Sweden-based Cycore is granted geographic Web search patent for North America and Europe

UPPSALA , Sweden , December 21, 2004 -
Web 3D software vendor secures geographic and location search patent

Cycore, a market leader in interactive 3D for the Web, today announced it has received approval of a 2D and/or 3D spatial Web search methodology patent, originally filed in 1998. The patent, covering the process of searching for nearby businesses and services based on geography, may affect Web search engines that are developing similar technology, making Cycore a player in the Web search industry.

"Cycore has long been known as a forward-thinking company," said Jerry Pettersson, Cycore’s founder and author of the patent. "We have already made significant contributions to the progress of the World Wide Web, bringing real-time 3D interactivity to the Internet and thus, helping to set new standards for the user experience. Leveraging the power of 3D technology, this patent further positions Cycore as an innovator in the future of the Web."

Covering the method for administrating large amounts of data being associated with a spatial/geographic entity, United States Patent No. 6,772,174 and European Patent No. EP1131932 encompasses the enabling of geographic and location search via a local network, a wide area network, a public network or any combination. The computer system represents the output layers to the user by means of a virtual representation of a spatial entity generated by a computer, and the data for generating the layers are administrated by a data communication network. Different sets of data are represented as different layers that interact and are presented to the user as being superimposed on the representation of the geographical entity, the different layers of data may interact so as to produce a new representation for the user or to initiate actions at systems or items being external to the computer operated by the user.

"Imagine a map displayed in three dimensions", says Pettersson "in which areas of user interest encompass a number of details down to the interior of a restaurant or a hotel. Details could include a vast amount of information like prices, telephone numbers, restaurant menus, etc. External event-related information may also be obtained via the map such as traffic reports, weather forecasts, news, and ongoing events. In addition, users could access statistical data related to an area such as crime rates, weather statistics, exchange rates, and more. Everything a user would want to know at their fingertips, all layered in logical formation within the physical area they are interested in".

"There is no question that search within a geographic context ­localized search ­is a hot topic today in Web search", said Sue Feldman, IDC's VP for Content Technologies. "Searchers want to find the coffee shop, pizza shop, or book store that is nearest to them, not halfway across the continent. Today, Web search companies deliver that kind of information with a combination of profiles and look-up schemes or by asking the user for his current location. If Web search can deliver that kind of information more effectively, Web searchers will be better served, and the keyword advertising business will take yet another upward swing."

"The search engine technology market has been rapidly moving towards geographic and location search," says Pettersson. "The Industry giants in the search arena are progressively moving towards applications that can display and give the user a relevant result, based on search query and geographic position. Cycore now holds the key methodology to current and future development of these applications."

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is considered the best way to handle, display and search information about a geographic location. Cycore’s patent adds another dimension to this technology by being able to show layers and phenomena of event data that have happened or will happen in a geographic area. According to Pettersson, Google’s recent acquisition of Keyhole, creators of EarthViewer technology, is proof positive that spatial search using layered information is the direction in which the search market is headed.

"It has been Cycore’s thinking since we filed for the patent in 1998 that the industry would eventually move in this direction," says Pettersson. "Recent announcements from industry giants prove that local search and customized search are the next frontiers in search technology­ and Cycore is poised to lead the way."

Cycore is currently deciding on its future plans for the patent. Licensing and/or sale of the patent are options currently being considered. "We are pleased to have secured a patent that will continue to meet our core vision of enriching the user searches through visualization," says Pettersson.


Link to Publication of US Patent No. 6,772,174:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=
HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=
ptxt&s1=jerry&s2=pettersson&OS=jerry+AND+pettersson&RS=jerry+AND
+pettersson

For editorial information, please contact:
Jerry Pettersson +46705404702, jerry@cycore.com or Ted Iannuzzi, 416-854-2858, ted@cycore.com

About Cycore
Cycore is the market leader in interactive 3D software for e-business. Cycore Cult3D® software is an award winning product visualization technology used on websites, in Microsoft Office® documents and in Adobe Acrobat® files, to help e-businesses increase online sales, enhance sales presentations and improve customer service. More than 500 brand name companies, including CNN, Fiat, Longines, Nokia, Sony and Toyota use Cult3D. To date the number of Cult3D viewer downloads exceeds 14 million. The company was founded and maintains headquarters in Sweden, with offices in North America, France and Germany. For further information please visit www.cycore.com