Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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NEWBORN ANTI-ABDUCTION RFID TAG SECURING SYSTEM
SPECIFICATION
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel device and method in the general field of
newborn abduction
prevention, and more specifically to a tamper-proof RFID tag securely attached
to a newborn's
umbilical clamp. The RFID perimeter system triggers an alarm when a tagged and
clamped infant
is removed from an RFID secured area without authorization, or when the RFID
tag
tamperproofing is breached by attempts to remove the tag from the clamp, or
remove the clamp
from the infant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The basic problem to be solved: there is a legitimate risk that newborn
infants can be abducted
from a hospital or caregivers, and that identification and monitoring systems
are insufficient to
defeat such crimes. A newborn begins its life in the hospital with a clamp
fastened around its
umbilical cord, and this is the common means used to identify the newborn
throughout this initial
period, usually by adding some visual identifier to the clamp, such as a
unique number, color
coding, etc. Visual identification systems require alert security personnel to
match the correct
infants with their parents or caregivers, especially when trying to prevent
abductions from secure
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areas. These systems can be defeated by simple means such as baby or ID
swapping, forgery,
distraction, or coercion. Anti-abduction systems based solely on physical tag
matching such as
that taught in U.S. Patent # 6212808, Safety identification assembly and
method, are insufficient,
and are currently being superseded by more reliable Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID)
methods as outlined below.
Prior art RFID methods may be divided into those which employ physical ID
matching systems
with RFID perimeter security devices; and those which employ RFID perimeter
security devices
but use either the RFID devices, or other means, to identify those authorized
to remove an infant
from a secured zone. RFID with physical ID matching systems include those
taught by U.S.
Patent # 5006830, Method and device for deterring the unauthorized removal of
a newborn from
a defined area (expires Oct, 2009), employing both umbilical and wristband
RFID tags that
determine who has authority to remove a specific infant from the secure area.
U.S. Patent #
5608382, Infant identification and security apparatus, employs storage modules
embedded in
both wrist and umbilical tags, and which must be read by password protected
terminals stationed
at secured zone exits. In both these examples it is not difficult to tamper
with or defeat the
security measures employed, by removing, or swapping the tags, and or using
another's
password, to gain unauthorized egress from the secured zone.
Another category of umbilical RFID tagging systems is taught by U.S. Patent #
4899134,
Newborn Anti-theft device, wherein sensors are placed at exits and throughout
different secured
zones which detects an embedded RF transmitter, or magnetic marker material,
but again these
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devices may be removed or disabled by enclosing in an RF shielding material
such as tin foil.
Another example is taught by U.S. Patent # 5440295, Apparatus and Method for
preventing
unauthorized removal of a newborn infant from a predetermined area, where the
transponder of
the RFID system is easily blocked or removed. Both systems do not require
lockout systems as in
the previous examples, but are monitoring systems, so that when they are
defeated, the abduction
is made easier because people assume that the infant is in the hands of an
authorized person.
A solution is therefore needed that employs the use of RFID methods to control
egress from
secured zones by only those authorized to remove correctly identified and
tagged infants, but also
which is easily attached, difficult to remove, and preferably tamperproof in a
hidden way -
thereby making it practically impossible to remove an infant without proper
observation,
recording, and if necessary, perimeter lockdown when an abduction is
attempted. The following
summary describes a novel solution to these unresolved issues.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed device and method is designed to provide an RFID tag that is
tenaciously secured
to a newborn's umbilical clamp, and which triggers an alarm if tampered with
or if the umbilical
clamp is removed from the newborn. By this means, once a newborn is tagged
with this device,
a potential abductor will trigger the RFID perimeter alarm system when a
tagged and clamped
infant is removed from an RFID secured area without authorization, or when the
RFID tag
tamperproofing is breached by any attempts to remove the tag, remove the tag
from the clamp, or
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remove the clamp from the infant.
With this new device, the method that prevents the abductor from removing the
tagged umbilical
clamp from a newborn is not the fear of potential harm to the newborn, but the
fear of being
caught when the device triggers an alarm when any attempt is made to remove it
from the
newborn.
Another advantage of this system is that the existing RFID technology can be
used with both
locator systems as well as perimeter protection systems, but tampering with
the systems or
devices raises an alarm.
