INNOVATIVE POINT & LEARN TECHNOLOGY DELIVERS INFORMATION TO MOBILE USERS AND SYSTEM OPERATORS

Orono ME – October 18, 2005 – Intelligent Spatial Technologies, Inc. (iST), a technology leader in location-based services for mobile users, announces the release of the iPointer system.  iST’s iPointer system empowers users to explore a defined area, pointing and learning at will.  Users select landmarks or items of interest and the iPointer delivers multimedia information based on the user’s geographic location and orientation.  Unlike current proximity-dependent self-guided tour technology, the iPointer system is comprised of global positioning system (GPS) and digital compass technology integrated into a pocket PC, a wireless network, and iST’s geospatial database.  This combination of technologies gives iPointer users unprecedented freedom to explore an area, selecting what and when to be informed. 

According to iST President Chris Frank, “iPointer beta sites report that their ability to give end users the flexibility to interact with information as they choose and as they move about freely has been met with enthusiastic responses.  The iPointer system empowers end users to learn about objects that they select as they choose and explore their surroundings at will. 

“We believe that as usage grows, the iPointer technology has the potential to be embedded into a number of pervasive computing devices, such as cell phones and PDAs,” Frank concluded.

iST is developing initial applications for installation on corporate and college campuses, historic areas and theme parks.  According to company research, in 2004 there were more than 700 historic sites and theme parks with nearly 350 million visitors and more than $11 billion in revenues.  The top 25 most visited amusement parks in USA attracted 125.9 million visitors in 2004.

Technology Enables Two-Way Flow of Information

As the iPointer system provides end-users with information on selected items, it can also deliver messages customized to end-user interests, such as schedules, or discounts and coupons.  For the system manager, the iPointer system uplinks end-user usage information for statistical analysis and trending.  This enables management to determine valuable user information such as foot traffic patterns, changes in user interests, facility use and more.  The near real time analysis of user data supports better management of onsite resources and use the iPointer’s feedback to end-users to improve their experience.  For example, management can drive activity from under- and over-utilized areas with a combination of changes of schedules and promotion of alternatives to users.

The iPointer system consists of a hand-held, multimedia computing device, a wireless network and a powerful geospatial database.  iPointer’s hand-held device consists of a Microsoft  Mobile OS-based computer integrating a digital magnetic compass (that records the device’s pointing direction), a GPS receiver (that records the user’s current location), and a wireless connection to iST’s database via the Internet.  IST’s database, built on an Oracle 10g platform, contains geospatial data, descriptive and multimedia data, and runs iST’s advanced pointing landmark selection algorithms to accurately identify landmarks selected by users.

When users wish to identify a landmark, they point iPointer’s hand-held device at it and press a button.  The iPointer device receives coordinate signals from GPS satellites and orientation information from the digital magnetic compass to identify the user’s location and device’s pointing angle.  These coordinates are then sent over the wireless network to the database.  iST’s geospatial database’s selection algorithms identify the selected landmark and sends information back over the wireless network to be displayed in text, visuals and audio on the user’s device.

iST has also developed a web application interface to the geospatial database that supports uploading content in real-time by system managers.  This supports keeping the information delivered by iPointer system accurate and up-to-date, as well as sending messages to users about current events based on their location and interests.

Pricing & Availability

iST charges for the creation of iPointer’s geospatial database and installation of its iPointer system, then provides the hand-held user devices and support services for a monthly charge.  iST will also install the iPointer system and train onsite personnel for those facilities that want to take ownership and operate iPointer as a proprietary system.  For information on installation and service contract pricing contact iST’s sales office, (207) 866-6521, or visit the company’s website www.i-spatialtech.com.
About Intelligent Spatial Technologies, Inc.

Founded in 2003 and privately held, Orono Maine based iST develops location-based services and technologies for mobile users.  iST has developed the iPointer system, a pointing technology that enables specific content about selected landmarks to be delivered to a mobile user, based on geographic location and orientation.  iPointer answers mobile users’ questions “where am I and what am I looking at?”  For more information on iST, its technology and products, visit the company’s website www.i-spatialtech.com.

# # #

iST and iPointer are registered trademarks of Intelligent Spatial Technologies, Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their prospective owners.