3Com Awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,000,000; Receives Milestone Patent in Ceremony at Commerce Department for Palm Computing’s Synchronization Technology
WASHINGTON, DC — December 13, 1999 — In a ceremony held by the U.S. Commerce Department Friday, 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) was awarded the six millionth patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. During the ceremony, Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks Q. Todd Dickinson officially signed the patent and presented it to Alan Kessler, president of Palm Computing and a Senior Vice President of 3Com. Vice President Al Gore also sent congratulatory remarks which were read during the ceremony.
Entitled "Extendable Method for Synchronizing Multiple files on Two Different Computer Systems" by inventors Jeff Hawkins and Michael Albanese, the patent outlines the HotSync(R) technology used in Palm Computing(R) platform devices to synchronize the calendar, address book, memo pad, to-do lists and other applications on the handheld device with a workstation.
"In the information age, owning intellectual property is a critical factor to success. 3Com is a strong supporter of the patent process," said Mark Michael, senior vice president for legal and government relations of 3Com. "The company has been awarded more patents than any other data networking company, and continues to submit patent applications regularly to protect its technology."
"Palm Computing is dedicated to technology innovation driven by real-world, practical problem solving, and we are honored to be receiving this landmark patent No. 6,000,000," said Alan Kessler, president of Palm Computing. "Quick, easy backup of data is a key reason consumers adopt Palm(TM) devices over traditional pen-and-paper based organizers. The one-touch simplicity of the HotSync technology has been key to the success of our products."
It has taken a relatively short eight-year period to issue the patents No. 5,000,000 through No. 5,999,999. The five-millionth patent was issued in 1991 to the University of Miami, while the four-millionth patent was issued approximately twenty-five years prior to that. The U.S Patent and Trademark Office was founded over 200 years ago with Thomas Jefferson serving as its first official, and it issued the first patent in 1790.
"With the issuance today of the six-millionth patent a mere eight years after achieving the five million milestone, this is truly a testament to the incredible pace of technology innovation going on in this country today," commented Commissioner Dickinson. "This patent is a tremendous example of the creativity, innovation and usability of technology innovation happening now. Americans can take great pride in the fact that our country is fostering unprecedented levels of innovation as we approach the new millennium."
Palm Computing's HotSync technology allows users of handheld devices based on the Palm Computing platform to synchronize their information with a computer at a single touch of a button. The HotSync technology provides for fast, easy backup of data and the ability to put the most up-to-date information from a desktop computer or server into the pocket or purse of the user. To synchronize the handheld device with the computer, the user places the device in its small docking cradle, connected via a serial cable or modem to the desktop computer or server network, and touches the HotSync button on the cradle. The HotSync software then compares the information on the device with the version on the desktop computer or server and updates both instantaneously to reflect the new information. Because the software runs in the background, this process requires virtually no user interaction.
Video b-roll with comments from Commissioner Dickinson, the inventors and Alan Kessler and a technology demonstration is also available. To receive a copy, please contact Jason Caskey at 650.762.2813 or [email protected].
About the US Patent and Trademark Office
The PTO is the Commerce Department's user fee-funded bureau that administers laws relevant to granting patents and registering trademarks; advises the Secretary of Commerce, the President of the United States, and the Administration on patent, trademark and copyright protection; and advises the Secretary of Commerce, the President of the United States, and the Administration on the trade-related aspects of intellectual property. Last year PTO issued 161,000 patents and registered 104,000 trademarks. For more information, please visit www.uspto.gov.
About Palm Computing
Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com company, is the leading provider of personal companion products(a), including the best-selling Palm III(TM), Palm V(TM) and Palm VII(TM) series of connected organizers. The Palm Computing platform is the premiere handheld development environment and is the foundation for the market-leading connected organizers from Palm Computing as well as products from Palm Computing's strategic partners such as IBM, QUALCOMM, Franklin Covey and Symbol Technologies. Designed to support the increasingly mobile and geographically dispersed nature of information management, the company's handheld solutions allow people to carry their most critical information in their pockets. For more information, please visit www.palm.com.
About 3Com Corporation
With over 300 million customer connections worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people and organizations to information and each other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers e-Networking solutions through information access products and network systems to enterprises, small businesses, consumers, carriers and network service providers. 3Com More connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
Note (a): IDC, May 1999
Notices: 3Com, Palm Computing and HotSync are registered trademarks and Palm, Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII and More Connected are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
CONTACT:
A&R Partners for Palm Computing
Kristen Garrigus, 650/762-2832 [email protected]