News Briefs – July 5, 2006
GIS system promises streamlined communications
GeoComm released a new version of LynxComm, a web-based, real-time, distributed emergency operations GIS. It features an integrated map based on emergency mass telephone notification, real-time GPS tracking, wireless and wireless E911 locations, weather telemetry sensor status, as well as live web and network camera stills and video, among others. According to the company, the product combines the data to create a single, common operational view for users across different emergency-response disciplines.
Tom Ridge joins Iridium Satellite’s board
Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has been appointed to the board of directors of Iridium Satellite, a global provider of satellite technologies marketed to the government sector. Separately, the company recently announced it would work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by providing a new, second-generation Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami system of 31 ocean buoys that detect and monitor tsunami waves in the open ocean. The system collects and receives data from tsunameters on the seafloors before transmitting the data to NOAA warning centers via Iridium’s chain of low-earth orbiting satellites.
Patent squabble over RFID technology
Intermec filed suit against Alien Technology in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for patent infringement. The lawsuit alleges that Alien’s Generation 2 RFID readers and tags infringe on 10 of Intermec’s patents. The company is seeking an injunction against Alien that will prohibit it from selling the infringing RFID products, in addition to monetary damages.
Anaheim goes wireless
EarthLink launched a municipal Wi-Fi broadband network in Anaheim, Calif. Residents, businesses, visitors and municipal employees will have wireless access to the Internet throughout the city, for a fee. The company said fees would range from a one-day pass at $3.95 to $21.95 for monthly subscribers.