IP Library › Granted Patent US 12688763
Granted Patent B2
US 12688763 · App. 18/445,821 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Tamper-resistant security for artworks and collectibles

Inventors: Steven Halliwell (Irvington, NY); Anne Halliwell (Irving, NY)
G08B13/06G08B13/2434
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12688763
App. No.
18/445,821
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An effective battery-less tamper-resistant security device can be affixed to an artwork or collectible by a heat-activated non-invasive non-destructive adhesive such as high melt point BEVA. The security device includes a label and a transceiver technology chip (e.g. RFID and/or NFC) and an antenna (e.g. printed using conductive ink). One or more layers of sensors, such as a temperature sensor, may also be provided. A high peel strength adhesive compatible with the heat-activated adhesive attaches the security device to the heat-activated adhesive and thus the artwork. The security device can detect and report nefarious use of solvents, heat, bending, tearing, or physical removal. Methods of manufacture and utilization of the anti-tamper security device are also provided.

Claims (45)

1 . A battery-less tamper-resistant security device adhesively affixable to a surface of an artwork or collectible by an appropriate adhesive comprising:

a transceiver technology chip and antenna; and

a label operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna;

wherein said transceiver technology chip and antenna send responses to signaling by a signaling device to said security device and report its status as nominal or having been tampered with;

wherein said security device is sensitive to physical tampering or removal so that if a solvent is applied thereto affecting said antenna, or if bent, torn, or removed, said security device will report its status as having been tampered with; and further comprising

high melt point ethylene vinyl acetate non-invasive non-destructive heat activated adhesive associated with said label and said transceiver technology chip and antenna, said adhesive affixed to a surface of an artwork or collectible.

2 . A security device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a high peel strength adhesive between said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive and said transceiver technology chip and antenna.

3 . A security device as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least a temperature sensor operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna so that said temperature sensor will indicate if the temperature sensed is greater than a predetermined level less than the melt point of said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive and if so will report its status as having been tampered with.

4 . A security device as recited in claim 1 wherein said transceiver technology chip is selected from the group consisting essentially of RFID chips, NFC chips, and both RFID and NFC chips.

5 . A security device as recited in claim 2 further comprising at least one electrically conductive element sensitive to bending or tearing operatively connected to said chip and antenna and further comprising a third adhesive connecting said electrically conductive element to said label, said third adhesive having a peel strength enough less than that of said high peel strength adhesive so that if said security device is bent or torn said electrically conductive element will break and said security device will report its status as tampered with.

6 . A security device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said high peel strength adhesive comprises a rubber resin adhesive compatible with high melt point ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive.

7 . A security device as recited in claim 1 wherein said chip is mounted on a substrate.

8 . A security device as recited in claim 7 wherein said substrate is paper having top and bottom surfaces and wherein said top surface has human readable identifier information provided thereon.

9 . A battery-less tamper-resistant security device adhesively affixable to a surface of an artwork or collectible by an appropriate adhesive comprising:

a transceiver technology chip and antenna; and

a label operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna;

wherein said transceiver technology chip and antenna send responses to signaling by a signaling device to said security device and report its status as nominal or having been tampered with;

wherein said security device is sensitive to physical tampering or removal so that if a solvent is applied thereto affecting said antenna, or if bent, torn, or removed, said security device will report its status as having been tampered with;

a non-invasive non-destructive heat activated adhesive associated with said label and said transceiver technology chip and antenna, said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive affixed to a surface of an artwork or collectible; and

at least a temperature sensor operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna so that said temperature sensor will indicate if the temperature sensed is greater than a predetermined level less than the melt point of said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive and if so will report its status as having been tampered with.

10 . A battery-less tamper-resistant security device adhesively affixable to a surface of an artwork or collectible by an appropriate adhesive comprising:

a transceiver technology chip and antenna;

a label operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna;

wherein said transceiver technology chip and antenna send responses to signaling by a signaling device to said security device and report its status as nominal or having been tampered with;

wherein said security device is sensitive to physical tampering or removal so that if a solvent is applied thereto affecting said antenna, or if bent, torn, or removed, said security device will report its status as having been tampered with;

a non-invasive non-destructive heat activated adhesive associated with said label and said transceiver technology chip and antenna, said adhesive affixed to a surface of an artwork or collectible;

a high peel strength adhesive between said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive and said transceiver technology chip and antenna; and

at least one electrically conductive element sensitive to bending or tearing operatively connected to said chip and antenna and further comprising a third adhesive connecting said electrically conductive element to said label, said third adhesive having a peel strength enough less than that of said high peel strength adhesive so that if said security device is bent or torn said electrically conductive element will break and said security device will report its status as tampered with.

11 . A security device as recited in claim 9 wherein said chip is mounted on a paper substrate having top and bottom surfaces and wherein said top surface has human readable identifier information provided thereon.

12 . A security device as recited in claim 10 further comprising a conductive loop surrounding said chip and operatively connected to said chip at terminals.

13 . A security device as recited in claim 12 wherein said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive is high melt point ethylene vinyl acetate.

14 . A security device as recited in claim 10 wherein said chip is mounted on a paper substrate having top and bottom surfaces and wherein said top surface has human readable identifier information provided thereon.

15 . A security device as recited in claim 12 wherein said non-invasive non- destructive adhesive is high melt point ethylene vinyl acetate.

16 . A security device as recited in claim 9 wherein said transceiver technology chip is selected from the group consisting essentially of NFC chips, and both RFID and NFC chips.

17 . A security device as recited in claim 10 wherein said transceiver technology chip is selected from the group consisting essentially of NFC chips, and both RFID and NFC chips.

18 . A security device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a conductive loop surrounding said chip and operatively connected to said chip at terminals.

19 . A security device as recited in claim 9 further comprising a conductive loop surrounding said chip and operatively connected to said chip at terminals.

20 . A battery-less tamper-resistant security device adhesively affixable to a surface of an artwork or collectible by an appropriate adhesive comprising:

a transceiver technology chip and antenna; and

a label operatively connected to said transceiver technology chip and antenna;

wherein said transceiver technology chip and antenna send responses to signaling by a signaling device to said security device and report its status as nominal or having been tampered with;

wherein said security device is sensitive to physical tampering or removal so that if a solvent is applied thereto affecting said antenna, or if bent, torn, or removed, said security device will report its status as having been tampered with;

a non-invasive non-destructive heat activated adhesive associated with said label and said transceiver technology chip and antenna, said adhesive affixed to a surface of an artwork or collectible;

a high peel strength adhesive between said non-invasive non-destructive adhesive and said transceiver technology chip and antenna; and

wherein said high peel strength adhesive comprises a rubber resin adhesive compatible with high melt point ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive.