Sony Ordered to Halt PlayStation Sales

[BJ_M]

Mar 28, 2005 — NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sony Corp. said on Monday it was ordered by a U.S. court to halt sales of its blockbuster PlayStation consoles in the United States and pay $90 million in damages to a California tech company, Immersion Corp. <IMMR.O>, whose shares jumped more then 5 percent.

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), Sony's gaming unit, said it would appeal the decision by a California federal court in the patent infringement case.

For the time being, Sony will keep selling PlayStations as the order — which covers the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, two game controllers and 47 software titles — will not go into effect before the appeal, an SCE spokeswoman said. Sony will be paying compulsory license fees to Immersion, she added.

Games have been Sony's profit driver in recent years, accounting for 44 percent of the company's group operating profit from October to December, as it struggles with price declines at its electronics division.

Sony in January cut its operating profit estimate for this business year 31 percent, citing sharply falling prices of televisions, DVD recorders and other key products and weak demand for chips.

Immersion, a small, California-based developer of digital touch technologies, claimed Sony Computer Entertainment infringed on its technology that makes a game controller vibrate in sync with actions in games, the Japanese game maker said.

The $90 million awarded by the court is more than triple Immersion's total revenues of $23.8 million in 2004 and represents two-thirds of the company's current market value of around $135 million.

The court's decision confirmed a ruling by a California jury last year that ordered Sony to pay $82 million in the case. The amount was raised to slightly more than $90 million due to interest.

Immersion's stock rose 36 percent to $7.85 on the Inet electronic exchange, from its $5.75 close on Thursday.

Shares in Sony closed down 0.23 percent, underperforming the Tokyo stock market's electric machinery index <.IELEC.T>, which rose 0.32 percent.

[canadateck]

WOW. Maybe then can just Buy that company.LOL

[Sabro]

Everyone else is buying out each other, why not them?

Anyone know when the suit was actually filed? Since the vib controllers have been around since the post PS1 days, I'm just wondering if it took that long for the suit to actually get to court or if they waited for the PS1/PS2 sales to peak and for Sony to post their earnings before they filed suit.

Sabro

[BJ_M]

the suit was filed several years ago (5 or 6?) .. won last year and re-affirmed this year again ..

[ViRaL1]

IIRC XBOX controllers do the same thing.

[BJ_M]

IIRC XBOX controllers do the same thing.

they paid the royalty ...

[MOVIEGEEK]

WOW. Maybe then can just Buy that company.LOL

That's not a bad idea..or buy 51% of the shares and tell the CEO's to take a hike.

[BJ_M]

they would be happy and very rich if sony bought even 51%

[ViRaL1]

Or they could buy them out like Bill bought out Homer.

Force feedback has been around quite a while. They invented it?

[BJ_M]

doesnt mater who invented it - they have the patent ..


the technology came from military applications

[lumis]

sony had to know they were screwing over a little company, but i guess they were trying to scare them with their lawyer muscle.. would have been smarter to throw a couple mil their way and buy the patent. then they could be charging microsoft :P

[handyguy]

I wonder why it took them so long? I got a ps2 with dual shock around '99....

[BJ_M]

I wonder why it took them so long? I got a ps2 with dual shock around '99....

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1264230#1264230

[adam]

Patent suits take a long time, and 5-6 years for a big suit like this is pretty typical anyway. Don't expect this to actually halt Playstation's sales though. It could make the price increase some, but I doubt it. But one thing you can be sure of, the royalty payments that this company charges Sony now will be much higher than what they would have been paying had they licensed it up front.

Also I highly doubt that Sony just thought they could pull one over on this company by not paying royalties. Its more likely they independantly came up with their own technology for this and weren't aware that it infringed on these patents. Its quite easy to do this.

[Poppa_Meth]

yep, especially considering Sony's tech would have originated in Japan. Makes it even less likely that they knowingly infringed on the tech of a small time american company.

[BJ_M]

that is what patent searchs are for --

[handyguy]

I did those at my library at UCSD. Has a Patent Library. Patents for all sorts of stuff you shouldn't have there too.

