# US 9,519,853 B2 · Wearable, non-visible identification device for friendly force identification and intruder detection

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- Number: US 9,519,853 B2
- Document ID: US9519853B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/069,586
- Filed: 2013-11-01
- Published: 2015-05-07
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-01
- Applicants: James P Tolle
- Inventors: James P Tolle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9519853B2

## CPC

- G06K 19/07758: {arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag}
- H04W 12/33: using wearable devices, e.g. using a smartwatch or smart-glasses
- G01S 17/74: Systems using reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
- G06F 21/31: User authentication
- G06Q 10/00: Administration; Management
- H04W 12/06: Authentication
- G06F 21/86: Secure or tamper-resistant housings
- H04L 63/0853: {using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234)}
- H04L 63/108: {when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time}
- H04W 12/47: using near field communication [NFC] or radio frequency identification [RFID] modules
- H04W 12/61: Time-dependent
- H04W 12/65: Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE

## Abstract

A wearable, non-visible identification device that provides reliable, tamper proof, friendly-force identification and intruder detection. The device is integrated as a part of the wearer's uniform and includes a user input surface for periodic entry of a unit- or user-defined pass code. A timeout capability prevents the device and its identification signal from being used if the pass code is not entered within the specified time period. The preferred embodiment uses non-visible optical identification signals for 1-way identification using standard tactical equipment, making the device useful in the field during operations or at temporary security control points away from established bases. Alternative embodiments use radio-frequency, visible and reflective identification signals. All embodiments use identification signaling methods which are effective at safe stand-off distances to minimize the threat to security personnel. The device also supports identification at tactical distances to support identification in the field. Very low cost and low power embodiments for use by security forces in developing nations are described. This invention provides a novel and improved means for defeat of the threat of adversaries or insurgents exploiting stolen or fake uniforms to attack friendly forces.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tamperproof identification device comprising:
an article of clothing;
a user interface mounted on a substrate for entering a passcode and generating an input signal;
a processor mounted on the substrate for receiving the input signal from the user interface and verifying the passcode, and for providing an identification signal to verify the validity of a user of the article of clothing;
a power source coupled to the processor;
a timer coupled to the processor and substrate to determine an elapsed time from the confirmation of the passcode; and
an electrically-sensitive thread for securing the substrate and its coupled components to the article of clothing and coupled to the processor wherein the identification signal is only generated when the processor verifies that the entered passcode is valid and the elapsed time determined by the timer has not exceeded a predetermined time, and the electrically-sensitive thread has not detected tampering.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 further comprising a sensor attached to the article of clothing to sense an emission of an interrogation signal and generating the identification signal in response to sensing the interrogation signal wherein the processor disables the return signal if the processor determines that the interrogation signal is not valid or not received.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator coupled to the processor to provide an alert that the processor is not providing the identification signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 wherein the user interface is a keyboard.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is part of a uniform.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 5 wherein the identification signal is infrared light.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 5 wherein the identification signal is ultraviolet light.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 5 wherein the identification signal is visible light.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 5 wherein the identification signal is a change in the reflectivity of a portion of the uniform.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 wherein the user interface is a fingerprint reader and the passcode is a fingerprint of the user.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tamperproof identification device in claim 1 wherein the electrically-sensitive thread traverses an arc surrounding the substrate and the coupled components so that tampering is detected when the thread is broken.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method of identifying friendly forces comprising:
attaching the tamperproof identification device in claim 1 to a person;
entering by the person the passcode and verifying the passcode;
determining if the elapsed time after confirmation of the passcode has not exceeded the predetermined time;
transmitting the identification signal at the article of clothing if the entered passcode is verified by the processor and determined to be valid and the elapsed time determined by the timer has not exceeded a predetermined time, and the electrically-sensitive thread has not detected tampering; and
receiving the transmitted signal from the article of clothing and identifying the person as friendly forces if the received signal is verified to be valid.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of identifying friendly forces in claim 12 further comprising detecting an interrogation signal at the article of clothing and enabling the transmission of the identification signal only if the interrogation signal is valid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of identifying friendly forces in claim 12 wherein the received signal is verified by a sentry to determine if access to a location should be granted.