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Diversinet Awarded Patents for Mobile Application Downloads and Security
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Technology Automatically Matches Apps with Each Handset's Requirements, Slashing Costs for Wireless Carriers and Other App Store Operators
Toronto -- Two new patents issued to Diversinet Corp. (TSX Venture: DIV, OTCBB: DVNTF) provide wireless carriers, device vendors and other members of the mobile ecosystem advanced methods for resolving two of the industry's biggest problems: security and fragmentation.
Diversinet has integrated these patented solutions into its MobiSecure products and offers the patents independently for intellectual property licensing.
U.S. Patent # 7,680,755 covers the automatic detection and classification of a mobile device, such as a smartphone or feature phone. The patent resolves problems that arise when carrier - or aggregator - operated online mobile app stores must support multiple operating systems (OSs) and platforms, like Android and J2ME. Every mobile device vendor supports multiple OSs and implements an OS differently, forcing developers to rebuild their apps to meet each device's unique requirements.
Analysts estimate that as many as 6 billion mobile apps will be downloaded in 2010, more than double the number in 2009. For carriers and other app store operators, the downside of this growth is the cost of resolving problems when mobile users select app versions that don't meet their particular device requirements.
Diversinet's patented technology solves the fragmentation issue by identifying each device as it registers with an app store's server and then automatically providing it with the correct version - all with no human intervention. This system also can be updated to support new device models and OSs as they become available in the marketplace.
The patented method is designed to lower support costs for carriers and vendors with branded app stores, as well as aggregators and developers, while consumers can enjoy a hassle-free download experience. These advantages apply to any mobile application, including games, utilities and business software, that is available on multiple OSs and device platforms.
The second new patent, Canadian Patent # 2,365,441, provides unprecedented security for mobile digital communications of information, like those involved in financial transactions and maintaining patient health care records. It helps licensees ensure compliance with industry best practices and security requirements in such laws as the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in Canada and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. The patent features pseudonymic digital identifiers, which are random strings of numbers that act as aliases for user names.
The patented method uses these identifiers for both individuals and servers, enabling anonymous transactions that can be conducted and authenticated more securely than if real identities were used. This approach also uses highly compact identifiers that are ideal for bandwidth-constrained situations, such as in areas where only a GPRS or CDMA2000 1X network is available. Compact identifiers are also optimal for devices with limited storage, including smart cards, feature phones and RFID devices.
The new Canadian patent is similar to U.S. Patent # 7,103,774, issued to Diversinet in September 2006. Both patents have been proven in real-world solutions, including multiple Diversinet products.
With the award of these two new patents, Diversinet's intellectual property portfolio has 14 patents in the U.S., Canada andIsrael, with 35 patents pending.
"The new patents exemplify the innovation, flexibility and mobile security expertise Diversinet brings to the wireless industry and particularly the mobile healthcare sector," said Albert Wahbe, Diversinet chairman and CEO. "Our company is focusing on using our strengths to provide secure, convenient tools for mHealth applications, such as portable health records, remote patient diagnostics and wellness programs. However, our patented techniques are widely applicable across the mobile ecosystem."
Hussam Mahgoub, senior vice president of corporate development and research at Diversinet, added: "Diversinet's extensive patent portfolio gives our business partners and licensees a broad selection of protected, industry-exclusive features that provide their mobile solutions with a clear competitive advantage. We welcome opportunities to monetize our intellectual property through licensing agreements and other initiatives."
About Diversinet
Diversinet Corp. (TSX Venture: DIV, OTCBB: DVNTF) provides the healthcare industry with applications that securely connect people with their healthcare information, providers and payers - anyway, anytime and anywhere. Diversinet's reliable, end-to-end MobiSecure platform offers global, secure and cost-effective applications to meet rapidly growing needs for mobile personal health records. Connect with Diversinet Corp. at www.diversinet.com. Healthcare. Connected and Protected.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws provide a "safe harbour" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the success of current product offerings. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties, including the uncertainty of the outcome of the proceedings initiated by AllOne, that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at www.sec.gov and Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
MobiSecure is a registered trademark of Diversinet Corp. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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