Patent ID: 8102243

Claim:
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 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, to thereby effectively prevent data transfer between the one or more RFID transponders and the 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 one or more RFID transponders, the RFID signal capture circuit will not inductively couple with either of the following: the RFID reader and the one or more RFID transponders, 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 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.