The device in its basic form uses a tether with a one-way mechanical snap that
locks the tether
around a member forming an aperture on an umbilical clamp. The tether is
affixed to an RFID
tag, or to an encasement for such a tag. The RFID electronic circuits are
typically embedded in a
permanent enclosure. The enclosure and its embedded electronics are referred
to hereinafter as
the RFID tag. The RFID tag may be enclosed in an encasement as described
below.
In a major enhancement of the invention, with an encasement for the tag being
tethered to an
umbilical clamp, the encasement and the tag cooperate to effect a hidden
tamperproofing system.
This is achieved by having an optical transmitter and an optical receiver
continually test the
reception of a reflective beam from a surface of the encasement. If the
encasement is opened, or
if the optics are sufficiently disturbed to break the optical circuit, an
alarm signal can be sent.
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The invention is thus an RFID tag securing system, comprising a loop
securement member
affixed to an RFID tag, or to an encasement for an RFID tag, the member having
a one-way
mechanical snap that locks the loop securement member around a clamp member
forming an
aperture on an umbilical clamp.
In a preferred embodiment the electronic circuits of the RFID tag are embedded
in a permanent
enclosure, and the enclosure is encased in a closable encasement that provides
security for the
RFID enclosure until the encasement is opened and disposed of by personnel and
under
conditions authorized by the RFID detection system. The encasement is
eventually disposable
and enables re-use of the RFID tag that has been encased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG 1. shows an isometric top view of an open RFID tag encasement.
FIG 2. shows an isometric top view of a closed RFID tag encasement.
FIG 3. shows an isometric top view of a closed RFID tag encasement secured to
the loop of an
umbilical clamp.
Fig 4. shows a top view of a closed RFID tag encasement secured to the loop of
an umbilical
clamp.
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FIG 5. shows a side view of a closed RFID tag encasement secured to the loop
of an umbilical
clamp.
FIG 6. shows an isometric bottom view of an open RFID tag encasement.
FIG 7. shows a top view of an open RFID tag encasement.
FIG 8. shows a side view of an open RFID tag encasement.
FIG 9. shows a closeup side view of the optical tamper-proof elements housed
in the RFID tag
encasement.
FIG 10. shows an isometric top view of an RFID tag enclosure, with a securing
loop tether.
FIG 11. shows a side view of an RFID tag enclosure secured to an umbilical
clamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
By reference to the figures shown and listed below, all elements of the
invention will now be
introduced, and then the nature of how each element functions and interacts
with each other
element will be described.
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Fig. 1 shows an isometric top view of an open RFID tag encasement 20, whose
basic elements
include the encasement top 22 with its flanged lip 28 which fits onto the
corresponding lip guide
30 in the top edge of the encasement bottom 24, by folding their connecting
flexible hinge 26. In
order to reliably secure an umbilical clamp 12 (see Fig. 3) to the tag
encasement 20 and at the
same time prevent anyone from opening the tag encasement 20 once it has been
properly closed,
several elements must be employed together as follows.
As shown in Fig. 3, the clamp loop 18 must be first positioned such it the
loop securement
member 40 -- which protrudes from the base of the platform 50, and which is
reinforced by the
loop cordon 52 - protrudes through the clamp loop. When the encasement top 22
is folded along
the hinge 26 to fit over the encasement bottom 24, the securement catch 42 at
the top of the loop
securement member 40 locks into the catch securement hole 44 in the securement
cap 46. The
securement plug 48 prevents one from unlocking the tag encasement 20, once the
securement
catch 42 is locked into its corresponding catch securement hole 44, by
preventing lateral
movement of the loop securement member.
Fig. 2 shows an isometric top view of the resulting locked and tamperproof
RFID tag encasement
20, a view which reveals the loop securement member 40 in its locked position.
Fig. 3 shows the tamperproof RFID tag encasement system from an isometric top
view of the
locked RFID tag encasement 20 secured by the proximal clamp loop 18 of the
umbilical clamp
12. (RFID tag PCB with optical tamperproof elements are inside the tag
encasement) Also
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shown are the clamp arms 14 which extend from the clamp loop 18, which then
compresses the
newborn's umbilical cord in the clamp jaws 54, which are then locked by the
end securement 16
at the clamp end 56. The end securement 16 may employ a similar means as used
to lock the tag
encasement 20, or may employ a one way plug and hole or any equivalent
securement means
which ensure that the once the tether is locked around the umbilical clamp, it
cannot be readily
removed.
Figs. 4 and 5 show top and side views, respectively, of the same elements
described above in
order to more fully illustrate the tag encasement 20 and how it is secured to
the umbilical clamp
12 by means of its loop 18.
Figs. 6 through 8 show bottom isometric, top, and side views, respectively, of
the open RFID tag
encasement 20, and serve to more fully illustrate all aspects of said
encasement 20.
Fig. 9 shows a closeup side view of the optical tamper-proof elements housed
in the RFID tag
encasement 20. The RFID tag printed circuit board (PCB) 32 is shown without
its enclosure - in
the encasement 24, and shows the optical transmitter 34 and optical receiver
36 pair housed on
its upper surface. In a working embodiment, the RFID tag printed circuit board
(PCB) 32 would
be inside a transparent or partially transparent tag enclosure, so that the
optical transmitter 34 and
optical receiver 36 work with respect to ray 62. The tag enclosure (shown in
Figures 10 and 11)
functions to protect the RFID tag printed circuit board (PCB) 32 whether the
enclosure is placed
inside an encasement 24 or merely attached as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The
inside surface of
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the encasement top 22 is a reflective surface 38 that maintains the optical
pathway of the energy
ray 62 from the transmitter 34 to the receiver 36. As long as the encasement
top 22 is locked in
place, the optical pathway is maintained, but when the pathway is broken by
tampering or forced
removal of the clamp arm 14, which can only be possible by the opening of the
tag encasement
20, the RFID tag PCB 32 signals to the perimeter containment system that the
integrity of a tag
encasement 20 has been breached, so that appropriate protective measures may
be taken.
Fig. 10 shows an isometric top view of an RFID tag permanent enclosure 21, in
which the loop
securement member is a flexible tether 58 that is locked into the catch
securement hole 44 of the
catch securement block 60. Fig. 11 shows a side view of the RFID tag permanent
enclosure 21
secured thereby to the clamp loop 18 of an umbilical clamp 12. The flexible
loop tether example
of the invention can likewise be used on an encasement (such as shown in
Figures 1 - 9) for the
RFID tag enclosure, providing the option of the optical tamperproof system in
cooperation with
an optical transmitter and optical receiver built into a transparent RFID tag
enclosure.
Should the design of the clamp loop 18 need to be modified, the various
elements that secure the
clamp loop 18 to the tag enclosure 20 may be modified to maintain encasement
20 integrity, and
tamper-proof capability.
The preferred embodiment of the Newborn Anti-abduction Tamper-proof RFID
system will now
be described in detail. Related elements will therefore be grouped into
functional units, namely
encasement related elements, the loop securement mechanism, the tamper-proof
system, and the
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RFID perimeter security and identification system.
FURTHER ENCASEMENT DETAIL
The tag encasement 20 contains the RFID Tag PCB 32, with its optical
tamperproof elements
(see Fig. 9), and provides a structure for the loop securement system elements
to prevent
tampering without triggering an alarm. The encasement lip 28 and lip guide 30
of a properly
locked tag encasement 20 seals and protects an RFID tag enclosure from
environmental factors
present while attached to newborn (e.g. blood from umbilical cord, etc.) No
existing method
provides the capability to reuse the RFID tag enclosure without sterilization
after each use, in
order to prevent cross-contamination between infants.
The disposable tag encasement 20 consists of the encasement bottom 24 and the
encasement top
22 which are held together with a flexibile link or hinge 26, as shown best in
Figs. 7 & 8. This
link is flexibile enough to allow two parts to fold together and create the
closed tag encasement
20 in which the RFID tag enclosure and optical tamperproof elements reside
when in use.
FURTHER LOOP SECUREMENT MECHANISM DETAIL
This mechanism, which is critical for ensuring that the tamper-proof elements
sound the alarm
when the tag system is breached, include elements attached to the encasement
bottom 24 and top
22 respectively. On the bottom 24, as shown in Fig. 1 is the loop securement
member 40 with its
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securement catches 42, seated on the platform 50, and reinforced by the loop
cordon 52. On the
top 22, is the securement cap 46, the catch securement hole 44, and the
securement plug 48. As
shown in Fig. 3, the clamp loop 18 must first be slid around the loop
securement member 40, and
then the securement cap 46 is pressed firmly onto its securement catches 42,
so that the tag
encasement 20 is now securely locked. This provides a method of RFID Tag
attachment to the
clamp loop 18 of an umbilical clamp 12 which ensures that the only way remove
the tag
encasement 20 is by forcing it open. Since the tag encasement 20 holds the
anti-tamper
mechanism, forcing it open triggers an alarm.
