Empower Technologies™ Granted Japanese Patent March 10, 2009 – Richmond, BC Canada – Empower Technologies (TSX.V: EPT) (Empower) is pleased to announce the Company has received an international patent titled “System and Method of Pen-based Data Input Into a Computing Device” in Japan and assigned Japanese Patent Number 4242270. This patent on handwriting recognition was previously granted in the U.S. in 2007 with US Patent No. 7,280,695. The patent is for an improved system and method for pen-based handwritten and keystroke data input into a computer system (such as a smart phone or a tablet computer with pen/stylus-based handwriting input capability). The system and method receives pen-based data entry from multiple related input boxes within a handwriting area on a digitizer pad. Thread-based processing allows each input box or group of input boxes to be separately evaluated, providing for continuous character recognition. Character strokes entered into each input box or group of input boxes are saved and interpreted together to allow more complete recognition of naturally written characters. Improvements on keyboard layouts are also disclosed. The Company has applied this patent in other key international computing markets. Receiving the patent in Japan is important since it is one of the largest economies in the world with very sophisticated consumers and businesses to apply computer technology and to manufacture computers and consumer electronics. It is advantageous for Empower to have local patent protection for their technology in countries and regions where developers and manufacturers that make use of our patents are doing business. The Company will continue to monitor any possible infringing technologies against this patent wherever it is legally recognized. If the Company detects any infringement and the conditions are right, then it will vigorously defend the patent until a satisfactory outcome is reached. Empower had signed a non-exclusive distribution agreement in May 2008 with Advantec Computer Systems, LLC (Advantec), of Marlborough , Massachusetts. In accordance with the agreement, Empower appointed Advantec as a non-exclusive distributor for the H1000 industrial handheld computer being developed by Empower. Once development has been completed and Advantec has approved the handheld and contingent on it receiving orders from its customers, and subject to certain terms and conditions of the agreement, then it will place orders with Empower. Development of the handheld has taken longer than anticipated and accordingly, the Company is currently in discussion with Advantec to extend the date for delivery of the prototype H1000 handheld. However, there can be no assurance that the extension will be agreed to.
About Empower Technologies™ Founded in 2000, Empower Technologies (TSX.V: EPT) is an innovative company that brings the power and flexibility of the LEOs® (LinuxDA™ Embedded Operating System) to the dynamic embedded computing Industry and the emerging Intelligent Appliance Market, through their development of Linux-based operating software, embedded system technologies and solutions. The products and services that form the base of its business activities include an embedded system development platform for LEOs®, based on Texas Instruments™ embedded CPU platform, that fulfill the needs and demands of developers and the embedded computing Industry. Empower is continuing to develop LEOs® and newer versions of embedded CPUs in line with Texas Instruments™. By uniting top professionals from within the computer industry and developing quality partnerships and strategic alliances, Empower is committed to being the leading developer of Linux-based operating software and embedded system technologies and solutions for electronics manufacturers and developers. Empower's brands are “LEOs®”, “LinuxDA™”, Linux-based embedded operating systems and “PowerPlay™”, smart consumer electronics.
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