RFID protection device, and related methods

• US 8,305,193 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2012
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curio Ltd
• Original Assignee: Curio Ltd
• Inventors: Horne, Gregory L., Adams, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERWIN, RYAN W
• Application Number:
  US13/352,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20120112887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 340 101- 106, 3405721-5729, 455/1, 455/41.2, 455/421, 4554561-4566, 455/229
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• 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 indicator 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 one or more RFID data storage devices when the RFID signal capture device is positioned adjacent the one or more RFID data storage devices 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 one or more RFID data storage devices when positioned adjacent to the one or more RFID data storage devices, when an RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID data storage devices, and when the one or more RFID data storage devices is producing a reply to the interrogation signal responsive to an interrogation by the RFID reader, to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID data storage devices and the RFID reader, the signal capture circuit also being configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned adjacent the one or more RFID data storage devices, the RFID signal capture circuit will not inductively couple with the one or more RFID data storage devices, the signal capture circuit being;

positioned to receive the interrogation signal from the RFID reader, the interrogation signal including an interrogation carrier signal carrying a data signal, and including 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 data storage devices.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal capture circuit also is configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID data storage devices, the RFID signal capture circuit will not interfere with operation of the RFID reader.

3. A device as defined in claim 1,

wherein the signal capture circuit further includes a signal capture circuit antenna assembly having an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna assembly;

wherein the one or more RFID data storage devices includes 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 RFID 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 one or more 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 one or more 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.

4. A device as defined in claim 3,

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.

5. 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 data storage devices.

6. A device as defined in claim 5,

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 data storage devices.

7. A device as defined in claim 6,

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 is devoid of a battery to power the signal capture circuit.

8. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein the phase-shifted carrier signal has a phase shift of approximately 180 degrees to that of the interrogation carrier signal.

9. A device as defined in claim 6, 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 data storage devices 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.

10. 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 data storage devices 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 modified carrier signal returned by the timing synchronizer includes a carrier signal responsive to the interrogation signal to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the RFID reader and the one or more RFID data storage devices;

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.

12. A radio frequency identification (RFID) signal capture device to prevent data transfer between a nearby RFID reader and one or more RFID transponders each 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 inductively couple with the one or more RFID transponders when positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders, when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders, and when the one or more RFID transponders is producing a reply to the interrogation signal, to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and an RFID reader, the signal capture circuit also being configured so that when the RFID signal capture device is not positioned in close proximity to the RFID transponder, the RFID signal capture circuit will not inductively couple with the one or more RFID transponders; and

an interrogation indicator carried by the container and configured to indicate to a user of an RFID device that an RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders 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 one or more RFID transponders.

13. A device as defined in claim 12,

wherein the signal capture circuit also 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 circuit will not interfere with operation of the RFID reader.

14. A device as defined in claim 12, 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 one or more RFID transponders; and

where in the indicator comprises an audible indicator adapted to indicate 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 signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders.

15. A device as defined in claim 12, 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 one or more RFID transponders; and

wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator adapted to indicate 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 signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the one or more RFID transponders and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders to thereby alert the user of the attempted interrogation.

16. A device as defined in claim 12, 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 one or more RFID transponders.

17. 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 inductively couple with the RFID transponder when positioned adjacent 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 adjacent to the RFID transponder and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder, the signal capture circuit being;

positioned to receive an interrogation signal from the RFID reader when the signal capture circuit is positioned adjacent 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 including

a timing synchronizer positioned to return a phase-adjusted carrier 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 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 adjacent 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.

18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein the signal capture circuit includes an un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna to mutually inductively couple with both the RFID reader and the RFID transponder responsive to being positioned in close proximity thereto and responsive to the RFID reader producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the RFID transponder 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 RFID transponder 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 RFID transponder so that the un-tuned signal capture circuit antenna is within an interrogation response field range of the RFID transponder.

19. 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, when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders, and when the one or more RFID transponders is producing a reply to the interrogation signal responsive to an interrogation by the RFID reader, the RFID signal capture device being separate from but positioned by the user adjacent to the one or more RFID transponders so that the RFID signal capture device is positioned within an interrogation response field range of the one or more of RFID transponders; and

selectively substantially separating the RFID signal capture device from being adjacent the one or more RFID transponders to allow authorized interrogation of the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device being configured so as 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.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the steps 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 the one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture device will not inductively couple with the RFID reader to thereby selectively prevent interference with operation of the RFID reader; and

indicating to a user of the one or more RFID transponders by the RFID signal capture device when one or more of the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders are attempting to transfer data there between when the RFID reader is producing an interrogation signal of sufficient strength to interrogate the one or more RFID transponders.