[BJ_M]

anyone can search the US patent office ... online and free


but a patent lawyer/company will do a better job of it usually ..

[mcorpse]

Blegh. Patents of this sort are pure bullshit.

[adam]

Looking up existing patents on the patent office's website is not a patent search. That of course is the first step in a patent search, but its a bit like looking for a horse in a haystack; if it were there you'd already know about it through your research in developing that technology.

A patent search involves looking for all prior art that could render your patent invalid. You have to search through all scientific publications. That means articles, books, press releases, conference notes, etc... It would be impossible for a layman to do a real patent search. Few patent lawyers are even qualified to do anything but a simple one because they just don't have the resources. You have got to go through a patent search company and a good search can easily cost upwards of $100,000.

mcorpse, why do you say this is bs? I haven't read their claims but it sounds like perfectly valid and important technology to me.

[BJ_M]

they certainly have a lot of patents in this area - not just one or two .. sony would have for sure found out about them or used them....

Worldwide Patents as of December 31, 2004*

U.S. Patent No. 	Issue Date
(DD/MM/YY) 	Title
1. 	4,823,634 	04/25/89 	Multifunction Tactile Manipulatable Control
2. 	4,896,554 	01/30/90 	Multifunction Tactile Manipulatable Control
3. 	5,184,319 	02/02/93 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
4. 	5,185,561 	02/09/93 	Torque Motor as a Tactile Feedback Device in a Computer System
5. 	5,220,260 	06/15/93 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
6. 	5,235,868 	08/17/93 	Mechanism for Generating Control Signals
7. 	5,389,865 	02/14/95 	Method and System for Providing a Tactile Virtual Manipulator Defining an Interface Device Therefor
8. 	5,414,337 	05/09/95 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
9. 	5,438,529 	08/01/95 	Percussion Input Device for Personal Computer Systems
10. 	5,459,382
B1 5,459,382* 	10/17/95
06/09/98* 	Method and System for Providing a Tactile Virtual Reality and Manipulator Defining an Interface Device Therefor
*Re-Examined
11. 	5,482,056 	01/09/96 	Determination of Thumb Position Using Measurements of Abduction and Rotation
12. 	5,513,100 	04/30/96 	Velocity Controller with Force Feedback Stiffness Control
13. 	5,559,412 	09/24/96 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
14. 	5,576,727 	11/19/96 	Electromechanical Human-Computer Interface With Force Feedback
15. 	5,589,854 	12/31/96 	Touching Feedback Device
16. 	5,592,401 	01/07/97 	Accurate, Rapid, Reliable Position Sensing Using Multiple Sensing Technologies
17. 	D377,932 	02/11/97 	Mechanical Digitizing Arm Used to Input Three Dimensional Data Into a Computer
18. 	5,623,582 	04/22/97 	Computer Interface or Control Input Device for Laparoscopic Surgical Instrument and Other Elongated Mechanical Objects
19. 	5,629,594 	05/13/97 	Force Feedback System
20. 	5,631,861 	05/20/97 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
21. 	5,666,138 	09/09/97 	Interface Control
22. 	5,676,157 	10/14/97 	Determination of Kinematically Constrained Multi-Articulated Structures
23. 	5,691,898 	11/25/97 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals With Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
24. 	5,701,140 	12/23/97 	Method and Apparatus for Providing a Cursor Control Interface With Force Feedback
25. 	5,721,566 	02/24/98 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Damping Force Feedback
26. 	5,724,264 	03/03/98 	Method and Apparatus for Tracking the Position and Orientation of a Stylus and for Digitizing a 3-D Object
27. 	5,731,804 	03/24/98 	Method and Apparatus for Providing High Bandwidth, Low Noise Mechanical I/O for Computer Systems
28. 	5,734,373 	03/31/98 	Method and Apparatus for Controlling Force Feedback Interface Systems Utilizing a Host Computer
29. 	5,739,811 	04/14/98 	Method and Apparatus for Controlling Human Interface Systems Providing Force Feedback
30. 	5,754,023 	05/19/98 	Gyro-stabilized Platforms for Force Feedback Applications
31. 	5,767,839 	06/16/98 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Passive Human-Computer Interface Systems
32. 	5,769,640 	06/23/98 	Method and System for Simulating Medical Procedures Including Virtual Reality and Control Method and System for Use Therein
33. 	5,790,108 	08/04/98 	Controller
34. 	5,805,140 	09/08/98 	High Bandwidth Force Feedback Interface Using Voice Coils and Flexures
35. 	5,821,920 	10/13/98 	Control Input Device for Interfacing an Elongated Flexible Object With a Computer System
36. 	5,825,308 	10/20/98 	Force Feedback Interface Having Isotonic and Isometric Functionality
37. 	5,828,197 	10/27/98 	Mechanical Interface Having Multiple Grounded Actuators
38. 	5,831,408 	11/03/98 	Force Feedback System
39. 	5,844,392 	12/01/98 	Haptic Browsing
40. 	5,857,986 	01/12/99 	Interactive Vibrator for Multimedia
41. 	5,872,438 	02/16/99 	Whole-Body Kinesthetic Display
42. 	5,880,714 	03/09/99 	Three-Dimensional Cursor Control Interface With Force Feedback
43. 	5,889,670 	03/30/99 	Method and Apparatus for Tactilely Responsive User Interface
44. 	5,889,672 	03/30/99 	Tactilely Responsive User Interface Device and Method Therefor
45. 	5,907,487 	05/25/99 	Force Feedback Device With Safety Feature
46. 	5,929,607 	07/27/99 	Low Cost Force Feedback Interface With Efficient Power Sourcing
47. 	5,930,741 	07/27/99 	Accurate, Rapid, Reliable Position Sensing Using Multiple Sensing Technologies
48. 	5,929,846 	07/27/99 	Force Feedback Interface Device Including Grounded Sensor System
49. 	5,956,484 	09/21/99 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Force Feedback Over a Computer Network
50. 	5,959,613 	09/28/99 	Method and Apparatus for Shaping Force Signals for a Force Feedback Device
51. 	5,999,168 	12/07/99 	Haptic Accelerator for Force Feedback Computer Peripherals
52. 	6,015,473 	01/18/00 	Method for Producing a Precision 3-D Measuring Apparatus
53. 	6,020,875 	02/01/00 	High Fidelity Mechanical Transmission System and Interface Device
54. 	6,020,876 	02/01/00 	Force Feedback Interface With Selective Disturbance Filter
55. 	6,020,967 	02/01/00 	Differential Displacement Optical Sensor
56. 	6,024,576 	02/15/00 	Hemispherical, High Bandwidth Mechanical Interface for Computer Systems
57. 	6,028,593 	02/22/00 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Simulated Physical Interactions Within Computer Generated Environments
58. 	6,037,927 	03/14/00 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Force Feedback to the User of an Interactive Computer Simulation
59. 	6,042,555 	03/28/00 	Force-Feedback Interface Device for the Hand
60. 	6,046,727 	04/04/00 	Three Dimensional Position Sensing Interface With Force Output
61. 	6,050,718 	04/18/00 	Method and Apparatus for Providing High Bandwidth Force Feedback With Improved Actuator Feel
62. 	6,050,962 	04/18/00 	Goniometer-Based Body-Tracking Device and Method
63. 	6,057,828 	05/02/00 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Force Sensations in Virtual Environments in Accordance With Host Software
64. 	6,059,506 	05/09/00 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
65. 	6,061,004 	05/09/00 	Providing Force Feedback Using An Interface Device Including An Indexing Function
66. 	6,067,077 	05/23/00 	Position Sensing for Force Feedback Devices
67. 	6,078,308 	06/20/00 	Graphical Click Surfaces for Force Feedback Applications to Provide User Selection Using Cursor Interaction with a Trigger Position Within a Boundary of a Graphical Object
68. 	6,078,876 	06/20/00 	Method and Apparatus for Tracking the Position and Orientation of a Stylus and for Digitizing a 3-D Object
69. 	D427635 	07/04/00 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Medical Procedure Simulation Systems
70. 	6,088,017 	07/11/00 	Tactile feedback man-machine interface device
71. 	6,088,019 	07/11/00 	Low Cost Force Feedback Device With Actuator for Non-Primary Axis
72. 	6,100,874 	08/08/00 	Force Feedback Mouse Interface
73. 	6,101,530 	08/08/00 	Force Feedback Provided Over a Computer Network
74. 	6,104,158 	08/15/00 	Force Feedback System
75. 	6,104,379 	08/15/00 	Forearm-Supported Exoskeletal Hand-Tracking Device
76. 	6,104,382 	08/15/00 	Force Feedback Transmission Mechanisms
77. 	6,106,301 	08/22/00 	Interventional Radiology Interface Apparatus and Method
78. 	6,110,130 	08/29/00 	Exoskeleton Device for Directly Measuring Fingertip Position and Inferring Finger Joint Angle
79. 	6,125,337 	09/26/00 	Probe Apparatus and Method for Tracking the Position and Orientation of a Stylus and Controlling a Cursor
80. 	6,125,385 	09/26/00 	Force Feedback Implementation in Web Pages
81. 	6,128,006 	10/03/00 	Force Feedback Mouse Wheel and Other Control Wheels
82. 	6,131,097 	10/10/00 	Haptic Authoring
83. 	6,134,506 	10/17/00 	Method and Apparatus for Tracking the Position and Orientation of a Stylus and for Digitizing a 3-D Object
84. 	6,147,674 	11/14/00 	Method and Apparatus for Designing Force Sensations in Force Feedback Computer Applications
85. 	6,148,280 	11/14/00 	Accurate, Rapid, Reliable Position Sensing Using Multiple Sensing Technologies
86. 	6,154,198 	11/28/00 	Force Feedback Interface Apparatus Including Backlash and for Generating Feel Sensations
87. 	6,154,201 	11/28/00 	Control Knob With Multiple Degrees of Freedom and Force Feedback
88. 	6,161,126 	12/12/00 	Implementing Force Feedback Over the World Wide Web and Other Computer Networks
89. 	6,162,190 	12/19/00 	Determination of Kinematically Constrained Multi-Articulated Structures
90. 	6,166,723 	12/26/00 	Mouse Interface Device Providing Force Feedback
91. 	6,169,540 	01/02/01 	Method and Apparatus for Designing Force Sensations in Force Feedback Applications
92. 	6,184,868 	02/06/01 	Haptic Feedback Control Devices
93. 	6,191,774  	02/20/01 	Mouse Interface for Providing Force Feedback
94. 	6,195,592  	02/27/01 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations Using an Interface Device
95. 	6,195,618 	02/27/01 	Component Position Verification Using a Probe Apparatus
96. 	6,201,533 	03/13/01 	Method and Apparatus for Applying Force Feedback Devices Using Friction
97. 	6,211,861 	04/03/01 	Tactile Mouse Device
98. 	6,215,470 	04/10/01 	User Interface Device Including Braking Mechanism for Interfacing with Computer Simulations
99. 	6,219,032 	04/17/01 	Method for Providing Force Feedback to a User of an Interface Device Based on Interactions of a Controlled Cursor with Graphical Elements in a Graphical User Interface
100. 	6,219,033 	04/17/01 	Method and Apparatus for Controlling Force Feedback Interface Systems Utilizing a Host Computer
101. 	6,232,891 	05/15/01 	Force Feedback Interface Device Having Isometric Functionality
102. 	6,243,078 	06/05/01 	Pointing Device with Force Feedback Button
103. 	6,246,390 	06/12/01 	Multiple Degree-of-Freedom Mechanical Interface to a Computer System
