Newly Acquired Patent Increases Icron’s USB Patent Portfolio to 19
BURNABY B.C. October 1, 2008 – Icron Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: IT), the developers of ExtremeUSB®, today announced that it has acquired, from the original third party inventor, an early unassigned USB extension patent that further strengthens its existing patent portfolio on USB extension solutions. Icron’s USB patent portfolio now numbers 19 issued or pending patents.
The purchased patent titled “Extender apparatus for USB connection of computer units”, US Patent 6308215, issued in October 2001, is the earliest patent that deals with specific implementations of extending USB across a pair of wires. It complements Icron’s existing patents that extend USB at a protocol level over any media. The invention described in this patent enables USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 peripherals to be connected to a host over a pair of wires and is found in many applications today, particularly in the USB 1.1 active cable extension market.
With over 2.6 Billion USB-enabled devices shipping in 2007 alone, USB continues to be the most recognized and successful interface for device connectivity in the PC, CE and mobile device market. “As Icron continues to enter new markets, and implement virtual USB solutions over more and more platforms, we will continue to expand our patent portfolio to protect our intellectual property in implementing USB in new innovative ways.” commented Robert Eisses, President and CEO for Icron. “Icron continues its unparalleled leadership in the USB bridging and extension market with the addition of this patent and with the expansion of our USB 2.0 bridging product line including USB over Cat 5e, Wireless, Powerline, and Fibre at distances of up to 40km.”
Icron believes that there are a number of USB extension implementations on the market today that are covered by this patent, and will be looking for opportunities to license the patent to companies where appropriate.
About Icron Technologies Corp.
Icron Technologies Corporation’s patented ExtremeUSB® technology extends the range of USB 1.1 / 2.0 over Cat 5e, Wireless, Fibre, Powerline, coax and phone lines, at distances of up to 40km. Icron’s USB extension and bridging products are deployed globally in a wide range of applications including: digital home connectivity, industrial automation, medical imaging, aerospace, and KVM extension. Icron Technologies new “TV2.0” PC-to-TV solutions transmit PC Video plus USB over any media to deliver complete PC functionality anywhere in the home. TV2.0 allows consumers to watch TV and perform PC tasks such as email, web surfing, online gaming, working with Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and running any PC application, all from the comfort of their couch.
Icron is a publicly traded corporation and trades under the symbol “IT” on the TSX Venture Exchange. For more information on the company and its products, please visit www.icron.com.
Contact Information
| Icron Media Contact | |
| Brigitta Shore brigitta.shore@icron.com |
Phone: +1 604-729-9479 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Except for statements of historical fact, all statements in this news release — including, without limitation, statements regarding financial estimates and future plans and objectives of Icron — are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.