Importance

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Abstract

A method is disclosed for selling and tracking merchandise using Radio-Frequency Identification ('RFID') tags. The RFID tag typically contains an electronic microchip, which may be permanently attached to a substrate containing a small planar antenna. Each RFID tag is tuned by the manufacturer to operate at a specific frequency and with a unique identifier number. A 'scanner' device, which provides a temporary source of power to the RFID tag by means of a Radio Frequency ('RF') field, also provides a means for transmitting data to the RFID tag for storage within a static memory portion of the microchip. The microchip is also capable of communicating the RFID tag's identifier number and any data stored on the microchip to a receiver portion of the scanner when interrogated. The RFID tag may be installed into devices and merchandise as a theft-deterrent and an inventory tracking tool.

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First Claim