AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INVENTING & PATENT MONETIZATION FIRM
Who Are We?
Ennova is a group of inspired professionals who invent and patent valuable Intellectual Property (IP). In addition to protecting our IP we monetize it via licensing or direct sale to Operating Companies and NPEs looking to add valuable IP to their portfolios.
Current IP
Presently, Ennova has several patents for sale and/or license. The current IP assets read on multiple market sectors, such as USB Flash Drives, MP3 Players, Bluetooth™ Headsets, Hair Dryers, and Outdoor Cooking Appliances.
In The News
Ennova’s patented inventions have received wide acclaim and recognition from many technology forums and news organizations. For the latest updates and copies of past and recent press releases visit our news database.
Ennova Direct Announces the Sale of its Consumer Electronics/Computer
Peripheral Patent Portfolio - PRWeb 4.05.2011
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif., April 5, 2011-- Ennova Direct, Inc. (DBA ION
Technologies) announced today that they're offering a patent portfolio for
salethat is focused on Retractable USB Flash Drive Devices, Retractable
Biometric USB Flash Drive Devices, MP3 Players (wired and Wireless Bluetooth™)
and Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Headsets... Read Full Story
ION Technologies Announces the Launch of the Flashlite USB Data Drive - PRWeb 5.11.2005
ION TecEnnova Direct Announces the Sale of its Consumer Electronics/Computer
Peripheral Patent Portfolio - PRWeb 4.05.2011
hnologies today announced the launch of their new flash drive called Flashlite USB Data Drive. The Flashlite USB Data Drive is a unique Patent Pending innovation which adds a much needed twist to the common USB Flash Drive…
Read Full Story
Ennova Direct Awarded Retractable Biometric USB Flash Drive Patent, US 7,462,044 - PRWeb 4.28.2009
Ennova Direct announces their new patented biometric USB flash drive with interactive OLED display and retractable USB connector…
Read Full Story
Ennova Direct Receives Notice of Allowance on Retractable USB Flash Drive Patent Application - PRWeb 6.18.2009
The USPTO has granted a Notice of Allowance to Ennova Direct for their pending US Patent Application Number 12/193,383, adding to Ennova Direct's growing USB flash drive patent portfolio. This new patent has a special mechanical …
Read Full Story
Ennova Direct Announces Independent Wireless Stereo Earbud Headset Patent-US 7,747,003 - PRWeb 2.28.2010
California, February 28, 2011 Ennova Direct, Inc. announced today the issuance of a new patent - US 7,747, 003, “Wireless headset apparatus and methods”. The patent represents a breakthrough in wireless headset technology, whereby…
Read Full Story
The Ennova Consumer Electronics & Computer Peripheral patent portfolio consists of several consumer electronics inventions spanning multiple categories, such as USB Flash Drives, MP3 Players, and Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Headsets. In total this portfolio consists of 6 issued us patents, and 2 patents pending.
Of the 6 issued US patents, the ‘210 patent has been litigated resulting in settlements with 8 operating companies. Additional patents within the portfolio have already been licensed to A-DATA Technology, Philips Electronics, PNY Technologies, Sony Corporation of America, Transcend Information, Verbatim Americas and more.
The 6 issued US patents in Ennova’s Consumer Electronics & Computer Peripheral patent portfolio are available for license and the entire portfolio is available for purchase.
View Patent | Additional Images
A flash memory device with a retractable USB connector which mitigates the hassle of cap loss associated with standard USB flash drives. A built in LED Flashlight also aids finding USB ports in dark environments and doubles as a min utility Flashlight.
Key Features
- Retractable USB Connector
- Internal Flash Memory
- LED Flashlight
- Display
- Navigation Controls
- Voice Recorder
- Speaker & Microphone
- MP3 Player
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
- Currently Licensed to:
- ADATA Technology
- Flash Ventures
- Philips Electronics
- PNY Technologies
- Nspire
- Sony Corporation of America
- Transcend Information Verbatim Americas
Market Considerations
Worldwide shipments of USB flash drives are forecasted to hit 568.98 million units by 2015. Retractable or (capless) USB flash drives will continue to be the dominate form factors as consumers prefer them over traditional caped designs.
With the continued growth forecasted in the USB flash drive market, US Patent 6,979,210 is well poised for continued licensing and/or other monetization possibilities.
View Patent | Additional Images
The patent is the likely the world’s first true wireless stereo Bluetooth MP3 player for transmitting MP3 music to wireless Bluetooth stereo earbud speakers which can be worn on any pair of sunglasses or reading glasses.
Key Features
- Retractable USB connector
- Internal Flash Memory
- Display
- Navigation Controls
- LED Flashlight
- Stereo Bluetooth Earbud Speakers
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
- Currently Licensed to:
- Philips Electronics
- Sony Corporation of America
- CIP Filed
Market Considerations
The worldwide portable MP3 player market is forecasted to reach 245 million units in 2012. One of the fastest growing segments within portable MP3 players is Stereo Bluetooth. There were 13.9 million Bluetooth headsets sold in the U.S. in 2009, of those, stereo Bluetooth headsets experienced the most growth and are forecasted to continue growing over the next five years.
US Patent 7,070,425 reads directly on both of these market trends, ensuring its viability for years to come.
View Patent | Additional Images
A flash memory device with a spring-loaded retractable USB connector
Key Features
- Display
- Internal Flash Memory
- Navigation Controls
- Voice Recorder
- Speaker & Microphone
- MP3 Player
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
- Currently Licensed to:
- Philips Electronics
- Sony Corporation of America
Market Considerations
Market demand for flash memory devices with spring-loaded retractable or flip style USB connectors are in high demand. Many makers of flash memory devices have adopted this feature as their customers prefer the ease of use when connecting directly with a pc vs. using a separate USB cable.
For example, pocket camcorders have quickly gained market share over traditional camcorders, and of the various form factor designs available in the market those utilizing spring-loaded retractable or flip style USB connectors dominate the market. US pocket camcorder shipments surged 67 percent in 2010 to 11.9 million units. Additional research indicates unit shipments could reach 17 million in 2014.
With more and more makers of flash drive devises adopting this patented feature, US Patent 7,090,515 will remain viable for the foreseeable future and possesses immense licensing and/or other monetization possibilities.
View Patent | Additional Images
A flash memory device with a retractable USB connector and automatic dual protective cover; the cover simultaneously protects the device’s OLED display, Biometric Scanner and USB connector
Key Features
- LED or OLED Display
- Mechanized Protective Cover
- Navigational Software
- Internal Flash Memory
- Embedded Biometric Fingerprint Scanner
- Navigation Controls
- Color Changing Alerts
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
Market Considerations
Increasing security concerns such as identity theft, corporate security and national security are driving the public and private sectors to rapidly adopt biometric security technologies.
The global biometric market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 22% between 2011 and 2013. North America dominates the global biometric market, accounting for 30% of the market in 2010.
In 2010 there were 48.9 million secure USB flash drives sold in the U.S. market, this number is expected to reach 156 million units by 2014.
Another factor driving this trend is the significant increase in USB flash drive memory capacities, which has now reached 256GB. With this significant increase in memory the need to secure large amounts of sensitive data is becoming increasingly more important.
With the emerging market for biometric USB flash drives, US Patent 7,462,044 is on the front of a very big wave, making it a strong asset for licensing and/or other monetization possibilities.
View Patent | Additional Images
A flash memory device having a retractable USB connector, mechanized protective USB cover and internal gears that deliver a smooth sliding action when retracting or extending the USB connector.
Key Features
- Retractable USB Connector
- Protective Sliding Cover
- Internal Gears
- Internal Flash Memory
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
Market Considerations
Worldwide shipments of USB flash drives are forecasted to hit 568.98 million units by 2015. Retractable or (capless) USB flash drives will continue to be the dominate form factors as consumers prefer them over traditional caped designs.
With the continued growth forecasted in the USB flash drive market, US Patent 7,566,231 is well poised for licensing and/or other monetization possibilities.
View Patent | Additional Images
A stereo Bluetooth earbud/ear-canal style wireless headset which can be worn directly on the ears or on any pair of sunglasses or baseball cap, etc. This patented technology provides the user with the utmost versatility in Bluetooth headset technology and with a true wire-free wireless experience, providing the user with complete freedom from wires while listening to wireless stereo MP3 music.
Key Features
- Stereo Bluetooth Earbud Headset
- Wear In-Ear
- Wear Over-The-Ear
- Wear on Any Pair of Sunglasses or Reading Glasses
- Wear on a Baseball Cap or Any Hat
- Wear via Behind-The-Neck Headset
- Pair with Mobile Phones for Calls
- Pair with Any Bluetooth Audio Device
- Dual Speaker System
- Earbuds Can Be Used Independently as a Standard Mono Bluetooth Headset for Answering or Making Mobile Phone Calls.
- Multiple Charging Options
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
Market Considerations
There were 13.9 million Bluetooth headsets sold in the U.S. in 2009, of those, stereo Bluetooth headsets experienced the most growth and are forecasted to continue growing over the next five years.
With the continued growth forecasted in the stereo Bluetooth headset market, US Patent 7,747,003 is ripe for licensing and/or other monetization possibilities.
View Patent | Additional Images
A Hair Drying and shaping Device designed to be exceptionally gentle while drying and shaping shoulder length and longer hair. This innovative patent may prove to be disruptive technology.
Key Features
- Rapid drying technology
- Lower Temperature requirements than conventional hair drying technologies.
- Lower power requirements
- Lower noise levels
- Potential for battery powered operation.
- Gentle on hair
- Built-in integrated hair conditioning cartridge
- Hair shaping attachments
- Custom Settings for Thick, Fine and Course Hair.
- Air Temperature Display.
- User selectable temperature settings
- User selectable air flow rate
Status
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
- AVAILABLE FOR LICENSE (OR) PURCHASE
Market Considerations
There are approximately 22 million hairdryers sold in the U.S. market annually.
Major innovations in the market happen only periodically, like the introduction of the ionic hair dryer in 2002, and the launch of ceramic-coated appliances in 2003. Aside from these last two innovations, the hair appliance market is long overdue for revolutionary product… and US Patent 7, 093,376 is the game changing patent that the market has been waiting for.
View Patent | Additional Images
A portable barbeque grill with a telescoping body for multi-level cooking (the preparation of different foods simultaneously), or the cooking and/or smoking of larger items such as a turkey, ham or roast. It uses either gas or charcoal to cook food and has additional features such as dual burners that can be alternated to produce deferent heating techniques, such as convection cooking, etc.
Key Features
- Unique Telescoping Body
- Multi-Level Grill System for Cooking Different Food Simultaneously
- Uses Gas or Charcoal
- Dual Burner System
- Barbeque-Grill Stand with Built-in Trolley
- Portable-Packs Up to Small Footprint
- Convection Cooking Capability
- Smokes Food
- Grills Raise/Extend Out of Body for Easy Access to Food
Status
- AVAILABLE FOR LICSENSE (OR) PURCHASE
- LARGE MARKET POTENTIAL
Market Considerations
A recent increase in at-home cooking and an on-going interest in outdoor living have helped to reinvigorate Americans enthusiasm for grilling. A recent report indicates that the U.S. is expected to experience 12.7% increase in grill sales by 2013, with grill sales increasing from $3.3 billion in 2008 to $3.7 billion in 2013.
With unsurpassed patented features, US Patent 6,543,435 is the ideal patent to meet this demand.
THE COMPANY
Ennova Direct is comprised of an inventive group of entrepreneurs and business professionals with over 50 years of combined experience in inventing, patenting, engineering and marketing consumer electronics products.
OUR HISTORY
Ennova formed in 2002 when Paul Regen, an avid inventor and a former electrical engineer for Plantronics and Peter Garrett, an avid inventor and business development professional had a shared vision of creating a company dedicated to inventing and creating new consumer products to bring to market.
Shortly after its formation, Ennova began patenting, developing, and marketing its own inventions with an emphasis on inventing new technologies for the computer peripheral market. That same year Ennova Direct cofounded its first affiliate company, Auravsion, Inc. With Auravision, Ennova launched the world’s first patented electroluminescent backlit computer keyboard, under Auravsion’s ELuminX® brand. ELuminX was an overnight success, receiving wide acclaim from both the video gaming industry and the media. Auravsion has now become a highly successful boutique brand building and licensing company, known most notably for its innovative approach to elevating the PC Gamer known as Fatal1ty into a leading global brand within the video game industry. As a founding partner, Ennova remains Auravsion’s largest shareholder.
Throughout its history Ennova has created and co-created several successful consumer brands, all within the consumer electronics market. One brand in particular, ION Technologies®, quickly gained consumer market recognition with successful products like the Flashlite™ USB Data Drive and the ION Illuminated keyboard™. ION Technologies products gained popularity through Ennova’s extensive TV Ad campaigns, which ran on networks like Discovery, Syfy, MSNBC and others. Several ION Technologies products even went onto become regular products used on the sets of popular TV shows such as 24, Without a Trace, NCIS, Chuck and others.
While brand development has played a major role in Ennova’s history, the company’s role as an innovative invention company has been its driving force. Ennova’s founders have invented and patented many notable product firsts, such as, the world’s first Bluetooth wireless stereo MP3 player and Bluetooth wireless stereo earbud headset, or the world’s first USB flash drive with an OLED Touchscreen containing an embedded biometric fingerprint reader, or the world’s first suction hair dryer, etc.
TIMELINE
THE ROAD AHEAD
Over the past seven years Ennova has had the opportunity to fine-tune its operation and perfect its core competency of inventing innovative consumer technologies.
While Ennova was in the process of self-discovery, the Intellectual Property market was also evolving. The reshaping of the IP market’s landscape has presented IP development companies with new patent monetization opportunities allowing for a totally new business models to emerge.
Adapting to this new business environment represents a progression in thinking. Ennova has met this challenge head-on and is now forging ahead with a redefined business model exclusively devoted to the creation and patenting of new technologies for license and/or sale to companies looking for valuable IP to enhance their patent portfolios.
Management
Paul Regen
CEO
Paul Regen is an electrical engineer and a prolific inventor with over 25 years of experience in electrical engineering, technology development and intellectual property development. As a prolific inventor, he holds multiple technology patents with over 33 additional patents pending; the majority of which fall within the consumer electronics market sector.
Paul’s passion for inventing and technology began many years ago and ultimately lead him to study electrical engineering at Cal Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo, California, where he received his B.S.E.E. in 1985. Upon graduating, Paul went to work for Plantronics, a leading headset maker located in Santa Cruz, California. At Plantronics Paul became a senior engineer and remained at the company for eight years, during which time he developed the world’s most successful noise reduction and noise cancelling professional grade headset, which lead to several critical patents for Plantronics.
In 1992 Paul left Plantronics and founded Concepts to Products, a Felton, California based product engineering and consulting company providing engineering and design services for companies in the Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay, such as Plantronics, Hello Direct, H-Square, Telergy, GDI Design, ProTech Communications, Light Surf and others.
In 2002, after a successful run with Concepts to Products, Paul co-found Ennova Direct, Inc., a consumer electronics product development and brand marketing company based in Scotts Valley, California. As President of Ennova, Paul has been intimately involved in creating several successful consumer electronics brands, such as EluminX and ION Technologies. Paul also co-invented, along with Peter Garret, many of Ennova’s most valuable patent assets, such as retractable USB flash drives and media players, the world’s first wireless Bluetooth MP3 Player and the world’s first Bluetooth Earbud Headset. Paul is also a co-founder and former VP Engineering for Auravision, Inc., a leading boutique brand building and licensing company headquartered in Calabasas California. While at Auravision Paul oversaw the development of EluminX, the world’s first electroluminescent backlit keyboard.
Throughout his professional career Paul has always felt the most passionate about inventing and intellectual property development.
Peter Garrett
President
Peter has over 12 years of experience in inventing, patenting, developing, and marketing consumer products. As a prolific inventor, he holds multiple technology patents with over 30 additional patents pending; the vast majority of which fall within the consumer electronics market sector.
Peter’s passion for inventing has led to many new patented innovations. Within the past three years Peter has invented and co-invented numerous patented and patent pending inventions, such as the world’s first USB flash drive with integrated touchscreen and embedded biometric scanner, as well as several new smartphone technologies, wireless headset technologies, and GPS technologies, to name just a few.
Over the span of his career, Peter has also been directly involved in creating several successful consumer electronic brands and has cofounded several consumer product development and brand marketing companies with varying business models, all of which are central to the consumer electronics industry.
In 2002, Peter co-founded Ennova Direct, Inc. Peter has held several executive level positions at Ennova, such as VP of Marketing, Executive Vice President and now President. Peter’s efforts have led to many successful ventures for Ennova, such as the launch of Ennova’s first affiliate company, Auravsion. Auravision has now become a highly successful boutique brand building and licensing company, known most notably for its innovative approach to elevating the PC Gamer known as Fatal1ty into a leading global brand within the video game industry.
During Auravsion’s incubation period he served as Auravsion’s Marketing VP, where he was instrumental in helping the company gain market recognition by introducing the world’s first backlit illuminated computer keyboard to the market, under the brand name EluminX, which he co-created.
In addition to his efforts in establishing Auravsion, Peter also co-created the ION Technologies brand of computer peripheral products. ION Technologies gained quick market recognition through the launch of the Flashlite USB Datadrive, which he also co-invented.
Throughout his professional career Peter has always felt the most passionate about inventing and intellectual property development.
Martin Allen Fox
Administrative Director
Marty’s background in management began in the U.S. Air Force, where he maintained state-of- the- art Navigation equipment on high priority jet aircraft. Afterward retiring from the armed forces, he entered the private sector to expand the management training he acquired in the Air Force.
From 1970 to 1996, Marty held executive level positions in the publishing industry. His roles have included CFO, for Environmental Quality Magazine, Co-Publisher, Marketing Coordinator, for Ritter-Geller Communications, Santa Monica, California, and later, VP/ General Manager, for Specialized Mailing Services, Inc, Santa Clara, CA.
In 1998, Marty formed Pacific Rim Media, a company focused on fostering new business opportunities between U.S. and Asian companies looking to expand their markets.
In 2003 Marty joined forces with Ennova, bringing his years of management experience, helping to establishing the company’s policies and procedures.
Tom Adams
CFO
Thomas J. Adams has over 35 years of financial experience as a consultant and Chief Financial Officer in the high-tech industry. He was Executive Vice President, CFO and co-founder of Ramtek Corporation, a $50 million publicly held company manufacturing computer graphics display systems.
At Ramtek, he supervised four public offerings and negotiated the sale of a subsidiary, Digital Productions, an early pioneer in creating computer-generated 3-D images for the advertising and film industry.
Over the year Tom has also participated in the purchase and sale of several companies in his capacity as Vice President of an investment banking firm specializing in divestitures and leveraged buyouts.
For the past 15 years Tom has been an independent financial consultant working with startups and emerging high-tech companies.
Tom began working with Ennova in 2004. As Ennova’s CFO Tom brings his years of corporate management experience to the table, helping to guide Ennova’s growth while protecting its assets.
Tom holds a BS in Accounting from Trine University in Indiana and interned as an auditor with Haskins & Sells in Detroit while in college. He later worked for Arthur Young & Co. (Ernst & Young) in San Francisco.
Erik Gundersen
Creative Director
Erik is Graphic Designer with over 10 years of design experience. Over the course of his career Erik has held several design positions with major design firms such as Tesana, in Madrid, Spain and E&I Design in Santa Clara, California.
In 2002 Erik began his career as an Entrepreneur when he ventured out on his own and founded EIGHT3ONE DESIGN, located in Santa Cruz, California. For the past 8 years Erik has successfully operated EIGHT3ONE DESIGN as a full-fledged graphic design company, providing design services such as logo design, corporate identity development, web design, retail packaging design and more. His clients have included companies such as Auravision, Hitachi, Narus and many more.
In 2002 Erik began working with Ennova as a contract designer for Ennova’s consumer product branding needs. Ennova management quickly recognized Erik’s talent and shortly thereafter Erik became an Ennova partner as well as Ennova’s Creative Director. Over the past 8 years Erik has designed and co-designed some of Ennova’s and Ennova’s Affiliates most notable consumer brand logos, such as Auravsion, EluminX, Fatal1ty, ION Technologies, and many more.
Erik graduated from the University of Colorado, at Boulder, in 1999, earning a B.A. in Photography.
Tim Clayman
Director of Business Development
Tim began his professional career 1998 with a Sales Rep position at ColoradoSkiing.com, where he ranked No.1 in sales and account retention.
In 2001, Tim returned to his hometown of Santa Cruz, California, and took an outside Account Executive position with PSS World Medical. For the past 10 years Tim has worked for PSS as a Medical Sales Specialist, ranking number one in the both Northern California and Oregon territories.
In 2006, Tim began working with Ennova as an business development consultant, helping Ennova map out and initiate its business opportunities. One of Tim’s first goals with Ennova was to land a significant retail account for the company, which he accomplished in a very short time by landing Ennova’s first major retail account with Target. Since then, Tim has assisted in many aspects of Ennova’s growth and has played a significant role in developing Ennova’s new business model. In 2011 Tim became Ennova’s fulltime BD Director. He is a tremendous asset to the Ennova team and his direction and leadership in many key business areas is invaluable.
Tim graduated from the University of Colorado, at Boulder, in 1998, earning a B.S. in Environmental Science.
Trent Tarris
Project Manager
Trent is a highly experienced business analyst, with graphic design, web development, and information technology experience. From 1997 to 2002, Trent worked as a Project Team Leader for International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), where he developed extensive experience in project management, managing full project lifecycles.
While at IBM, Trent trained teams at regional IBM offices throughout the United States, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and Mexico.
From 2002-2004 Trent worked with Ennova, as Lead Project Manager for Ennova’s online presence, managing the company’s website build outs , which included websites for Ennova’s Affiliate company, Auravision, Inc.
In 2004 Trent took on a more demanding position with Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), serving as a Business Project Manager for the company’s Credit Card Services department. While with HSBC his duties included writing business requirements and managing maintenance projects for the company’s banking/credit card websites.
In 2008 Trent regrouped with Ennova and began working as an outside business analyst, helping to reshape the company’s operational procedures.
Trent graduated in 1997, with a B.F.A. in Computer Graphics from Syracuse University.
What’s the media saying about our patented inventions?
“Forget about passe password protection. This ground breaking blend of data security and biometric technology utilizes a fingerprint via OLED to secure or recover data”
“Ennova's new ION flash drive, however, stands out from the crowd with its integrated OLED (organic light-emitting diode) touch screen”