6,135,886, "Variable Conductance Sensor with Elastomeric Dome Cap"
Variable-conductance sensor with elastomeric dome-cap
Abstract
Improved methods for using a dome-cap sensor wherein an injection molded dome-cap is combined with an analog active element which is positioned to contact conductive elements of an electronic circuit. The dome-cap is variably depressible for transferring force of varying intensity into the active element to provide variable conductivity connecting the proximal conductive elements. The electronic circuit reads the active element as being in any one of at least three or more readable states dependent upon amount of pressure applied to the active element. Relief of depressive force allows the dome-cap to return to a raised position and one which can indicate the sensor as electrically deactivated. Also disclosed is an improved analog sensing circuit including a user manipulable variable-conductance sensor, the improvement including the variable-conductance sensor being an injection molded dome-cap with an analog material and variably depressible to variably compress the material; the analog material, at least when compressed, is contacting two proximal circuit elements, wherein the degree of compression determines the degree of conductivity between the two proximal circuits.
My thoughts: This just seems to me a very technical of saying analogue button, and it seems like it from the images too. Can you paten something so simple and vague?
6,208,271 "Remote Controller with Analog Button"
Remote controller with analog button(s)
Abstract
A remote controller for controlling a host device, the controller including a housing, an electrical power source within the housing, electronic circuitry within the housing connected to the power source and including a radiation emitter to emit signals from the housing, a plurality of finger depressible buttons exposed on the housing and interfacing with sensors electrically associated with the circuitry. The buttons are for user selection of signals emitted for controlling a host device. At least some of the sensors are utilized only as momentary-On only On/Off sensors. At least one sensor(s) is a pressure-sensitive analog sensor structured for varying electrical conductance through at least three readable states or values. The readable states are dependant upon depressive pressure applied to the sensor(s) through finger depressible button(s). The circuitry is structured to read the readable states of the pressure-sensitive analog sensor(s) and to emit signals representing the state or value of the sensor(s). In one embodiment, the analog sensor(s) is/are elastomeric dome-cap sensor(s) including pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material positioned over proximal circuit elements of the circuitry. The analog sensors are preferably associated with selectable functions such as tuner channel changing as for televisions and supportive tuner devices, and video speed controls as for VCRs, DVDs and like recorded video players, and computers and audio and other like devices. Additionally disclosed are methods of use and manufacture.
My thoughts: Isnt this a regular TV/DVD/VCR controller with multiple digital buttons and with atleast one analogue button and a On/Off button? Seems like he can sue every electronic-company if this holds in court
6,222,525 "Remote controller with analog button(s)"
Image controllers with sheet connected sensors
Abstract
A sensor connecting sheet material for inclusion in appropriately structured multiple-axes controllers comprised of a single input member operable in 6 DOF relative to a reference member of the controller. The input member having return-to-center resiliency relative to the reference member on at least the three perpendicular linear axes. The input member can be of a continuously rotatable trackball-type or a limited rotation joystick-type, and the reference member can be a shaft, a base or a housing. The controllers include carriage structuring for influencing sheet connected sensors by hand-applied operation of the input member. The preferred structures provide cooperative interaction with movement or force influenced sensors in primarily a single area. Some, most, or all of the sensors are preferably supported on a generally single plane, such as on a printed flexible membrane sensor sheet or circuit board sheet. In an alternative embodiment, sensors and conductive traces are applied on a generally flat, flexible membrane sensor sheet, which is then bent into a three dimensional configuration which may in some cases reach a widely-spread 3-D constellation of 6 DOF and/or other sensor mountings. The use of sensors connected by a sheet member, whether finally applied in a flat or 3-D configuration, enables efficient circuit and sensor connection and placement during manufacture, resulting in low product costs and high reliability.
