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London and Stamford, Connecticut,
1 August 2002
Wacoh Corporation to license out accelerometer
sensor technology
The Wacoh Corporation, the award winning Japanese technology design
organisation, today announces its intention to license its patented
MEM accelerometer sensor technology to US and European companies.
Wacoh has appointed QED Intellectual Property Limited, the patent
licensing arm of technology development and licensing company Scipher
plc, (LSE: SIP) to negotiate licences for the use of Wacoh's intellectual
property (IP) and to help transfer the technology to a variety of
consumer product and automotive companies.
The key advantage of Wacoh's patented sensor technology is the
use of Micro-Electro Mechanical (MEM) processes, which lowers the
cost of the sensors to a level suitable for mass-market application.
In addition, the market for sensors has grown significantly in recent
years with applications being found in fields such as computer games,
automotive, scientific and mobile devices. Sensor technology is
used extensively in automotive impact protection systems, principally
in airbags, which are expected to have an global market size of
200 million units by 2006, up from 160 million units today. Wacoh's
inventions are applicable to these valuable and growing marketplaces
and are readily transferable into existing manufacturing systems.
Commenting on the agreement, David Hulston, Chief Executive Officer
of QED said, "Wacoh's accelerometers represent a step change
in the use and development of sensor technology. A variety of consumer
product and industrial manufacturers will now have access to highly
advanced, low cost sensors, greatly enhancing the functionality
of their products. We are delighted to be working with Wacoh in
licensing their technology outside of Japan."
Wacoh Chief Executive, Mr Okada, said: "QED has demonstrated
considerable expertise and success in licensing technology into
and out of Japan. Our collaboration with QED enables us to build
on the successful licensing program for these technologies, and
to fully exploit our IP on a truly global basis."
Companies interested in finding out more about this technology
or terms for a license should contact Chris Hardingham at QED on
+44 (0) 20 8848 6793.
Press Contacts:
Mr Okada:
Wacoh Corporation
Tel: +81 (0) 48-641-9995
Fax: +81 (0) 48-641-9996
E-mail: qvaile@qed-ip.com
Quentin Vaile: Marketing Manager
QED Intellectual Property Limited, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8848 6656
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8848 6469
Background information
About Wacoh Corporation
Wacoh is an R&D orientated venture company holding approximately
one hundred patents in Japan, US and Europe for technologies related
to bi and tri axial accelerometers, force sensors, etc. It was awarded
a prize of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in April
2001 for its business strategies focusing on the development and
exploitation of patents and intellectual property.
About Scipher
Scipher plc is the largest technology development and licensing
company of its type in Europe. Scipher delivers value from intellectual
property ("IP") in two principal ways:
- It commercialises patent-protected products developed by its
own R&D resources, through licensing or sale to high-growth
markets around the world
- Using its extensive expertise in IP management it creates value
from clients' IP assets by providing a complete license revenue
generating service.
Scipher's impressive portfolio of advanced technology products
and know-how covers the markets for Secure Identification, 3D Sound,
Displays, Communications and Sensors. Almost two-thirds of Scipher's
revenues are earned outside the UK in over 50 countries.
Scipher is backed by more than 70 years in advanced R&D including
developments of such historic importance as stereo recording, television
broadcasting and the medical CT scanner, which won a Nobel Prize
for its inventor. Scipher's continuing tradition of technological
achievement has been recognised most recently by the 2001 MacRobert
Award, the highest UK accolade for innovation, awarded for Scipher's
outstanding 3D Sound technology.
Scipher is traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:SIP) and is
a constituent of the TechMark 100 index. For further information
visit the website: www.scipher.com
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