| abstract |
An RFID device includes a first, relatively permanent portion and a second alterable or inactivatable portion. Upon the occurrence of some predetermined event, the second portion and/or its coupling to the first portion is physically altered, inactivating it. The first portion may itself be an antennaless RFID device that may be read at short range, and the second portion may be an antenna that, when coupled to the first portion, substantially increases the range at which the first portion may be read. The second portion may be configured to be altered or inactivated by any of a variety of predetermined events, such as involving physical, chemical or electrical forces, performed either on the RFID device, or upon an object to which the RFID device is coupled. |