The latest patent discussions with WIPO are very interesting (11/17 - 2/18 and ongoing). Apart from being the kind of ultrafinicky nit-picking discussions one would expect from battling patent attorneys - which they certainly are - they reveal the level of progress of the device that is being patented.
It should be pointed out that none of the properties of the device could even be begun to be debated like this if the device was not a tangible product that was able to be produced and tested and subject to redesign modification! This is not a chimera; it is a real device, at a very advanced stage of development!
The MEMS is now based on electromagnetic pixel movement coupled with electrostatic latching of the pixel elements. This is a significant shift from the first invention's patent claims. In short: this works better.
In the description of the patent application in the latest design the hardware is simpler, control is simpler, the interconnections are simpler, the data storage requirements are lower, and the control is more efficient.
The tech has now evolved to incorporate programming to permanently latch shut any defective pixels and to produce hi-fi sound using the remaining good pixels. This appears to allow adjustments both in original setup and subsequently, should any further pixels deteriorate in use. (this is my reading - NB: I'm not a patent attorney nor am I that familiar with the "art" so my interpretations may not be correct! DYOR for sure!)
Patent protection is also being sought to use the pixel array to use secondary ultrasonic beams from the same device when sound producing signals are not being emitted to sense objects in the device's environment and to distinguish inanimate objects that absorb or reflect sound from people, by their reflections and movements. This will also be used to recognise gestures from people to allow control of the system. It also allows lots of other applications to be made possible! PS: This does not interfere with the reproduction of sound in any way!
Quite how this current conversation between the WIPO and AKP though its patent lawyers affects the timing of any public revelation of the device is uncertain to me, but I somehow doubt AKP will be eager to publicly show a device that does not have effective patent protection.
Quite how this state of development is reflected in the lack of any announcement from the company re the state of production devices that were being "worked on" and were expected to be announced within 3-4 weeks is also anyone's guess. It is now 11 weeks and still no comment. Personally I think this is quite disrespectful of shareholders natural frustratability at hearing nothing from the company having made a promise to make such an announcement. Pretty poor communications I think, but nothing new there. Still the AGM is coming around again soon, so I guess that is what "imminent" means.
AKP Price at posting:
$15.40 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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