RFID PROTECTION DEVICE, AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20090174556A1
• Filed: 03/18/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curio Ltd
• Original Assignee: Curio Ltd
• Inventors: Adams, James C., Horne, Gregory L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,102,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.300
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07336 Active means, e.g. jamming or scrambling of the electromagnetic field

Abstract

Devices and methods of preventing data transfer between an RFID reader and an RFID device to be protected, are provided. An example of an embodiment of an RFID signal capture device includes a container, a signal capture circuit configured to substantially disrupt the signal provided by the RFID reader when the RFID signal capture device is positioned to protect the RFID device, and an interrogation indictor configured to indicate to a user of the RFID device that an unauthorized RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID device when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID device to provide protection thereto and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) signal capture device to prevent data transfer between a nearby RFID reader and at least one RFID device including one or more RFID transponders storing data and configured to inductively couple with the RFID reader to provide data thereto when interrogated therewith, the RFID signal capture device comprising:

a container;

a signal capture circuit carried by the container and configured to mutually inductively couple with the one or more RFID transponders when positioned in close proximity thereto and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders, to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the signal capture circuit including;

a signal capture circuit antenna assembly positioned to receive the interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, and

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a modified carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders; and

an interrogation indicator carried by the container and configured to indicate to a user of the at least one RFID device including the one or more RFID transponders when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders, the interrogator indicator including;

an interrogation indicator antenna positioned to receive the interrogation signal from the RFID reader, and

an indicator comprising one or more of the following types of indicators;

an audible indicator and a visual indicator, configured to indicate to the user of the RFID transponder that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

2. A device as defined in claim 1,

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured to mutually inductively couple with the RFID reader when positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader;

and

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to an RFID transponder, the RFID signal capture device will not interfere with operation of the RFID reader.

3. A device as defined in claim 2,

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured to mutually inductively couple with the one or more RFID transponders when positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the one or more RFID transponders is producing a reply to interrogation signal responsive to an interrogation by the RFID reader to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader;

and

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device will not inductively couple with either of the following;

the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders.

4. A device as defined in claim 1,

wherein the signal capture circuit antenna assembly comprises an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna assembly having an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna;

wherein the one or more RFID transponders comprise a plurality of RFID transponders each positioned in close proximity to the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna of the signal capture circuit when the RFID signal capture device is operably positioned to protect the plurality of RFID transponders so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of each of the plurality of RFID transponders;

wherein each of the plurality of REID transponders store one or more of the following types of data;

unique personal data, a unique indicator usable to access personal data, unique financial data, and a unique indicator usable to access financial data;

wherein the at least one RFID device includes a plurality of RFID devices each carrying a separate one or more of the plurality of RFID transponders; and

wherein the signal capture circuit is adapted to mutually inductively couple with both the RFID reader and at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders responsive to being positioned in close proximity to the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders to disrupt an interrogation response field associated with the at least one of the plurality of transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of RFID transponders.

5. A device as defined in claim 4,

wherein the signal capture circuit is adapted to simultaneously mutually inductively couple with each of the plurality of RFID transponders responsive to being positioned in close proximity to each of the plurality of RFID transponders so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of each of the plurality of RFID transponders, and responsive to each of the RFID transponders separately producing a reply to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between each of the plurality of RFID transponders and the RFID reader when the interrogation signal is insufficiently disrupted and data carried in the interrogation signal is received by the plurality of RFID transponders.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the modified carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer includes a phase-adjusted carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders.

7. A device as defined in claim 6,

wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal to thereby facilitate the phase adjustment;

and

wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer has a phase shift of at least approximately 90 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal to thereby effectively prevent the data transfer between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders.

8. A device as defined in claim 7,

wherein the interrogation indicator further comprises a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational interrogation indicator power responsive to the interrogation signal;

wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal; and

wherein the RFID signal capture device does not include a battery to power the signal capture circuit.

9. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal has a phase shift of approximately 180 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal.

10. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein the signal capture circuit further includes:

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the phase-adjusted carrier signal, the data modulated signal having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

11. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal capture circuit further includes:

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the synchronized carrier signal, the data modulation having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

12. A device as defined in claim 1,

wherein the modified carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer includes a synchronized carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders;

and

wherein the signal capture circuit further includes a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal.

13. A radio frequency identification (RFID) signal capture device to prevent data transfer between a nearby RFID reader and an RFID device including an RFID transponder storing data and configured to inductively couple with the RFID reader to provide data thereto when interrogated therewith, the RFID signal capture device comprising:

a container;

a signal capture circuit carried by the container and configured to mutually inductively couple with the RFID transponder when positioned in close proximity thereto and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader; and

an interrogation indicator carried by the container and configured to indicate to a user of the RFID device that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity thereto and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

14. A device as defined in claim 13,

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured to mutually inductively couple with the RFID reader when positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader;

and

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder, the RFID signal capture device will not interfere with operation of the RFID reader.

15. A device as defined in claim 14,

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured to mutually inductively couple with the RFID transponder when positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID transponder is producing a reply to interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader;

and

wherein the signal capture circuit is configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder, the RFID signal capture device will not inductively couple with either of the following;

the RFID reader and the RFID transponder.

16. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the interrogation indicator comprises:

an antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational interrogator indicator circuit power to the interrogation indicator responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID reader and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

an audible indicator adapted to indicate to the user of the RFID transponder that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

17. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the interrogation indicator comprises:

an antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational interrogator indicator circuit power to the interrogation indicator responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID reader and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

a visual indicator adapted to indicate to the user of the RFID transponder that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder to thereby alert the user of the attempted interrogation.

18. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal; and

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a phase-adjusted carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder.

19. A device as defined in claim 18,

wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal to facilitate the phase adjustment;

and

wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer has a phase shift of at least approximately 90 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal to thereby effectively prevent the data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder.

20. A device as defined in claim 19,

wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal has a phase shift of approximately 180 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal;

wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal; and

wherein the RFID signal capture device does not include a battery to power the signal capture circuit.

21. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises:

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the phase-adjusted carrier signal, the data modulated signal having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

22. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a modulated carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer to facilitate data modulation of the synchronized carrier signal, the data modulation having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between an RFID transponder and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

23. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a synchronized carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal.

24. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna to mutually inductively couple with both the RFID reader and at least one of a plurality of RFID transponders responsive to being positioned in close proximity thereto and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders to disrupt an interrogation response field associated with the at least one of the plurality of transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between each of the plurality of RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the plurality of RFID transponders each positioned in close proximity to the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna of the signal capture circuit when the RFID signal capture device is operably positioned to protect the plurality of RFID transponders so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of each of the plurality of RFID transponders.

25. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna assembly including a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFD reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, the signal capture circuit antenna assembly being not tuned to prevent operational activation affecting the RFID reader when not employed to protect an RFID transponder;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a phase-adjusted carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal, the phase-shifted carrier signal having a phase shift of approximately 180 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal;

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal to facilitate the phase adjustment;

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the phase-adjusted carrier signal, the data modulated phase-adjusted signal having a different data signal than the data signal included in the interrogation signal, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

an amplifier positioned to receive the phase-adjusted carrier signal from the timing synchronizer to provide the phase-adjusted carrier signal to the signal capture circuit antenna to be provided to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder, the amplifier comprising one or more of the following;

a single transistor, a multi-stage transistor circuit, and an operational amplifier.

26. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna assembly including a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, the signal capture circuit antenna assembly being not tuned to prevent operational activation affecting the RFID reader when not employed to protect an RFID transponder;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a modulated carrier signal synchronized with the interrogation signal responsive to the interrogation signal;

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal;

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer to facilitate data modulation of the synchronized carrier signal by the timing synchronizer, the data modulated signal including a different data signal than the data signal included in the interrogation signal, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

an amplifier positioned to receive the modulated carrier signal from the timing synchronizer to provide the data modulated carrier signal to the signal capture circuit antenna to be provided to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder, the amplifier comprising one or more of the following;

a single transistor, a multi-stage transistor circuit, and an operational amplifier.

27. A device as defined in claim 26, wherein the RFID signal capture device does not include a battery to power the signal capture circuit.

28. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

an antenna array having a plurality of antennas positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal; and

an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) positioned to interface and respond to the interrogation signal received by the antenna array to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder, the ASIC providing digital sampling to detect the data signal received from the RFID reader.

29. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

an antenna array having a plurality of antennas positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal;

a plurality of inverters positioned to demodulate the interrogation signal and to provide to the plurality of antennas, a signal having a same data rate as the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational power to the plurality of inverters responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

30. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a receiver antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal a demodulator operably coupled to the receiver antenna to demodulate the received interrogation signal;

a frequency generator positioned to generate a disruptive transmission signal having a center frequency above and below that of the interrogation carrier signal;

a transmitter antenna;

a transmitter power level controller operably coupled to the frequency generator and to the transmitter antenna to provide the disruptive transmission signal to the transmitter antenna for transmission to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a power generator operably coupled to the demodulator to receive supply power and positioned to provide power to the frequency generator and the transmitter power level controller responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

31. A radio frequency identification (RFID) signal capture device to prevent data transfer between a nearby RFID reader and an RFID device including an RFID transponder storing data and configured to inductively couple with the RFID reader to provide data thereto when interrogated therewith, the RFID signal capture device comprising:

a container; and

a signal capture circuit carried by the container and configured to mutually inductively couple with the RFID transponder when positioned in close proximity thereto and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder and to prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader responsive to being positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

32. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the RFID signal capture device further comprises:

an interrogation indicator carried by the container and configured to indicate to a user of the RFID device that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity thereto and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder.

33. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal; and

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a phase-adjusted carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder.

34. A device as defined in claim 33,

wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal to facilitate the phase adjustment;

wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer has a phase shift of at least approximately 90 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal to thereby effectively prevent the data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

wherein the RFID signal capture device does not include a battery to power the signal capture circuit.

35. A device as defined in claim 33, wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises:

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the phase-adjusted carrier signal, the data modulated signal having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID transponder and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

36. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a modulated carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer to facilitate data modulation of the synchronized carrier signal, the data modulation having a different data signal than the data signal received from the RFID reader to thereby further effectively prevent data transfer between an RFID transponder and the RFID reader, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation.

37. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit further comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a synchronized carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder; and

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal.

38. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna to mutually inductively couple with both the RFID reader and at least one of a plurality of RFID transponders responsive to being positioned in close proximity thereto and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders to disrupt an interrogation response field associated with the at least one of the plurality of transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between each of the plurality of RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the plurality of RFID transponders each positioned in close proximity to the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna of the signal capture circuit when the RFID signal capture device is operably positioned to protect the plurality of RFID transponders so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of each of the plurality of RFID transponders.

39. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna assembly including a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, the signal capture circuit antenna assembly being not tuned to prevent operational activation affecting the RFID reader when not employed to protect an RFID transponder;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a phase-adjusted carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal, the phase-shifted carrier signal having a phase shift of approximately 180 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal;

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal to facilitate the phase adjustment;

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer and positioned to facilitate data modulation of the phase-adjusted carrier signal, the data modulated phase-adjusted signal having a different data signal than the data signal included in the interrogation signal, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

an amplifier positioned to receive the phase-adjusted carrier signal from the timing synchronizer to provide the phase-adjusted carrier signal to the signal capture circuit antenna to be provided to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder, the amplifier comprising one or more of the following;

a single transistor, a multi-stage transistor circuit, and an operational amplifier.

