Microwave readable dielectric barcode

Abstract

Presented is a system and method for reading a microwave readable barcode formed from a pattern of dielectric material. The dielectric pattern creates a strong microwave contrast with the surrounding media selectively resonating with or scattering an interrogating microwave signal. Dielectric bars can be fabricated by inkjet printing, injection, spraying, drawing or any other technique. Barcode information is encoded using different lengths, angles, or positions of dielectric bars. A microwave readable dielectric barcode system includes a barcode fabricated from a dielectric material, a transmitter with an antenna, and a sensor that senses the effect produced by the dielectric barcode on the microwave signal. The dielectric barcode system can use multiple microwave signals that differ in one or more respects, such as polarization or frequency.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A microwave detectable pattern comprising: 
 a high dielectric permittivity material positioned on or within a substrate;    wherein the high dielectric permittivity material is detectable by an interrogating microwave signal.    
     
     
         22 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein a source of the interrogating microwave signal is a remote interrogator.  
     
     
         23 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein the high dielectric permittivity material is comprised of a dielectric ink, a dielectric powder, and a dielectric solid material.  
     
     
         24 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 23  wherein the high dielectric permittivity material is the dielectric ink.  
     
     
         25 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 24  wherein the dielectric ink comprises a dielectric material comprising a heavy metal, a heavy metal salt, a piezo-electric ceramic, and a metallic nano-particle.  
     
     
         26 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 25  wherein the dielectric material is the heavy metal and the heavy metal salt.  
     
     
         27 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 26  wherein the heavy metal and the heavy metal salt are selected from the group consisting of BaTiO 3 , NaKNbO 3 , PbZrTiO 3 , and Na x K 1-x NbO 3 .  
     
     
         28 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein the position of the high dielectric permittivity material varies at least in one of length, width, relative positioning angle, and in interstitial gaps.  
     
     
         29 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 28  wherein the high dielectric permittivity material forms a dielectric barcode.  
     
     
         30 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 24  wherein the dielectric ink is biocompatible with an animal.  
     
     
         31 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 30  wherein the animal is livestock.  
     
     
         32 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 29  wherein the dielectric barcode is embedded or printed on an object.  
     
     
         33 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 29  wherein the object is a device and a sample.  
     
     
         34 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 32  wherein the dielectric barcode is embedded or printed on the object such that it replaces an optical barcode.  
     
     
         35 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein the high dielectric permittivity material is not detectable in the UV/VIS frequency range.  
     
     
         36 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein the high dielectric permittivity material is of sufficient density to alter the refractive and reflective properties of the high dielectric permittivity material and of insufficient density to cause the high dielectric permittivity material to become conductive.  
     
     
         37 . The microwave detectable pattern of  claim 21  wherein the positioning of the high dielectric permittivity material on or within the substrate is selected from the group consisting of: printing, injection, spraying and drawing.