A transponder apparatus (50; 50'; 70; 70'; 70"; 70'''), comprising: a plurality of antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D); and a plurality of devices (60A-60D); wherein each of said devices (60A-60D) includes an IC chip operatively coupled to a conductor , wherein each of said devices (60A-60D) is positioned adjacent to a terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of a respective one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D), wherein the conductor of each of said devices (60A-60D) is capacitively coupled to the one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) adjacent to which the device (60A-60D) is positioned, wherein the conductor and the IC chip of each of said devices (60A-60D) are not physically connected to the one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) adjacent to which the device (60A-60D) is positioned, and wherein each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) has a slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) provided therein which provides an inductive reactance; wherein the slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) provided in each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) begins adjacent to and extends all the way to the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of said antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D), and has an open end at the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of said antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D), such that the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) comprises two separated element portions defining two separate coupling points located on opposite sides of the slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) capacitively coupled to the conductor of the device (60A-60D) positioned adjacent the antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D). a plurality of antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D); and a plurality of devices (60A-60D); wherein each of said devices (60A-60D) includes an IC chip operatively coupled to a conductor , wherein each of said devices (60A-60D) is positioned adjacent to a terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of a respective one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D), wherein the conductor of each of said devices (60A-60D) is capacitively coupled to the one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) adjacent to which the device (60A-60D) is positioned, wherein the conductor and the IC chip of each of said devices (60A-60D) are not physically connected to the one of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) adjacent to which the device (60A-60D) is positioned, and wherein each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) has a slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) provided therein which provides an inductive reactance; wherein the slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) provided in each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) begins adjacent to and extends all the way to the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of said antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D), and has an open end at the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of said antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D), such that the terminal end (64A-64D; 76A-76D) of each of said antenna elements (54A-54D; 72A-72D) comprises two separated element portions defining two separate coupling points located on opposite sides of the slot (68A-68D; 80A-80D) capacitively coupled to the conductor of the device (60A-60D) positioned adjacent the antenna element (54A-54D; 72A-72D). <EOS>