104. 	6,252,579 	06/26/01 	Interface Device and Method for Providing Enhanced Cursor Control with Force Feedback
105. 	6,252,583 	06/26/01 	Memory and Force Output Management for a Force Feedback System
106. 	6,256,011 	07/03/01 	Multi-Function Control Device with Force Feedback
107. 	6,259,382 	07/10/01 	Isotonic-Isometric Force Feedback Interface
108. 	6,271,828 	08/07/01 	Force Feedback Interface Devices Providing Resistance Forces Using a Fluid
109. 	6,271,833 	08/07/01 	Low Cost Force Feedback Peripheral with Button Activated Feel Sensations
110. 	6,275,213 B1 	08/14/01 	Tactile Feedback Man-Machine Interface Device
111. 	6,278,439 	08/21/01 	Method and Apparatus for Shaping Force Signals for a Force Feedback Device
112. 	6,281,651 	08/28/01 	Haptic Pointing Device
113. 	6,285,351 	09/04/01 	Designing Force Sensations for Computer Applications Including Sounds
114. 	6,288,705 	09/11/01 	Interface Device and Method for Providing Indexed Cursor Control with Force Feedback
115. 	6,292,170 	09/18/01 	Designing Compound Force Sensations for Computer Applications
116. 	5,754,023
*RE37374 	05/19/98 *09/18/01 	Gyro-Stabilized Platforms for Force Feedback Applications
*Re-Issue
117. 	6,292,174 	09/18/01 	Force Feedback with Ballistics and Rate Control Borders
118. 	6,300,936 	10/09/01 	Force Feedback System Including Multi-tasking Graphical Host Environment and Interface Device
119. 	6,300,937 	10/09/01 	Method and Apparatus for Controlling Human-computer Interface Systems Providing Force Feedback for a Computer Interface Device
120. 	6,300,938 	10/09/01 	Multi-cylinder Control Device for Computers & Other Electronic Apparatus
121. 	6,304,091 	10/16/01 	Absolute Position Sensing by Phase Shift Detection Using a Variable Capacitor
122. 	6,310,605 	10/30/01 	Force Feedback Interface with Selective Disturbance Filter
123. 	6,317,116 	11/13/01 	Graphical Click Surfaces for Force Feedback Applications to Provide Selection of Functions Using Cursor Interaction With a Trigger Position of a Graphical Object
124. 	6,323,837 	11/27/01 	Method and Apparatus for Interfacing an Elongated Object With a Computer System.
125. 	6,342,880 	01/29/02 	Force Feedback System Including Multiple Force Processors.
126. 	6,343,349 	01/29/02 	Memory Caching for Force Feedback Effects.
127. 	6,348,911 	02/19/02 	Force Feedback Device Including Safety Switch and Force Magnitude Ramping
128. 	6,353,850 	03/05/02 	Force Feedback Provided in Web Pages.
129. 	6,353,427 	03/05/02 	Low Cost Force Feedback Device With Actuator for Non-primary Axis.
130. 	6,366,272 	04/02/02 	Providing Interactions Between Simulated Objects Using Force Feedback
131. 	6,366,273 	04/02/02 	Force Feedback Cursor Control Interface
132. 	6,374,255 	04/16/02 	Haptic Authoring
133. 	6,380,925 	04/30/02 	Force Feedback Device With Spring Selection Mechanism
134. 	6,391,109 	05/21/02 	Method of Making SiC Single Crystal and Apparatus for Making SiC Single Crystal
135. 	6,396,232 	05/28/02 	Haptic Pointing Devices
136. 	6,400,352 	06/04/02 	Mechanical and Force Transmission for Force Feedback Devices
137. 	6,408,253 	06/18/02 	Component Position Verification Using a Position Tracking Device
138. 	6,411,276 	06/25/02 	Hybrid Control of Haptic Feedback for Host Computer and Interface Device
139. 	6,413,229 	07/02/02 	Force-Feedback Interface Device For the Hand
140. 	6,424,333 	07/23/02 	Tactile Feedback Man-machine Interface Device
141. 	6,424,356 	07/23/02 	Command of Force Sensations in a Forceback System Using Force Effect Suites
142. 	6,429,846 	08/06/02 	Haptic Feedback for Touchpads and Other Touch Controls
143. 	6,428,490 	08/06/02 	Goniometer-Based Body-Tracking Device and Method
144. 	6,433,771 	08/13/02 	Haptic Device Attribute Control
145. 	6,437,771 	08/20/02 	Force Feedback Device Including Flexure Member Between Actuator and User Object
146. 	6,445,284 	09/03/02 	Electro-mechanical Transducer Suitable for Tactile Display and Article Conveyance
147. 	6,448,977 	09/10/02 	Textures and Other Spatial Sensations For a Relative Haptic Interface Device
148. 	6,469,692 	10/22/02 	Interface Device With Tactile Feedback Button
149. 	6,470,302 	10/22/02 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Vascular Access Simulation Systems
150. 	6,486,872 	11/26/02 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Passive Fluid Force Feedback
151. 	6,497,672 	12/24/02 	Device and Method for Measuring the Position of Animate Links
152. 	6,563,487 	05/13/03 	Haptic Feedback for Directional Control Pads
153. 	6,564,168 	05/13/03 	High-resolution Optical Encoder with Phased-array Photodetectors
154. 	6,580,417 	06/17/03 	Tactile Feedback Device Providing Tactile Sensations from Host Commands
155. 	6,636,161 	10/21/03 	Isometric Haptic Feedback Interface
156. 	6,636,197 	10/21/03 	Haptic Feedback Effects for Control, Knobs and Other Interface Devices
157. 	6,639,581 	10/28/03 	Flexure Mechanism for Interface Device
158. 	6,654,000 	11/25/03 	Physically Realistic Computer Simulation of Medical Procedures
159. 	6,661,403 	12/09/03 	Method and Apparatus for Streaming Force Values to a Force Feedback Device
160. 	6,680,729 	01/20/04 	Increasing Force Transmissibility for Tactile Feedback Interface Devices
161. 	6,683,437 	01/27/04 	Current Controlled Motor Amplifier System
162. 	6,686,901 	02/03/04 	Enhancing Inertial Tactile Feedback In Computer Interface Devices Having Increased Mass
163. 	6,686,911 	02/03/04 	Control Knob with Control Modes and Force Feedback
164. 	6,693,622 	02/17/04 	Vibrotactile Haptic Feedback Devices
165. 	6,693,626 	02/17/04 	Haptic Feedback Using a Keyboard Device
166. 	6,697,043 	02/24/04 	Haptic Interface Device and Actuator Assembly Providing Linear Haptic Sensations
167. 	6,697,044 	02/24/04 	Haptic Feedback Device with Button Forces
168. 	6,697,048 	02/24/04 	Computer Interface Apparatus Including Linkage Having Flex
169. 	6,697,748 	02/24/04 	Digitizing System and Rotary Table for Determining 3-D Geometry of an Object
170. 	6,697,086 	02/24/04 	Designing Force Sensations for Force Feedback Computer Applications
171. 	6,703,550 	03/09/04 	Sound Data Output and Manipulation Using Haptic Feedback
172. 	6,704,001 	03/09/04 	Force Feedback Device Including Actuator with Moving Magnet
173. 	6,704,002 	03/09/04 	Position Sensing Methods for Interface Devices
174. 	6,704,683 	03/09/04 	Direct Velocity Estimation for Encoders Using Nonlinear Period Measurement
175. 	6,705,871 	03/16/04 	Method and Apparatus for Providing an Interface Mechanism for a Computer Simulation
176. 	6,707,443
	03/16/04 	Haptic Trackball Device
177. 	6,715,045 	03/30/04 	Host Cache for Haptic Feedback Effects
178. 	6,717,573 	04/06/04 	Low-cost Haptic Mouse Implementations
179. 	6,750,877 	06/15/04 	Controlling Haptic Feedback for Enhancing Navigation in a Graphical Environment
180. 	6,762,745 	07/13/04 	Actuator Control Providing Linear and Continuous Force Output
181. 	6,781,569 	08/24/04 	Hand Controller
182. 	6,801,008 	10/05/04 	Force Feedback System and Actuator Power Management
183. 	6,816,148 	11/09/04 	Enhanced Cursor Control Using Interface Devices
184. 	6,817,973 	11/16/04 	Apparatus for Controlling Force for Manipulation of Medical Instruments
185. 	6,822,635 	11/23/04 	Haptic Interface for Laptop Computers and Other Portable Devices
186. 	6,833,846 	12/21/04 	Control Methods For The Reduction of Limit Cycle Oscillations for Haptic Devices With Displacement Quantization

