Calgary, AB — January 26, 2009 — (TSX: HEM) Hemisphere GPS has started off the year by announcing that it continues to grow its intellectual property portfolio with two new patents. With approximately 50 pending and issued patents, Hemisphere GPS continues to strengthen its position as a leading innovator and manufacturer of advanced GPS products.
The Satellite Based Vehicle Guidance Control in Straight and Contour Modes patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,437,230) is for a method and system in which an agricultural vehicle is steered using GPS data. The method computes the position and heading of the vehicle, among other data components, to provide steering guidance. This patent covers the method for providing guidance both for straight (parallel) and contour (curved or circular) paths. Hemisphere GPS customers are already benefiting from this technological advance. It is currently utilized in Hemisphere GPS’ successful Outback eDriveTC™ and GPSteer™ products, and allows farmers to accurately position their vehicles to avoid skipped or overlapped rows, minimize wasted seed and chemicals, and decrease overall input costs.
The Soil Cultivation Implement Control Apparatus and Method patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,460,942) enables the position of a towed agricultural implement to be controlled and maintained using GPS data. The system includes an intra-rig sensor and a GPS receiver, which relay the absolute position of the implement relative to the earth. The system can then move the implement laterally using a hydraulic actuator; to keep it from drifting off the desired path. This technology will enable farmers to cultivate precise and repeatable rows even with large and heavy towed implements, which are sometimes difficult to control. The Implement Control technique is a variation on Hemisphere GPS’ other equipment position control patents, giving the company even greater protection of its intellectual property and broader coverage in the marketplace.
“We are looking forward to 2009 to be another strong year for Hemisphere GPS,” says Dr. Mike Whitehead, Chief Scientist of Hemisphere GPS. “We are anticipating being awarded several more patents for our innovations this coming year. Of course, our customers will enjoy the fruits of that labor as we bring even more technologically advanced and robust products to market.”
About Hemisphere GPS
Hemisphere GPS designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective GPS products for positioning, guidance, and machine control applications in agriculture, marine and other markets. The Company holds numerous patents and other intellectual property and owns leading brand names, including Outback Guidance® and BEELINE®, two of the leading brands in precision GPS for ground agriculture. The Company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with major product development, sales, and marketing facilities in Arizona, Kansas, Texas, and Australia. Hemisphere GPS trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HEM” and is a component of Standard & Poor’s TSX SmallCap Index. For more information about Hemisphere GPS, please go to www.hemispheregps.com.
The above disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Hemisphere GPS’ control, including: the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to the announced transactions and the final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. Hemisphere GPS’ actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceed, that Hemisphere GPS will derive there from.