40. A device as defined in claim 31, wherein the signal capture circuit comprises:

a signal capture circuit antenna assembly including a signal capture circuit antenna positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the interrogation signal comprising a modulated interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, the signal capture circuit antenna assembly being not tuned to prevent operational activation affecting the RFID reader when not employed to protect an RFID transponder;

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a modulated carrier signal synchronized with the interrogation signal responsive to the interrogation signal;

a data separator positioned to separate the data signal from the interrogation signal to provide the timing synchronizer a reference to the interrogation carrier signal;

a data detector positioned to provide the data signal to the timing synchronizer to facilitate data modulation of the synchronized carrier signal by the timing synchronizer, the data modulated signal including a different data signal than the data signal included in the interrogation signal, the data modulation comprising one or more of the following;

frequency-based data modulation, phase-based data modulation, and amplitude-based data modulation;

a voltage rectifier positioned to provide operational signal capture circuit power responsive to the interrogation signal when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder; and

an amplifier positioned to receive the modulated carrier signal from the timing synchronizer to provide the data modulated carrier signal to the signal capture circuit antenna to be provided to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the RFID transponder, the amplifier comprising one or more of the following;

a single transistor, a multi-stage transistor circuit, and an operational amplifier.

41. A method of preventing data transfer between a nearby RFID reader and one or more RFID transponders including data to be protected, the method comprising the steps of:

inductively coupling an RFID signal capture device with the one or more RFID transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the nearby RFID reader when the RFID signal capture device is positioned by a user in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device being separate from but positioned by the user adjacent to the RFID transponder so that the RFID signal capture device is positioned within an interrogation response field range of the one or more of RFID transponders; and

indicating to the user of the one or more RFID transponders that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal and when the RFID signal capture device is in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders.

42. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the step of indicating to the user of the one or more RFID transponders that the RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID transponder includes one or more of the following steps:

illuminating a visual indicator carried by the RFID signal capture device; and

sounding an audible indicator carried by the RFID signal capture device.

43. A method as defined in claim 41, further comprising the step of:

selectively substantially separating the RFID signal capture device from being adjacent the one or more RFID transponder to allow authorized interrogation of the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device being configured to not interfere with operation of the RFID reader when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders.

44. A method as defined in claim 41, further comprising the step of:

inductively coupling the RFID signal capture device with the RFID reader when positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the RFID signal capture device configured to include an un-tuned antenna so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to an RFID transponder, the RFID signal capture device will not inductively couple with the RFID reader to thereby selectively prevent interference with operation of the RFID reader.

45. A method as defined in claim 41, further comprising the step of:

inductively coupling the RFID signal capture device with at least one of the one or more RFID transponders when positioned in close proximity thereto and when the at least one of the one or more RFID transponders is producing a reply to interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the RFID reader, the RFID signal capture device configured to include an un-tuned antenna so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device will not inductively couple with either of the following;

the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders.

46. A method as defined in claim 41,

wherein the one or more RFID transponders comprises a plurality of RFID transponders each positioned in close proximity to an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna of the signal capture circuit when the RFID signal capture device is operably positioned to protect the plurality of RFID transponders so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of each of the plurality of RFID transponders;

and

wherein the method further comprises the step of inductively coupling the RFID signal capture device with both the RFID reader and at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders responsive to being positioned in close proximity to the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the at least one of the plurality of RFID transponders to disrupt an at least one interrogation response field associated with the at least one of the plurality of transponders to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and each of the plurality of RFID transponders.

47. A method as defined in claim 41, further comprising the step of:

indicating to the user of the one or more RFID transponders that the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders are transferring data therebetween when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID signal capture device is in close proximity to the RFID reader and not in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders.

48. A method as defined in claim 47, wherein the data transfer indication includes one or more of the following:

a visual indication and an audible indication, being distinctive from that provided when the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders is being transmitted but no data is being transferred between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders.