QuadTech’s Patent Pending iMPak Monitors People
20 September, 2006
category: RFID
Vancouver, BC-based QuadTech announced today it will pursue a patent for its on-location human asset monitoring system.
Called iMPak (Intelligent Mobile Personnel Asset Kit), the timing couldn’t be more right – unless, of course, you’ve got issues with people-tracking gadgets.
“Today’s RFID tags can only indicate whether a worker is present within a monitored area; they cannot even pinpoint precise location, much less detect such vital signs as respiratory and heart rate,” said QuadTech CEO John Meier. “Consequently, we believe an incredible market opportunity exists for our company to develop and market the iMPak system.”
QuadTech International Identifies Target Markets for Patent-Pending iMPak System
VANCOUVER, BC – (MARKET WIRE) – September 20, 2006 – QuadTech International, Inc. (OTCBB: QTII) (FRANKFURT: QI9), a global provider of technology-based asset monitoring solutions, today announced its intent to pursue key national and international public sector accounts in law enforcement, fire safety, and homeland security for the company’s patent-pending iMPak (Intelligent Mobile Personnel Asset Kit) on-location human asset monitoring system.
Developed and marketed by QuadTech’s wholly owned subsidiary MRID Technologies (“MTech”), the iMPak system fits easily into a work vest or uniform and utilizes state-of-the-art wireless connectivity to monitor workers and determine the location and condition of each wearer. iMPak is a miniature, wireless, two-way, data/voice communication system embedded in a 5″ X 5″ X 5/8″ package with the ability to transmit location, vital sign information such as body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate, as well as other critical data immediately and effortlessly to a central control room or handheld device.
Because it continues to transmit data during power interruptions, iMPak can be deployed in even the harshest, most hazardous work environments, potentially saving thousands of lives in emergency situations.
Since September 11, 2001, the United States has tripled spending to improve security on domestic airlines, at U.S. ports, and in other critical areas, making homeland security a $100 billion industry and one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, U.S. federal, state and local spending for law enforcement jumped from $120 billion in 1996 to more than $200 billion by 2004, and government agencies at all levels have demonstrated that they will continue to invest in new technologies to protect their personnel.
Billions also are spent yearly to protect domestic and international fire and rescue personnel, as well as on the safety of global law enforcement personnel.
“Today’s RFID tags can only indicate whether a worker is present within a monitored area; they cannot even pinpoint precise location, much less detect such vital signs as respiratory and heart rate,” said QuadTech CEO John Meier. “Consequently, we believe an incredible market opportunity exists for our company to develop and market the iMPak system.”
“Our target markets are aware of and employ asset monitoring technology. Individually, each of these markets can be lucrative, and collectively, they can represent millions in profits annually if we are successful in achieving brand loyalty,” added Tony Hines, CTO of MTech and an international award-winning engineer.
iMPak is the portable, wearable component in MTech’s patent-pending Multiple Range Identification (“MRID”) asset tracking system, the next generation in Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”).
First developed in the early 1970’s, RFID technology uses radio frequency waves to determine simply if an object is or is not present. Consequently, current RFID systems do not allow users to pinpoint the location of tagged items. Nevertheless, Datamonitor predicts that RFID will be a US$6.1 billion industry by 2010 – triple what it was in 2005 – with overall RFID industry revenues projected to exceed US$1 trillion also by 2010.
MTech’s innovative MRID systems transmit multiple radio frequency codes, which offer the added functionality of determining direction and proximity of the tagged item or person in relation to the reader receiving its signal. As a result, an MRID receiver is able to accurately determine the location of a tagged item, making the new MRID systems invaluable in emergency situations or for organizations with large numbers of mobile assets to protect.
About QuadTech International, Inc.
QuadTech International, Inc. is a global provider of technology-based asset monitoring solutions and the parent company of MRID Technologies, provider of a full line of mobile asset tracking solutions. QuadTech also develops partnerships and/or acquires control in high-growth, small to medium sized companies and solutions that support its technology-driven business focus. For more information, please visit www.quadtechint.com.
Safe Harbor – This press release includes forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, product delivery, the management of growth, market acceptance of certain products and other risks. These forward-looking statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For further information about these factors that could affect QuadTech International, Inc. future results, please contact the Company directly. Prospective investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations.