Importance

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Abstract

A radio frequency automatic identification system detects targets which include a plurality of radio frequency resonators. Information is attributed to the target in accordance with the radio frequency response characteristics of the target, such as the resonant frequencies of resonators present, and/or the spatial locations within the target of the resonators. Preferred resonators include thin dipoles, which may be metallizations on a plastic film substrate. Information may be attributed to a target by fabricating the target with resonators disposed at locations to encode information in accordance with a predetermined encoding system; alternatively, resonators may be randomly disposed, and a translation code applied to convert the radio frequency information to particular information in a particular format. Readers for use in the system read the radio frequency response characteristics of a target in the near field of a radiating aperture which is illuminated by a radio frequency source. Items which may be encoded with radio frequency readable information include documents, credit cards, and computer diskettes.

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First Claim