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Eighth Assisted Global Positioning System Patent Issued to TCS
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Invention Assists in Rapidly Determining the Accurate Location of Mobile Handsets
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (Nasdaq: TSYS), a leading provider of mission-critical wireless communications, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent number 7,411,546 for "Other Cell Sites Used As Reference Point To Cull Satellite Ephemeris Information For Quick, Accurate Assisted Locating Satellite Location Determination." The patent describes a means for using a reference point -- other than a cellular base station currently servicing a wireless user -- to determine the position of a mobile user.
The TCS invention allows a wireless subscriber's location to be determined more quickly and accurately than traditional assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) methods. By using a cell site not currently being used by a wireless user, the invention also allows a best-guess as to the near-future location of a mobile user.
"A-GPS is the technology of choice for accurate location determination by both CDMA and GSM carriers," said Drew Morin, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer for TCS. "TCS will continue to support mobile operators' A-GPS deployments with our Xypoint® product and services."
Following the sale of an email patent in the second quarter of this year, TCS now holds 59 patents with 194 applications pending. The new award represents the eighth in TCS' A-GPS portfolio. A-GPS usage is expected to continue to grow substantially in the future as operators worldwide deploy A-GPS handsets and infrastructure for precise location determination. ABI Research recently predicted shipment of more than 550 million GPS-enabled handsets by 2012.
About The Invention
There are 29 satellites in the GPS network, each orbiting the Earth approximately six times per day. As a user moves his or her wireless GPS device from one location to another, the satellites in view relative to that location change. GPS devices attempting to determine the user's position can now take advantage of this invention and receive a culled list of satellites from which a faster and more accurate location can be determined.
The "Other Cell Sites Used As Reference Point To Cull Satellite Ephemeris Information For Quick, Accurate Assisted Locating Satellite Location Determination" patent provides for a means and method to cull a plurality of locating satellites by using as a reference point a cell site that is not currently being used by the mobile device. The patent also discusses averaging the location of multiple non-serving cell sites to arrive at a reference point.
About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (Nasdaq: TSYS) produces wireless data communications technology solutions that require proven high levels of reliability. TCS provides wireless and VoIP E9-1-1 network-based services, secure deployable communication systems, engineered satellite-based services, and commercial location applications, like traffic and navigation, using the precise location of a wireless device. Customers include leading wireless, cable MSOs, and VoIP carriers around the world, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. For more information, 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 those detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
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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