NEW YORK, June 28, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) ranked Siemens the 10th largest recipient of patents in the United States in 2004, making it one of the highest ranking diversified companies on the list. Siemens was granted 1,477 patents in the U.S. in 2004. Siemens holds more than 9,500 total patents in the U.S. and 45,000 globally.
In the U.S., Siemens dedicates $800 million and nearly 7,000 employees to Research & Development, focusing on Medical, Transportation, Power, Automation, Water technologies, Communications and Lighting.
"Intellectual Property is a key component of Siemens' business strategy -- helping the company sustain its position as an innovation leader," said George Nolen, president and CEO of Siemens in the U.S. "Siemens is one of the largest infrastructure providers in the world. Our public and private sector customers depend on Siemens to bring them the most sophisticated and meaningful technologies. From medical imaging modalities and alternative energy technologies to automotive electronics and water filtering systems, Siemens' innovations dramatically improve the way we live and work."
Globally, Siemens generates 37 new inventions every business day and derives 75% of sales from products and services developed in the last five years. Among the inventions that have intellectual property protection over the past few years are:
-- Siemens's new Acuris hearing-aid system helps solve the problem many hearing-impaired people face when wearing two hearing aides unable to work in sync. Siemens binaural hearing aids communicate with each other with electromagnetic wireless technology so that they can agree on ambient sound environments.
-- Siemens Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems create sensors imbedded in walls and carpets that constantly monitor the environment and decide what needs to be done -- intelligently reacting to changes in airflow and air quality.
-- Siemens VDO Automotive TireIQ warns drivers when tires have low air pressure or are wearing out.
-- Siemens high voltage systems increase capacity on existing power lines, helping reduce the risk of summer blackouts without the need for building new power lines.
The company will continue to create shareholder value by setting the pace for innovation for customers, increasing its strong intellectual property position and leveraging its global reach to influence regional standards and markets.
Siemens AG (www.usa.siemens.com) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $91.5 billion in fiscal 2004. Founded more than 155 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens has sales of $16.6 billion in the United States and employs 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Thirteen of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 440,000 people in 190 countries.
USFilter Corp. (www.usfilter.com), a Siemens company, delivers cost-effective, reliable water and wastewater treatment systems and services to municipal, industrial, commercial and institutional customers worldwide. USFilter is part of Siemens' Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S), which provides innovative solutions and services designed to improve competitiveness in processing and manufacturing industries and in infrastructure. In fiscal 2004, I&S employed a total of 30,000 people worldwide and achieved total sales of 4.290 billion euros [US$5.17 billion].
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