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Two U.S. Patents on Location-Based Conferencing and Secure Communication Systems Technology Issued to TeleCommunication Systems

^{Published on 2009-12-02 04:11:02 - Market Wire}
 

ANNAPOLIS, MD--(Marketwire - December 2, 2009) - TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: [ TSYS ]), a leading provider of mission-critical wireless communications, today announced the issuance by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of patent number 7,626,951 entitled "VoIP Location-Based Conferencing" and patent number 7,626,977 entitled "Standard Telephone Equipment (STE) Based Deployable Secure Communication System."

TCS patent number 7,626,951 describes a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) conference bridge with access based in part on the geographic location of the participants. The bridge provides the ability for a VoIP user to utilize their own geographic position to narrow down or pinpoint known and even unknown third parties meeting the user's criteria based on their physical location to join a VoIP phone conference.

Existing conferencing systems for putting VoIP users in touch with one another relied upon prior knowledge and contact information existing between the specified users. There were no existing mechanisms to create a voice link between VoIP communication devices based on the location of each VoIP user (and potentially other preferences or attributes). TCS patent number 7,626,951 provides that functionality, significantly expanding the utility of VoIP in teleconferencing.

TCS patent number 7,626,977 provides methods of and apparatus' for cloaking telephone communications within a deployable secure cellular communication system. Sensitive, Standard Telephone Equipment (STE)-encrypted data is encapsulated into IP packets. The packets are addressed to an IP device that removes the encapsulated, encrypted data and passes it to a similar STE device for decryption. However, the IP encapsulated, encrypted data is passed over the public Internet, taking advantage of its wide availability and flexibility.

Conventional systems for STE based secure communication systems are typically physically large (e.g., the size of a van). More importantly, such conventional systems require all elements to be maintained in a secure environment, including the data transport system (e.g., satellite communication system) over which the data travels to another secure communications terminal. Such secure data transport systems are costly to install and maintain, and always run a risk of being compromised. The TCS system as described in US patent 7,626,977 changes this paradigm by providing a lightweight, easily portable and easily deployable communication system that is both more secure than conventional systems and allows flexibility in use of non-secure data transport systems like the Internet.

"The two patents issued to TCS today exemplify the breadth and quality of our innovation engine," said Drew Morin, chief technology officer of TCS. "From developing new systems to provide secure communication for military, intelligence and commercial markets to pioneering new capabilities for the fast growing Voice over IP technology space, TCS continues to demonstrate technological leadership in telecommunications."

TCS now holds 93 patents with approximately 268 applications pending.

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: [ TSYS ]) engineers and delivers highly reliable wireless communications technology. TCS is a leader in wireless text messaging and location-based technology, including E9-1-1 services and commercial applications like navigation that use the precise location of a wireless device, and secure satellite-based communications systems and services. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, cable MSOs, automotive telematics vendors, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. TCS is one of six primary vendors on a $5 billion Army Worldwide Satellite Systems Contract vehicle. 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 without limitation those detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. 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.