GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, Nov. 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- O2Micro(r) International Limited (Nasdaq:OIIM) (SEHK:0457), a leading supplier of innovative power management, and security components and systems, was issued 18 claims under United States patent number 7,119,516 for its Cordless Power Tool Identification circuitry.
The Cordless Power Tool Identification circuitry provides a removable battery pack with information that is unique to the cordless tool. This can enable the battery to adjust to the load type while also increasing user safety by identifying non-authorized batteries that may not have been safety qualified. Applications include, but are not limited to, drills, circular and reciprocating saws, sanders, screwdrivers and flashlights.
William Kao, vice president, O2Micro, said, "We are excited about this key addition to O2Micro's Cool Battery Technology(tm) IP portfolio. This patent supports an architecture that can secure a cordless power tool to identify a safety qualified, compatible battery pack and allow the battery pack to support those power tools within its specification range. This can greatly enhance user safety."
About O2Micro
Founded in April 1995, O2Micro develops and markets innovative power management, and security components and systems for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, and Communications markets. Products include Intelligent Lighting, Battery Management, Power Management, SmartCardBus(r) and Security products, such as VPN/Firewall system solutions.
O2Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 6,107 patent claims granted, and over 8,000 more pending. The company maintains offices worldwide. Additional company and product information can be found on the company website at www.o2micro.com.
O2Micro, the O2Micro logo, SmartCardBus and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of O2Micro. Cool Battery Technology and combinations thereof are trademarks of O2Micro. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Statements made in this release that are not historical, including statements regarding O2Micro's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as reduced demand for products of electronic equipment manufacturers which include O2Micro's products due to adverse economic conditions in general or specifically affecting O2Micro's markets, technical difficulties and delays in the developments process, and errors in the products. You are also referred to the Form F-1 in connection with the company's initial public offering in August 2000, Form F-3 in connection with the company's public offering in November 2001, and the annual reports on Form 20-F, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.