Tamperproof System
As shown in Fig. 9, the tamperproof system is comprised of an optical
transmitter 34 which
projects a ray 62, either visible light or infrared, towards the reflective
surface on the inside of
the encasement top 22, and which can be seen by the optical receiver 36,
thereby completing a
sensing loop which detects whether the encasement top 22 is securely in place.
When the tag encasement 20 is opened, the receiver 36 cannot detect the
reflected ray 62 and
declares through the RFID system that someone is tampering with the tag
encasement 20 which
is transmitted to the rest of the RFID system by means of RF communication. As
outlined
previously, if someone attempts to remove the encasement 20 from the clamp 12,
or the clamp
from the newborn, they must open the encasement 20 to do this, and thereby
trigger the tamper
alarm.
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FURTHER RFID TAG SYSTEM DETAIL
The RFID tag system is part of a perimeter securement system that ensures that
only those with
passwords or other means of identification can move a specifically tagged
newborn from one
secured zone to another, or out of a secured zone. The present invention
prevents a potential
abductor from tampering with or defeating the RFID tag system by removing the
tag, or
swapping the tag, or swapping babies.
Various objects of the Newborn Anti-abduction Tamper-proof RFID System will
now be listed,
namely that the system provides:
a) a means and method of secure attachment of RFID Tags to an umbilical clamp;
b) a means and method of encasing the RFID Tag into a disposable encasement;
c) a means and method that prevent or thwart attempts to remove, switch, or
defeat the perimeter
securement capabilities of RFID Tags attached to umbilical clamps;
d) a means and method of secure attachment of an RFID Tag to an umbilical
clamp by using a
loop securement mechanism;
e) a means and method of detecting RFID Tag removal from the umbilical clamp
by using a
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secure Tag which employs an optical transmitter receiver pair which detects
the absence of
reflected rays to tell the RFID perimeter securement system when a tag
encasement has been
opened;
f) RFID tag and tamperproof elements that are integrated into the tag
enclosure, thereby
preventing removal from the encasement or from the umbilical clamp or
disarming without
notice.
FURTHER UTILITY AND ADVANTAGES DETAIL
The primary use for this invention is with active RFID Tags used within Real
Time Location and
Perimeter Protection systems which are deployed for the purpose of infant
abduction prevention.
None of the disclosed prior art methods provide a robust anti-tamper
capability. The only
consideration that prevents RFID Tag removal from the baby is a fear of
harming the baby. A
person knowledgeable in handling newborns can easily overcome this obstacle
and remove the
RFID Tag from the baby, rendering protection systems useless.
None of the existing methods provide the capability of reusing the RFID Tag
without a need to
sterilize the tag after each use. Existing methods have a tag attached
directly to umbilical clamp
or directly to an umbilical cord. The umbilical clamp and the umbilical cord
get into direct
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contact with cord blood and must be sterilized in order to prevent cross-
contamination between
infants.
Prior mechanisms in this field that are currently commercially available can
be securely attached
to the clamp only while the clamp is attached to an umbilical cord. This
prohibits Tag attachment
to the clamp before the clamp is attached to an infant. Currently available
mechanism enables
Tag attachment to umbilical clamp in a way where the Tag is positioned under
the clamp or
above the clamp. When positioned under the clamp, the tag is pushing the clamp
and umbilical
cord upwards and creating undesirable tension between umbilical cord and the
body. When
positioned above the clamp, the Tag is unbalanced and again, it creates
undesirable tension
between umbilical cord and the body when it tips over on one side or the
other. The present
invention does not present any of these health or security issues.
ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
One alternate embodiment of the disclosed device is shown in Fig.'s 10 & 11
which employs a
flexible loop concept whereby a loop tether 58 engages its proximal securement
catch 42 into a
catch securement block as shown. Other embodiments are not ruled out or
similar methods
leading to the same result.
The preferred materials for constructing this invention primarily include, but
are not limited to,
rigid or semi rigid plastics, thermoplastics, or similar materials that have
sufficient resiliency to
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prevent breaching the tag enclosure, and are able to be sterilized to hospital
standards when
required.
The foregoing description of the preferred apparatus and method of
implementation should be
considered as illustrative only, and not limiting. Other forming techniques
and other materials
may be employed towards similar ends. Various changes and modifications will
occur to those
skilled in the art, without departing from the true scope of the invention as
defined in the above
disclosure, and the following general claims.
