BILLERICA, Mass., July 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Science and Engineering, Inc., ("AS&E") (Nasdaq:ASEI) a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced that it has reached a settlement with Rapiscan Systems, a division of OSI Systems, Inc., regarding Patent Interference No. 105,890 before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The proceeding involved technology used in high throughput personnel scanners which include using backscatter X-rays as a detection method.
The terms of the settlement are confidential. It can be reported, however, that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board awarded judgment in favor of AS&E and cancelled all of the claims in the Rapiscan patent.
AS&E's pending application, which will now return to ordinary examination by a patent examiner, is directed to aspects of dual-sided, high-throughput X-ray inspection systems that employ multiple detectors and sources to quickly screen people for explosive threats and other contraband. AS&E has already obtained many patents on backscatter technology.
"We are very pleased to reach a settlement with Rapiscan Systems regarding this interference action," said Chuck Dougherty, AS&E's President and CEO. "AS&E pioneered backscatter technology and the proceeding reaffirms our leading position in developing new applications for backscatter technology to help our customers solve their inspection problems."
American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the trusted global provider of threat and contraband detection solutions for ports, borders, military, critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and aviation. With over 50 years of experience, AS&E offers proven, advanced, X-ray inspection systems to combat terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal immigration and trade fraud. AS&E systems are designed in a variety of configurations for cargo and vehicle inspection, parcel inspection, and personnel screening. Using a combination of technologies, these systems provide superior detection capabilities, with high-energy, dual-energy, and Z Backscatter™ X-rays. Learn more about AS&E products and technologies at www.as-e.com.
Safe Harbor Statement: The foregoing press release contains statements concerning AS&E's financial performance, markets and business operations that may be considered "forward-looking" under applicable securities laws. AS&E wishes to caution readers of this press release that actual results might differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements contained herein include the following: significant reductions, delays or cancellations (in full or in part) in procurements of the Company's systems by the United States and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source component incorporated into AS&E's products; litigation seeking to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company; limitations under certain laws on the Company's ability to protect its own intellectual property; potential product liability claims against the Company; global political trends and events which affect public perception of the threat presented by drugs, explosives and other contraband; global economic developments and the ability of governments and private organizations to fund purchases of the Company's products to address such threats; the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate any future growth; technical problems and other delays that could impact new product development and the Company's ability to adapt to changes in technology and customer requirements; competitive pressures; lengthy sales cycles both in United States government procurement and procurement abroad; future delays in federal funding, the market price of the company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the company from time to time, the company's cash flows from operations and market and general economic conditions. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to time in AS&E's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time. Readers are further advised to review the "Risk Factors" set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, which further detail and supplement the factors described in this Safe Harbor Statement. Among other disclosures, the Risk Factors disclose risks pertaining to that portion of the Company's business that is dependent on United States government contracting as well as international customers.