Xybernaut Granted 'Way Point' Patent in Japan For Location-Specific Information Delivery
FAIRFAX, Va., Jun 12, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Patent Defines Architecture for Delivering and Receiving Information for Commercial, Government/Military and Consumer Applications
Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq:XYBR), today announced it has been granted a patent by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for leaving and retrieving messages and data of all types at specific locations -- such as coordinate way points -- within a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider network or other networks.
The Japan patent, which relates to the Xybernaut U.S. patent No. 6,377,793 entitled, "System and Method of Accessing and Recording Messages at Coordinate Way Points," covers the technology for directing messages or information to a specific location. The information, which could be personalized for individuals or organizations, could be any type of information, including voice messages, audio, video, animation, Web sites, documents, text or e-mail.
"We consider our intellectual property among the Company's most valuable assets and Way Point to be one of our crown jewels," said Edward G. Newman, chairman and CEO of Xybernaut. "Though it is often very difficult to receive patent coverage in the Far East, we have taken great strides to strategically protect these valuable assets in many of the largest global markets."
Xybernaut is currently discussing applications with corporations, government entities and other organizations as part of a recently enhanced Licensing Plan related to Xybernaut intellectual property.
According to an April 21, 2003 report by industry analyst firm Gartner Group, "81.1 million cell phones (are) in use in Japan as of March 2003, meaning six out of 10 people now carry mobile phones." NEC Corp and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd remained Japan's largest and second-largest cell phone makers in terms of Japan sales in 2002 while NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Japan Telecom Co Ltd remain the largest network service providers.
Separately, a recent (April 10, 2003) report by the MultiMedia Research Institute Ltd indicated, "Japan's domestic shipments of cell phone handsets will likely edge up in the year to next March (3/04/03), with camera phones and high-speed third-generation (3G) handsets providing the main boost. Annual shipments in 2003/04 are expected to grow 0.8 percent to 41.3 million units."
Since Way Point is device independent, it will work with virtually any information appliance such as GPS-enabled or other location-determining devices that can communicate and/or retrieve data over various types of networks. The devices could be future technology or currently available items such as cell phones, PDAs, wearable computers, wristwatch PCs, laptops or GPS-enabled automobiles. The information could be accessible by any subscriber or specifically tailored for certain individuals or subscriber segment(s). Subscribers will be able to retrieve information at specific coordinate locations while traveling within the network.
Examples of business applications would be direct marketing; one-to-one focused marketing; field force automation; asset management and electronic commerce. Consumer applications might be emergency response; notifying drivers of dangers before they approach an accident scene or road hazard; notifying consumers of discounts near a retail outlet; or notifying a traveler of the location of a favorite type of restaurant. A variety of military and homeland security applications also exist.
Examples of current networks on which the Way Point architecture can operate include cellular networks, satellite arrays, two-way radio and/or spread spectrum microwave networks. Many other types of communications networks are under development, such as geographically-based 802.11 "Hot Spots" that provide broadband wireless network connectivity within a defined area.
Subscribers simply configure profiles that define information preferences and the manner in which information is to be presented. Users/subscribers will carry or transport location-aware (such as GPS) or intelligent devices for communicating and/or retrieving information over any type of network. Service providers and subscribers will utilize these information appliances to deliver and/or retrieve information at specific coordinate locations while traveling within the networks.
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) issued the Way Point patent as Japan patent No. 3427063 entitled "Method of Accessing and Recording Messages at Coordinate Way Points," issued on May 9, 2003. This Japan patent is related to two Xybernaut U.S. patents -- No. 6,377,793 (as noted above) issued April 23, 2002 and No. 6,480,713 issued November 12, 2002 both with similar titles.
About Xybernaut Corporation
Xybernaut Corporation is the leading provider of wearable/mobile computing hardware, software and services, bringing communications and full-function computing power in a hands-free design to people when and where they need it. Xybernaut maintains hundreds of patents in more than 17 countries. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan). Visit Xybernaut's Web site at www.xybernaut.com.
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," "scheduled," "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 and successful production of the Company's products, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, timing, and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
Third party statements contained herein and information contained on any third party web site are not endorsed by or adopted by Xybernaut, nor has Xybernaut verified their accuracy.
SOURCE: Xybernaut Corporation
Xybernaut Corporation
Michael Binko, 703/654-3637
mbinko@xybernaut.com |
