Nintendo and Microsoft in Suit Over Controller Patents

Via Kotaku, an article at the Inquirer discussing a patent suit brought against Microsoft and Nintendo over controller technologies. Anascape Ltd, a Texas firm, claims the two companies have infringed on over a dozen of its held patents. From the article: "Anascape alleges 6,222,525 'Image Controller with Sheet Connected Sensors' was also breached, as well as 6,343, 991 'Game Control with Analog Pressure Sensor' and 6,344,791 'Variable Sensor with Tactile Feedback'. As well as 6,347,997 'Analog Controls Housed with Electronic Displays', 6,351,205 'Variable Conductance Sensor' (a different one) and 6,400, 303 'Remote Controller with Analog Pressure Sensor' (a different one)."

Patent trolls?

[govtpiggy]

So these guys have apparently patented the idea of an analog button doing anything on a display. Smells like patent trolls to me. I just want to know why these seemingly obvious patents keep getting given out.

United States Patent 6,347,997:

Devices for controlling imagery shown by a display, and including an analog sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to the analog sensor. In one preferred embodiment the analog sensor(s) includes a resilient dome cap for providing tactile feedback to the finger depressing the analog sensor. Circuitry within a housing is connected to the analog sensor for reading the varying analog value from the analog sensor and causing representative varying the imagery shown by the display. The devices can be individually structured as electronic game controllers/systems, telephones, pagers, electronic books, web browsers, global positioning receivers, ovens, coffee makers and personal digital assistants (PDA) to name a few.

Re:Prior Art?

[Raistlin77]

So why not sue Sony as well - the PS2 came out in 2000 with the new controllers that had analog joysticks...

broad patents

[foxhound01]

these patents don't seem all that specific, 'Analog Controls Housed with Electronic Displays' implies that putting a screen of any type, or an LED for that matter would be a breach of patent, i somehow think that this won't fly in court, especially with the kind of attorneys that microsoft and nintendo can afford. as for the other patents, i don't see much more substantial stuff there either.

THey have their own patents...

[madhatter256]

Nintendo clearly states the patent number their devices use. I am not sure about MS though. If these patents by the plaintiff were filed in 1999, but if Nintendo has patents on their analog joysticks then this case will be thrown out the window like the million other patent suits brought up against them. I need to hurry up and patent my invention called "Life" and then sue the whole world for patent infringement.

what about Sony?

[thoughtlover]

My PS2 controller has analog pressure-sensitive buttons. Why were they excluded from the lawsuit?

What about any third-party that makes controllers using said technology?

God I hate the patent system.

[Anonymous Coward]

6,208,271 "Remote Controller with Analog Button".

Make a controller with an analog button: No problem.
Make a controller which is wireless: No problem.

Make a controller which is wireless AND has an analog button: PATENT VIOLATION, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT!

The patent office's decision to spend very little money on approving each patent is costing industry and innocent bystanders gobs and gobs of money in unnecessary court fees. Will this ever stop?

Re:Business Plan

[soft_guy]

Microsoft hardly dominates the video game business. Out of the last generation consoles, they were only one to consistantly lose money.

Anascape Ltd. ??

[Chaffar]

What kind of company that has patents on GAME CONTROLLERS doesn't even have its own website [google.com]??

Misleading title

[Chris Pimlott]

The article title makes it sound like Nintendo and Microsoft are suing each other, instead of both being sued by a third party. How about something like "Company sues Nintendo, Microsoft over Controller Patent"?

Re:Patent trolls?

[shimage]

So you're telling me that only companies big enough to sell things should be allowed to patent something? A guy can't just come up with a good idea and sell it to someone anymore? I think requiring intent to manufacture something results in a chicken and egg problem for "little people". Not that I don't think there is a serious problem with the USPTO; I just don't think that's the solution.

Re:Nintendo's Console Strategy Falling Apart?

[Perseid]

Yeah. Not only is this an AC troll, it's off-topic. But here I go.

Launch titles. Launch titles. They suck. Get used to it. You can't rightfully judge the quality of any system for at least a year after it's been out and this has been true for generations now.