Icron Strengthens USB Extension Patent Portfolio
- Filed under: USB News
- Date: Oct 6,2008
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Newly Acquired Patent Increases Icron’s USB Patent Portfolio to 19
Icron Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: IT), the developers of ExtremeUSB(R), 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 5, 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.
Source: Icron Technologies Corporation
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