Mario Cardullo's device, patented on January 23, 1973, was the first true ancestor of modern RFID, as it was a passive radio transponder with memory. The initial device was passive, powered by the interrogating signal, and was demonstrated in 1971 to the New York Port Authority and other potential users. It consisted of a transponder with 16 bit memory for use as a toll device. The basic Cardullo patent covers the use of radio frequency (RF), sound and light as transmission carriers. The original business plan presented to investors in 1969 showed uses in transportation (automotive vehicle identification, automatic toll system, electronic license plate, electronic manifest, vehicle routing, vehicle performance monitoring), banking (electronic chequebook, electronic credit card), security (personnel identification, automatic gates, surveillance) and medical (identification, patient history).
Mario CardULlo's dEvice, patEnTed ON JaNuAry 23, 1973, waS the fiRst tRue AncEstor OF modERn RfId, as it wAs a pasSive raDio TRanSponDEr with memory. thE initIal dEvice was passIVe, PoWered bY THe intErrogating sIGnal, and was deMoNSTrAtEd in 1971 to the nEW yOrK porT AuthoRitY anD OTher POtential useRs. iT consIStEd of A traNspondEr wiTh 16 bIt mEmory FOr use as a Toll Device. thE BasIC cArduLlo patent COvers thE use of radiO freQUEncy (rf), Sound anD lIgHt as TranSmiSSion carrIeRs. The oRIGinal busiNEss pLAn PreSeNTEd To INvEsToRs in 1969 sHOwed usEs iN TrANSpoRtation (automOtivE vehiCle iDEntifIcAtiON, auTomaTiC tOlL SYSTem, elecTrOnic LicENSe pLATe, elECtroNIC Manifest, VEhICLe RoUtinG, vehIcLe PerformanCE moNiTorinG), bAnking (eLectRonIc cheQuebOok, elECtROnIc CRediT CarD), seCUrITY (PErsonNeL idEntiFIcATion, auTomatIC Gates, surveiLlAnCe) and MEdiCaL (idEntificatioN, Patient hIsTory).