 
International Patent No. 	Issue Date
(DD/MM/YY) 	Title
187. 	649 655
(Australia) 	09/20/94 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
188. 	2,205,361
(Canada) 	11/22/95 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Mechanical I/O for Computer Systems Interfaced With Elongated Flexible Objects
189. 	2,122,047
(Canada) 	04/09/96 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
190. 	670 311
(Australia) 	10/29/96 	Determination of Kinematically Constrained Multi-Articulated Structures
191. 	671 705
(Australia) 	12/24/96 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
192. 	2,167,304
(Canada) 	04/21/98 	Force Feedback Cursor Control Interface
193. 	252 706
(Korea) 	01/20/00 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
194. 	852 770
(Albania) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
195. 	852 770
(Europe) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
196. 	852 770
(France) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
197. 	69 607 189
(Germany) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
198. 	852 770
(Italy) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
199. 	852 770
(Switzerland) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
200. 	852 770
(United Kingdom) 	03/15/00 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
201. 	609 363
(Albania) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
202. 	609 363
(Austria) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
203. 	609 363
(Belgium) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
204. 	609 363
(Bulgaria) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
205. 	609 363
(Cyprus, Turkish Republic of) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
206. 	609 363
(Czech Republic) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
207. 	609 363
(Denmark) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
208. 	609 363
(Estonia) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
209. 	609 363
(Finland) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
210. 	609 363
(France) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
211. 	609 363
(Germany, Federal Republic of) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
212. 	609 363
(Greece) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
213. 	609 363
(Ireland) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
214. 	609 363
(Italy) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
215. 	609 363
(Liechtenstein) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
216. 	609 363
(Lithuania) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
217. 	609 363
(Luxembourg) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
218. 	609 363
(Latria) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
219. 	609 363
(Monaco) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
220. 	609 363
(Macedonia) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
221. 	609 363
(Netherlands) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
222. 	609 363
(North Cyprus,
Turkish Republic of) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
223. 	609 363
(Portugal) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
224. 	609 363
(Romania) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
225. 	609 363
(Spain) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
226. 	609 363
(Sweden) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
227. 	609 363
(Slovakia) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
228. 	609 363
(Slovenia) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
229. 	609 363
(Switzerland) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
230. 	609 363
(Turkey) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
231. 	609 363
(United Kingdom) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
232. 	P69 231 634.5
(Germany) 	01/10/01 	Actuator Having Electronically Controllable Tactile Responsiveness
233. 	2,233,206
(Canada) 	04/03/01 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals with Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
234. 	2,210,725
(Canada) 	05/08/01 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Passive Force Feedback to Human-Computer Interface Systems
235. 	2,075,178
(Canada) 	07/24/01 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
236. 	734 986
(Australia) 	10/11/01 	Force Feedback Interface having Isotonic and Isometric Functionality
