SMART granted U.S. patent for core technology
DViTTM technology patent portfolio grows to five
CALGARY, Alberta --- March 03, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company patent number 6,972,401, recognizing the innovative illuminated bezel and touch system incorporated in SMART’s DViTTM (digital vision touch) technology.
Digital cameras in the bezel detect contact with the screen and translate it to the computer as mouse activity. With no layers of material on the surface of the display to produce the touch, DViT technology offers superior image quality. This patent adds to SMART’s four previously granted U.S. patents (Pat. 6,803,906, Pat. 6,919,880, Pat. 6,947,032, Pat. 6,954,197) related to the precise, intuitive touch control of DViT technology incorporated into SMART’s rear-projection interactive whiteboards, flat-panel overlays, interactive pen displays and interactive digital signage products. The latest patent adds to SMART’s growing patent portfolio.
“This additional patent reflects our commitment to innovation, validates our technology leadership, and protects and strengthens our intellectual property position,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and co-CEO. “We continue to pursue this and other patents in the U.S. and worldwide.”
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global market segment leader in easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. SMART products include the family of award-winning SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, as well as interactive pen displays, interactive digital signage, wireless slates and software. Using SMART products, groups can access and share the information they need to meet, teach, train and present. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous other U.S., Canadian and foreign patents pending. SMART customers include NASA, Texas Instruments, BMW, Toyota Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, NTT, the Los Angeles Lakers, Novartis, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, British Telecom, Disney Imagineering and Harvard University.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 800 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ottawa, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and Washington DC. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product
development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com.
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For more information, contact:
Marina Geronazzo
Manager, Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 – 11th Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.2556 Fax +1.403.228.2500
MarinaGeronazzo@smarttech.com
www.smarttech.com
2006 SMART Technologies Inc. Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.