New patents continue to strengthen company’s intellectual property position
CALGARY, Alberta --- December 7, 2007 --- SMART Technologies announces that it has been issued six new patents - three patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and three by international patent offices in Spain, Germany and China. This brings the total number of patents issued to 12 for the 2007 calendar year. SMART has been creating technology products for over 15 years and applies for several patents each year. These latest patents add to SMART’s growing portfolio of over 25 patents worldwide.
The U.S patents recognize the SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards touch-sensitive technology and the novel features of a vision-based touch system that has reduced camera hardware requirements. They also recognize the methods of interpreting electronic writing and drawing used in SMART Ideas™ concept-mapping software. Patents issued in Spain, Germany and China cover the innovative digital touch system incorporated in SMART’s DViT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology. DViT technology involves the use of cameras embedded in the bezel of the product to detect contact with the screen and translate it as mouse activity. These patents add to SMART’s 10 U.S. patents previously granted that cover the precise, intuitive touch control that DViT technology brings to SMART’s front and rear-projection interactive whiteboards, flat-panel overlays, interactive pen displays and interactive digital signage products.
“Patents are a key measure of technology leadership, and we continue to be very active in the filing of patent applications to protect and strengthen our overall intellectual property position,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “This latest issue brings our annual total of new patents to 12 and further validates our leadership position while demonstrating our commitment to innovation and enhanced product design.”
Patent details
The issued patents include the following:
- U.S. Patent No. 7,289,113 Projection Display System with Pressure Sensing at Screen and Computer Assisted Alignment Implemented by Applying Pressure at Displayed Calibration Marks
- U.S. Patent No. 7, 283,126 System and Method for Providing Gesture Suggestions to Enhance Interpretation of User Input
- U.S. Patent No. 7,274,356 Apparatus for Determining the Location of a Pointer within a Region of Interest
- German Patent No. DE60124549 KAMERABASIERTES BERUEHRUNGSSYSTEM (English translation – Camera-Based Touch System)
- Spanish Patent No. ES2279823 SISTEMA TACTIL BASADO EN CAMARAS (English translation – Camera-Based Touch System)
- Chinese Patent No. ZL0181236.0 for Camera-Based Touch System
