SW: XYBR NEWS: Xybernaut(R) Is Granted Japanese Patent for Body Worn Computers; Builds on U.S. Wearable Patent Issued in 1994
FAIRFAX, Va., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq: XYBR), the leader in wearable computing, has been granted Japanese patent #2,873,268. It is viewed as a landmark patent covering Xybernaut's wearable computing concepts and technology. This Japanese patent corresponds with the U.S. Patent 5,305,244 issued on April 19, 1994 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which is Xybernaut's earliest patent and is considered the earliest reference to a self-contained, wearable computer.
"Since the wearable computer has been recognized as the ultimate form of mobile computing, we believe that this Japanese patent puts Xybernaut in a strong position in the Asian market and thus gives it more advantages in the field of wearable computers than any other company," said Kaz Toyosato, Executive Vice President, Xybernaut, Far East Operations.
James Ralabate, Xybernaut's patent counsel, also noted for his earlier development of Xerox's dominant patent position, went on to say, "This patent recently granted by the Japanese Patent Office encompasses one of the most important and basic inventions of Xybernaut Corporation. This is the first Japanese patent to issue of several significant patent applications for Xybernaut now pending in Japan. We expect that these pending applications when issued, together with other corresponding patent applications in the USA and several foreign countries, will further enhance our already firm world- wide patent position in wearable computing."
Ed Newman, Xybernaut President said, "We are successfully building an international IP position for Xybernaut in the wearable computing industry. Xybernaut intends to both aggressively license world-class manufacturing and marketing organizations, as well as require compliance of our worldwide IP position."
The Mobile Assistant(R) IV (MA IV(TM)) began shipping to customers in December 1998. It consists of a belt-worn computer, a color VGA head-mounted display suspended in front of either eye with microphone and earphone, an optional wrist-mounted flat panel touch screen color display or keyboard, a battery pack, and integrated voice-recognition software. With base pricing below $5,000, the market for wearable PCs is now attractive for applications where computers have never been used before and to those organizations seeking to leverage the productivity aspects of wearables not available in conventional computing.
About Xybernaut Corporation
Xybernaut Corporation is the leader in providing hardware, software and service solutions to the wearable computing industry. The Company's patented wearable computer allows users hands-free access to information in the computer's internal storage, in local area networks, and on the Internet on an as-needed, where-needed basis. Xybernaut's software is designed to provide users with the right information needed for the task at hand using consistent navigation techniques and screen presentations. Xybernaut's current customers include leading Fortune 500 companies and government organizations for many mobile knowledge delivery system applications, including maintenance and repair, diagnosis, inspection, inventory control, manufacturing and data collection. Key industries include manufacturing, distribution, transportation, government, and insurance. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan).
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "plan", "confident that", "believe", "expect", or "intend to" and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, the availability of components for, and delays in the start of, production of the next generations of the Mobile Assistant, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional financings and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
Visit the Xybernaut Web Site at xybernaut.com
SOURCE Xybernaut Corporation
CO: Xybernaut Corporation
ST: Virginia
IN: CPR
SU: PDT
04/27/99 09:59 EDT prnewswire.com |
