Patents Further Demonstrate Company’s Technology Innovation and Leadership; TCS Now Holds 126 Patents With 320 Applications Pending
ANNAPOLIS, MD, Dec 09, 2010 — TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology, today announced the issuance by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of five United States Patents in a 45-day period. This is a record issuance rate for TCS.
The five wireless patents include:
U.S. Patent No. 7,805,483 “Apparatus and Method for Associating Geospatial Location to Content on a Network” provides the ability to associate specific geospatial locations with virtual content on the Internet. The TCS invention extends and modifies the otherwise conventional format of the Presence Information Data Format-Location Object (PIDF-LO) format as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Conventional PIDF-LO document format tags actual people or places with a geospatial location. The patent allows for the otherwise conventional PIDF-LO format to be extended or modified to associate a geospatial location to virtual data (e.g., to form graffiti known as Neffiti) on a computer network such as the Internet, corporate Intranets, and/or corporate Extranets. The invention allows virtual use of location-aware content to associate graffiti, chat-room messages, blogs and other forms of online content with a particular location. It provides for a presence list for a Modified Presence Information Data Format-Location Object for use in tying MIME type virtual content to a geospatial location, and for tagging the location with graphical and/or descriptive information relating to the location.
U.S. Patent No. 7,809,382 “Short Message Distribution Center” addresses the inability of wireless carriers to effectively differentiate between informational text, ads and other forms of online content from higher priority ‘personal’ content in Short Messaging Systems (SMS). Since all SMS traffic is typically sent through a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), the lack of differentiation can cause significant problems. This TCS invention provides a message distribution center (MDC) interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via SMTP based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages that the short message has been accepted. The TCS Message Distribution Center (MDC) invention provides an ideal solution. It addresses the problems faced by the carrier without requiring the information providers to change technologies.
U.S. Patent No. 7,809,359 “Wireless Chat Automatic Status Tracking” provides a solution that resolves the inability to send automatic notification when a chat-group system member wants to go online or offline. Existing technologies have not addressed the concept of automatic notification for wireless chat participants. Without this feature, members in the chat group are not aware of the member’s actual status. The wireless participants have to remember to notify the chat group or buddies of his/her availability. The TCS invention solves this problem by enabling a wireless carrier and/or Internet service provider to introduce a Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) service that allows a chat-room or session system to be automatically notified when the subscriber is on-line or off-line. This allows, for example, the chat system to continually and automatically notify the subscribers of the chat group or a “buddy list” about a participant’s status in a chat room/session at any time. This WIN service will be applicable to both prepaid and postpaid IS-41 networks. The invention also provides presence and location information to entities other than just those servicing a particular wireless device, thus enabling a new host of network services and applications.
U.S. Patent No. 7,813,484 “All-HTTP Multimedia Messaging” addresses the problems inherent in Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-Based MMS and Internet Email-Based MMS (SMTP/IMPA4/POP3) delivery of multimedia messaging services. Multimedia Messaging Service is a fast growing system for the wireless delivery of multimedia content. Standards for wireless multimedia messaging exist, including Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-Based MMS and Internet Email-Based MMS (SMTP/IMPA4/POP3). All existing standards rely on the presence of a WAP gateway and encapsulation techniques in order to transfer multimedia messages. TCS supports the creation of a wireless multimedia messaging framework that relies entirely on specifications endorsed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the body in charge of the standardization of the public Internet. This would allow wireless service providers to field MMS services that are fully Internet-standard compliant and hence WAP free. This invention implements such a system.
U.S. Patent No. 7,825,780 “Cellular Augmented Vehicle Alarm Notification Together with Location Services for Position of an Alarming Vehicle” addresses the dilemma of the mostly ignored vehicle alarm, seen today as more of an annoyance than a call to action. This TCS invention utilizes wireless network technology in combination with a vehicle-alarm system to provide direct wireless notification of a vehicle-alarm event to the owner or other interested party of the vehicle. Conventional vehicle alarms are augmented with a cellular telephone circuit to provide an affordable system that sends an alarm’s notifications directly to those who care the most about the particular vehicle issuing the alarm. Vehicle alarm “announcements”, including status and position, are sent directly to parties that the vehicle owner pre-designates
such as to the police to respond to the situation, or to building security to dispatch an investigative team, or to a building-surveillance company to activate or monitor a relevant security camera.
“TCS is dedicated to driving innovation through the development of technologies and methodologies that improve the delivery of wireless services offered to their customers,” said Drew Morin, chief technology officer of TCS. “We recognize the pace of innovation in the telecommunications industry continues to accelerate and we feel it is our responsibility to be a leader in this area with over two decades of experience. The award of these five patents in 45 days underscores our organization’s strength and dedication to creating technologies that are in demand industry-wide.”
TCS now holds 126 patents worldwide with over 320 applications pending. To learn more about TCS patents, please visit: http://www.telecomsys.com/about/ip-licensing/patents.aspx
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, 2009, and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
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.
Company Contact:
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
Meredith Allen
410-295-1865
Media Contact:
Welz & Weisel Communications
Evan Weisel
703-218-3555
Investor Relations:
Liolios Group, Inc.
Scott Liolios
949-574-3860
