Press Release
@Road Intellectual Property Portfolio Grows with the Two Recently Issued U.S. Patents
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues @Road patents for mobile-to-mobile device location capability, and a system and method for determining vehicle traffic and route conditions
FREMONT, CA – April 19, 2005 – @Road, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARDI), a global provider of Mobile Resource Management (MRM) solutions, announced that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently issued the Company two new patents centered around location-based technology and services. The first depicts a method for “Using location data to determine traffic and route information.” The second illustrates a “Method and system for a plurality of mobile units to locate one another.” @Road now claims ownership to 15 issued patents, with additional patents pending in jurisdictions around the world.
"These patents underscore the strength of our intellectual property portfolio made possible through our vigorous research and development initiatives," said Leo Jolicoeur, @Road chief marketing officer and senior vice president. "Through our efforts, we expect the issuance of additional patents that can protect our innovations and broaden our base of offerings in proprietary MRM solutions.
“Also as part of our ongoing strategy, we will continue to aggressively pursue intellectual property rights based on technology and systems that enable businesses and other organizations to optimize field force productivity and the service delivery process," Jolicoeur added.
In U.S. Patent No. 6,862,524, @Road describes a proprietary method for determining and disseminating current traffic information and route information. For example, a traffic data compilation computer linked to a data network collects location data from a plurality of mobile units, each of which is associated with an identification number. The computer compiles the location data, calculates the velocity of each mobile unit against speed limit data in the computer’s memory, and stores the difference. Based on the difference, the traffic data compilation computer determines traffic conditions surrounding each of the mobile units.
Upon receiving a request for traffic information from a user, the traffic data compilation computer retrieves traffic data pertaining to a desired geographic area and transmits a traffic level indicator to the user via a visual or audio interface device coupled to a person’s or vehicle’s mobile unit. Additionally, the traffic data compilation computer may examine and provide alternative routes, as well as determine the fastest route between two points under current traffic conditions.
The patent also describes the process of how a mobile device tethered to a vehicle can be monitored to determine if it follows a prescribed route or violates pre-programmed “rules” by entering a prohibited area or section of road. For example, in the case of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, the mobile device transmits location information to a server via a wireless network. The location server may be programmed with rules that specify notifying a designated party or appropriate authorities of a route violation based on the vehicle’s location. Directions or a map for exiting the prohibited area can also be provided to the vehicle’s driver.
In the second newly issued U.S. Patent, No. 6,867,733, @Road describes a method and system for enabling two mobile units to locate each other. When a user connects an interface device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless phone, laptop computer, or pager, to a mobile unit, the mobile unit can regularly obtain its location through a location-determining technology using GPS and send the unit’s location to a data center. The data center then stores and forwards the location information to each of the mobile units on a given wireless communication or data network. A user of a mobile unit can then send messages directly to other users with a location stamp that indicates the location of the message sender’s mobile unit. A user of a mobile unit can also send a request to be notified when a target mobile unit reaches a specific location, such as a landmark or address.
About @Road
@Road (NASDAQ: ARDI) is a global provider of solutions that intelligently automate the management of mobile resources required to optimize the service delivery process for customers across a variety of industries through real-time Mobile Resource Management infrastructure integrating wireless communications, location-based technologies, software applications, transaction processing and the Internet. @Road solutions provide a secure, scalable, upgradeable, enterprise-class platform, offered in hosted, on-premise or hybrid environments that seamlessly connect mobile workers in the field to real-time corporate data on-demand. @Road is headquartered in
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Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the ability of @Road to develop and protect new technologies; the dependence of @Road on mobile data systems technology, cellular and satellite networks, network infrastructure and positioning systems owned and controlled by others, and general economic and political conditions. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the @Road Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2005 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. @Road undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
@Road is a registered trademark of @Road, Inc. The @Road logo is a trademark of @Road, Inc.
Media Contact
Bob Stern
@Road Media Relations
(510) 870-1360
bstern@road-inc.com
Copyright 2008 @Road, a Division of Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved
