COEUR d'ALENE - Three local technology companies were honored at this year's Idaho Technology Council "Hall of Fame Celebration."

Steve Meyer, CEO of Parkwood Business Properties and nearly a dozen technology companies, was inducted to the ITC Hall of Fame during the ceremony.

Bay Shore Systems of Rathdrum, Rohinni of Coeur d'Alene and Ednetics of Post Falls all made the final cut in their respective categories, and while Ednetics was runner-up for the "Innovative Company of the Year" award, the other two took top honors in their respective categories.

Bay Shore Systems won top honors in the "Commercialized Innovation of the Year" category, beating two other finalists in the statewide competition.

The heavy equipment manufacturing company won for its new technology called "TR Series," a hydraulic drilling system which mounts on a truck.

The ITC, which has been conducting the awards ceremony for the past five years, gets hundreds of nominations for statewide competition each year. Only three companies make the finalists lists in four separate categories.

"It was definitely the strongest year for North Idaho this year," said Jay Larsen, president and founder of the ITC.

"I am so pleased to see a lot more innovation and nominations coming from up there."

Larsen said just getting nominated to the finalist list is an accomplishment worth noting.

Rohinni tied for first place with Idaho National Labs in the "Early-Stage Innovation of the Year" category with its "Lightpaper" technology.

Nick Smoot, Chief Marketing Officer for Rohinni, said the best way to describe Lightpaper is that it is a mix of LEDs and ink. Using a proprietary process, that solution is printed on a substrate.

Its application potential is endless, Smoot said. They are thinking about printing lamp shades, so lamps wouldn't need light bulbs. The Lightpaper is activated using the same type of switch any light uses.

"Anywhere there is a light, this could replace that," Smoot said, adding eventually people will be able to print their own at home.

"You will be able to design and print you own light," he said. "Right now we are printing the light, but we are going to be putting that back in the hands of the people."

Ednetics made the finals with its advanced technology solutions for the education industry. It has employees in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.