TCS Receives Three U.S. Patents for Advancements in Navigation
Key Navigation Concepts Described, Including GPS-Based Point of Interest Proximity Search and Cell Phone-Linked Hybrid Telematics
ANNAPOLIS, MD, Nov 16, 2011 — TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued TCS three patents related to navigation:
“Method and System for Dynamic Estimation and Predictive Route Generation” (U.S. Patent No. 7,881,730)
This patent describes a method by which a navigation system can reconstruct a route based upon known location fixes taken along the route in combination with other predictive factors, including the proximity to nearby roads, travel restrictions upon those roads as related to the vehicle (e.g., trucks not being permitted on certain thoroughfares) and posted speed limits. The practice of showing the historical route is quite common in current navigation systems.
“Point of Interest Spatial Rating Search” (U.S. Patent No. 8,014,939)
Every major mobile navigation solution incorporates some form of Point of Interest (POI) search capability. This patent describes methods by which a GPS-enabled mobile device can initiate a POI search based upon various criteria, with the most prevalent being the proximity of the POI to the mobile user. TCS’ Navigation solutions have utilized this method of POI search in their earliest incarnations, and we have refined the search methods so that the distance from the mobile user is one of the most highly weighted criteria when determining the list of POIs to return to the user.
“System and Method for Providing Routing, Mapping, and Relative Position Information to Users of a Communication Network” (U.S. Patent No. 8,019,581)
The areas of vehicle-based telematics and mobile-based navigation have become more and more entwined over the last few years. This patent describes methods by which a mobile device can be used to communicate navigation instructions to a vehicle-based display system. This technique, often referred to as “hybrid telematics,” combines the strengths of the GPS-enabled mobile-device and the large, high-resolution, in-vehicle display systems.
“TCS is a pioneer in navigation solutions for the mobile device and in-vehicle telematics systems,” said Steve Petilli, senior vice president of TCS’ Navigation and Telematics business unit. “These new patents clearly underscore our commitment to innovation and our ability to anticipate the directions that technology is headed. They also help us defend our position in the market and provide us with more means to bring extra value to our partners. We incorporate these patented methods into our products, and we can now more broadly monetize our solutions with these additions to our patent portfolio.”
This announcement brings the total number of issued patents worldwide to more than 173, with more than 330 patent applications pending. TCS’ growing patent portfolio allows meaningful partnerships with other industry-leading companies to be built through direct licensing, cross licensing and joint venture agreements.
About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology. TCS infrastructure forms the foundation for market leading solutions in E9-1-1, text messaging, commercial location and deployable wireless communications. TCS is at the forefront of new mobile cloud computing services providing wireless applications for navigation, hyper-local search, asset tracking, social applications and telematics. Millions of consumers around the world use TCS wireless apps as a fundamental part of their daily lives. Government agencies utilize TCS’ cyber security expertise, professional services, and highly secure deployable satellite solutions for mission-critical communications. Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, TCS maintains technical, service and sales offices around the world. To learn more about emerging and innovative wireless technologies, visit www.telecomsys.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon TCS’ current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Risks include without limitation those detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.
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