Printed tag real-time tracking

US9473902B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology · SA

Inventors

• Rana Muhammad Bilal · Thuwal, SA
• Muhammad Fahad Farooqui · Thuwal, SA
• Hammad M. Cheema · Thuwal, SA
• Atif Shamim · Thuwal, SA

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 18, 2016
• Expiry date: Sep 8, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W4/025
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for flexible, low-cost tracking devices capable of seamless indoor and outdoor tracking transitions. A tracking device may comprise, for example, circuitry combined with one or more transceivers on a flexible substrate. At least a portion of the circuitry may be printed using a conductive medium, such as nanoparticle ink. The tracking device may be configured to localize the tracking device via GPS or an alternative localization strategy based on a determination of whether GPS communication is available.