237 	735 467
(Australia) 	10/25/01 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Force Feedback Over a Computer Network
238. 	2,272,379
(Canada) 	12/11/01 	Mechanical Interface Having Multiple Grounded Actuators
239. 	3 290 436
(Japan) 	03/22/02 	Force Feedback and Textures Simulating Interface Device
240. 	3 086 718
(Japan) 	04/03/02 	Knob User Interface
241. 	3 086 719
(Japan) 	04/03/02 	Rotary Actuator
242. 	2,261,893
(Canada) 	04/16/02 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Force Feedback Over a Commuter Network
243. 	2,237,977
(Canada) 	05/26/02 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Low Cost Force Feedback and Mechanical I/O for Computer Systems
244. 	2 343 4990
(United Kingdom) 	06/12/02 	Low Cost Force Feedback Devices
245. 	2,287,349
(Canada) 	06/25/02 	Method and Apparatus for Designing and Controlling Force Sensations in Force Feedback Computer Applications
246. 	GB2 348 352
(United Kingdom) 	07/31/02 	Method of Controlling of a Force Feedback Device in a Multi-tasking Graphical Host Environment
247. 	2,291,226
(Canada) 	10/22/02 	Force Feedback Control Wheels and Knobs
248. 	1 315 182
(Italy) 	02/03/03 	Designing Force Sensations for Computer Applications Including Sound
249. 	2,223,289
(Canada) 	03/25/03 	Method and Apparatus for Providing Passive Fluid Force Feedback
250. 	519 661
(Sweden) 	03/25/03 	Mouse Device with Tactile Feedback Applied to Housing
251. 	974 889
(Europe) 	03/26/03 	Safe and Low Cost Computer Peripherals With Force Feedback for Consumer Applications
252. 	2 344 9730
(United Kingdom) 	04/09/03 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Medical Procedure Simulation System
253. 	2 346 455B
(United Kingdom) 	05/07/03 	Designing Force Sensations for Computer Applications Including Sound
254. 	2 347 9900
(United Kingdom) 	05/14/03 	Force Feedback Device Including Actuator with Moving Magnet
255. 	2 349 7310
(United Kingdom) 	06/04/03 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Vascular Access Simulation Systems
256. 	2 346 9520
(United Kingdom) 	08/06/03 	Force Feedback Mouse Button
257. 	2,271,129
(Canada) 	08/12/03 	Method and Apparatus for Shaping Force Signals for a Force Feedback Device
258. 	GB2 381 933
(United Kingdom) 	08/13/03 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Vascular Access Simulation Systems
259. 	2 384 6130
(United Kingdom) 	09/17/03 	Interface Device and Method for Interfacing Instruments to Medical Procedure Simulation
260. 	762 226
(Australian) 	10/02/03 	Force Feedback Control Wheels and Knobs
261. 	2 350 698B
(United Kingdom) 	11/12/03 	Actual Control
262. 	2 387 241B
(United Kingdom) 	11/19/03 	Actual Control
263. 	843 808
(Europe) 	12/17/03 	Method for Zeroing Transducers of a Probe Apparatus of a 3D Coordinate Measuring System
264. 	GB2 350 170
(United Kingdom) 	12/31/03 	Force Feedback Joystick Device Including Single-Phase, Fixed-Coil Actuators
265. 	GB2 387 218
(United Kingdom) 	01/08/04 	Force Feedback Joystick Device Including Single-Phase, Fixed-Coil Actuators
266. 	803 114
(Europe) 	02/04/04 	Apparatus for Providing Mechanical Input/Output for Computer Systems Interfaced With Elongated Flexible Objects
267. 	870 296
(Europe) 	02/04/04 	Apparatus for Providing Low Cost Force Feedback and Mechanical Input/Output for Computer Systems
268. 	770 385
(Australia) 	02/19/04 	Implementation Force Feedback Over the World Wide Web and Other Computer Networks
269. 	804 786
(Europe) 	03/31/04 	Method and Apparatus for Providing High Bandwidth, Low Noise Mechanical Input/Output for Computer Systems
270. 	GB2 353 116
(United Kingdom) 	03/31/04 	Memory and Force Output Management for a Force Feedback
271. 	2,139,336
(Canada) 	06/01/04 	Determination Of Kinematically Constrained Multi-Articulated Structures
272. 	00/01312
(France) 	07/30/04 	Designing Force Sensations for Computer Applications Including Sounds
273. 	2,278,726
(Canada) 	08/31/04 	Method and Apparatus for Providing High Bandwidth, Realistic Force Feedback Including an Improved Actuator
274. 	1 036 390
(Europe) 	11/03/04 	Method of Controlling of a Force Feedback Device in a Multi-tasking Graphical Host Environment

*The preceding list does not reflect any changes to our patent portfolio that may have occurred since December 31, 2004. The list includes issued patents only and is not an exhaustive list of all of our patents or other intellectual property.