TeleCommunication Systems Receives 12 U.S. Patents Advancing Public Safety, Mobile Location, Messaging, Wireless Data, Mapping and Secure Communications Technologies

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued TCS 12 patents during the third quarter of 2012. These patents describe innovations in wireless data, navigation, public safety, messaging, mobile location and secure communications and further strengthen these areas of TCS' intellectual property.

The USPTO issued one patent to TCS related to wireless data:

• "System For An Open Architecture Development Platform With Centralized Synchronization" (U.S. Patent 8,224,886)

This key wireless data patent describes methods by which a wireless device can be remotely managed, so that it has only the approved applications and data on the device. Mobile Device Management (MDM) has become an important part of the services that a wireless operator or wirelessly-enabled enterprise wish to provide to ensure that the devices provided to that environment's users have the allowed applications on the device and are synchronized with an approved, centrally-managed repository.

The USPTO issued two patents to TCS related to navigation:

• "Stateful, Double-Buffered Dynamic Navigation Voice Prompting" (U.S. Patent 8,224,572)
• "Image Tile Server" (U.S. Patent 8,244,770)

The 8,224,572 key patent describes a navigation system and methods to create multiple buffers to handle voice prompts used in turn-by-turn navigation systems. Constructing broad and flexible voice prompts often results in the excessive consumption of a system's time and resources and can cause the prompts to be delivered late if calculated in real time. By using multiple buffers, the voice prompts can be created in anticipation of upcoming navigation events and can be delivered in a more timely fashion, creating a more seamless communication with the driver. With a priority date that traces back to 2007, the 8,224,572 patent demonstrates the foresight and thought leadership that TCS enjoys in the mobile navigation market.

The USPTO issued one patent to TCS related to public safety:

• "SS7 ANSI-41 To SIP Based Call Signaling Conversion Gateway For Wireless VoIP E911" (U.S. Patent 8,228,897)

This public safety patent is a key element of TCS' method to support wireless E9-1-1 calls that are originated by smartphones on an IP-based infrastructure. IP-based phone calls are usually designated as Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. When a wireless subscriber uses the phone in a WiFi hotspot, the phone call looks more like a VoIP call, and a more precise location (e.g., the address of the home or office) can often be provided. But this information is expected to be conveyed using wireless E9-1-1 communication methods. This patent describes a signaling conversion gateway system and methods that allow this hybrid approach to work in today's public safety networks.

The USPTO issued 5 patents to TCS related to messaging:

• "Wireless Chat Automatic Status Tracking" (U.S. Patent No. 8,244,220)
• "All-HTTP Multimedia Messaging" (U.S. Patent No. 8,243,890)
• "Intelligent Queue For Information TeleService Messages With Superceding Updates" (U.S. Patent No. 8,244,218)
• "Mobile-originated to HTTP Communications" (U.S. Patent No. 8,260,329)
• "Short Message Distribution Center" (U.S. Patent No. 8,265,673)

The Mobile-originated to HTTP communications patent (8,260,329) is a key wireless messaging patent that describes an Internet gateway and methods through which a wireless subscriber can initiate two-way, SMS-based communication with an Internet-based application. Person-to-Application (or P2A) SMS services such as televoting, SMS-based banking, trivia games and other query-based applications are very popular and easy to implement using web-based server implementations that are described by this patent. This patent ties back to U.S. Patent No. 6,891,811, "Short Messaging Service Center Mobile-originated to HTTP internet communications," filed in 2000, and shares the priority dates associated with that patent.

The USPTO issued two patents to TCS related to mobile location:

• "Geospatial Location Associated with Content on a Network" (U.S. Patent No. 8,244,802)
• "Mobile Based Area Event Handling When Currently Visited Network Does Not Cover Area" (U.S. Patent No. 8,249,589)

The USPTO issued one patent to TCS related to secure communications:

• "Reach-Back Communications Terminal With Selectable Networking Options (Swiftlink 1400)" (U.S. Patent 8,239,669)

"TCS is continually looking for ways to create new and innovative technologies," said Maurice B. Tose, TCS chairman, CEO and president. "Receiving these 12 new patents is proof of this commitment, and it shows that TCS is constantly developing important solutions that will improve how we communicate wirelessly."

"Through both licensing and partnership arrangements in core and non-core business areas, there is an abundance of opportunities to leverage our 200+ patents and other intellectual property worldwide," said Bob Held, TCS senior director of intellectual asset management.

With clear strengths in public safety, mobile location, messaging, and the wireless communication fields, TCS has created an impressive intellectual property portfolio. Meaningful partnerships with other industry-leading companies can be developed through direct licensing, cross licensing and joint venture agreements. In 2012, TCS was issued 49 U.S. patents; for the year to date, TCS filed 48 U.S. patents, bringing the total number of patents issued worldwide to TCS to date to 249, with over 350 patent applications pending worldwide.

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology. TCS infrastructure forms the foundation for market leading solutions in E9-1-1, text messaging, commercial location and deployable wireless communications. TCS is at the forefront of new mobile cloud computing services providing wireless applications for navigation, hyper-local search, asset tracking, social applications and telematics. Millions of consumers around the world use TCS wireless apps as a fundamental part of their daily lives. Government agencies utilize TCS' cyber security expertise, professional services, and highly secure deployable satellite solutions for mission-critical communications. Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, TCS maintains technical, service and sales offices around the world. To learn more about emerging and innovative wireless technologies, 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. Specifically, the statement that there are "opportunities to leverage our company's 200+ patents and other intellectual property around the world, through both licensing and partnership arrangements in core and non-core business areas" is a forward-looking statement. Risks include without limitation the possibility that no licensing revenues will result from these efforts, and 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, 2011, and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

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.

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SOURCE TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.