag of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID portion comprises:
 a circuit chip portion; and   an antenna portion.   
     
     
         4 . The identification tag of  claim 3 , wherein the deactivation portion is configured to deactivate at least a part of the antenna portion. 
     
     
         5 . The identification tag of  claim 1 , wherein the deactivation portion comprises a visual indication of deactivation, and wherein the visual indication of deactivation is presented in response to the deactivation portion deactivating at least a part of the RFID portion. 
     
     
         6 . The identification tag of  claim 1 , wherein the deactivation portion comprises a fuse. 
     
     
         7 . The identification tag of  claim 6 , wherein at least a part of the RFID portion is deactivated in response to the fuse being broken. 
     
     
         8 . The identification tag of  claim 7 , wherein the fuse is configured to provide a visual indication of deactivation of at least part of the RFID portion. 
     
     
         9 . The identification tag of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a visual indication of deactivation, wherein the visual indication of deactivation is presented in response to at least a part of the RFID portion being deactivated.   
     
     
         10 . An identification tag comprising:
 an electronic circuit; and   a deactivation device;   wherein the deactivation device is configured to deactivate at least a part of the electronic circuit portion.   
     
     
         11 . The identification tag of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic circuit portion comprises an RFID portion. 
     
     
         12 . The identification tag of  claim 12 , wherein the RFID portion comprises a first frequency response, and wherein the RFID portion comprises a second frequency response, different from the first frequency response, in response to at least a part of the RFID portion being deactivated. 
     
     
         13 . The identification tag of  claim 10 , wherein the deactivation device is a fuse. 
     
     
         14 . The identification tag of  claim 10 , wherein the deactivation device is a tear strip. 
     
     
         15 . An identification tag comprising:
 an RFID portion; and   a deactivation device, wherein the deactivation device is configured to deactivate at least a part of the RFID portion in response to a user manipulating the deactivation device.   
     
     
         16 . The identification tag of  claim 15 , further comprising a visual indication of deactivation, wherein the visual indication of deactivation is presented in response to a user manipulating the deactivation device. 
     
     
         17 . The identification tag of  claim 16 , wherein the RFID portion comprises a circuit chip and an antenna. 
     
     
         18 . The identification tag of  claim 17 , wherein the deactivation device is a mechanism by which at least a portion of the antenna is separated from the circuit chip. 
     
     
         19 . The identification tag of  claim 15 , wherein the deactivation device is a fuse. 
     
     
         20 . The identification tag of  claim 15 , wherein the deactivation device is a tear strip.