My thoughts: Well it is a device wich he calims can detect movement in 3D-space, and it sounds like the Wii controller. But if you look at the pictures it is demonstarted with a track-ball and when you move the trackball you move the sensors around to translate the movement to a computer. It is also demonstrated in a regular joystick for PC. And that is nothing like the Wiimote functions. And down the page it says "...an input member with associated sensors, said input member moveable on at least two axes..." first of all not very precise, and second of all two axis can detect in 2D enviroment not 3D. Funny coinsident later down the page "and particularly six degree of freedom computer image controllers which serve as interface input devices between the human hand(s) and graphic image displays such as a computer or television display" lets hope for Sony`s part that he didnt patent that catch-frase :lol:
6,343, 991 "Game Control with Analog Pressure Sensor"
Game control with analog pressure sensor
Abstract
A game controller of the type held in two hands simultaneously for controlling electronic games, including a housing, a plurality of depressible surfaces at least in-part exposed on the housing with the depressible surfaces in operational association with electricity manipulating devices contained within the housing and controlled by depression of the depressible surfaces for manipulating electrical outputs at least in-part useful for controlling electronic games. At least one of the electricity manipulating devices is a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating an analog electrical output proportional to varying physical pressure applied to at least one depressible surface. The analog electrical output is interpreted and utilized in controlling the action intensity of electronic game character imagery. Also disclosed are methods of use and manufacture of game controllers having at least one pressure-sensitive analog sensor.
My thoughts: A gaming controller you hold in both hands and have multiple digital buttons and atleast one analogue button. He uses SNES-pad and N64-pad as prior art and the result seems to be a SNES controller with analogue shoulderbuttons. These patents are really vague, this include almost every controller in the recent generation, because if a patent this vague you can call the analogue-stick the one analogue-button that is required. How can you make a controller NOT have this?
6,344,791 "Variable Sensor with Tactile Feedback"
Variable sensor with tactile feedback
Abstract
Structures and methods for using an analog sensor in combination with a user discernable snap-through threshold feedback, the feedback may be created by a dome-cap element of the sensor. The threshold feedback, sensed by a human user's finger, indicates activation and deactivation of the analog sensor. Tactile analog sensor(s) are structurally combined with: a second kind of tactile feedback referred to as active tactile feedback, flexible sheet sensor elements, pivotal analog buttons, and game imagery controls.
My thoughts: It seems to be... an analogue button *reads more down the page* yes it is, it is a pattent of an analogue button :| and the pictures you see a big analogue button you can press. Man this guy will be filthy rich if this law-suit comes through, think every comapny who has used analogue button he can sue :|
6,347,997 "Analog Controls Housed with Electronic Displays"
Analog controls housed with electronic displays
Abstract
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. Multiple analog sensors are sometimes utilized. 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.
My thoughts: On this one I am even more uncertain if I understand correctly. It seems to be a patent on analogue button when they are used in a product with a screen :| he uses a PC-monitor, a modified Game Boy and a PDA as example :| so I guess it is not the analogue button in itself he patents here, but if you use it on a product that also has a screen :| ... so... I guess... this is not a patent of an invention but if you use two things these things together... well if this works out I will start patenting many things like using bread and butter at the same time, food and spice, cars and gas and so on, I will be rich if the world is so insane :|
6,351,205 "Variable Conductance Sensor" (a different one)
Variable-conductance sensor
Abstract
A method of using an analog sensor variably depressed by only a single human finger to variably control an electronic game, the method including the steps: a) depressing, with the human finger, the analog sensor with varying pressure for variably controlling the electronic game; and b) receiving, through the finger, a user discernible snap-through tactile feedback. Additionally, a second depressing may be applied substantially because of the receiving of the feedback.
My thoughts: This is very similar to the Gamecube shouldebuttons actually. An analogue button which sence how much pressure you apply, and with a extra snap when you press it completely like an extra digital button of some sort. This would seem to be the most credible pice of violation until you see the date it is patentet February 26, 2002, which is a year after the GC was released, and common sence would tell me that Nintendo or if they are using another companies tech would have patentet their use LONG before GC was released, if they didnt it is a terrible slip of Nintendo when you see some of the strange things people patent aperently.
6,400, 303 "Remote Controller with Analog Pressure Sensor" (a different one)
Remote controller with analog pressure sensor (S)
Abstract
A remote controller, methods of use and manufacture thereof, for controlling electronic devices or host devices, the controller including a housing, electronic circuitry, power source and structuring for communicating with the electronic device to be controlled. A plurality of finger depressible buttons are exposed and interfacing with sensors associated with the circuitry. The buttons are for user selection of communication information sent to the host. At least one sensor is a pressure-sensitive analog sensor structured for varying electrical conductance through at least three readable states dependent upon user selected varying depressive pressure levels applied to the associated button. The circuitry reads the states of the analog sensor and information representing the state or value of the sensor is communicated to the host. A user can select any of a plurality of selectable pressure levels associated with analog sensor.
My thoughts: It seems to yet another TVDVDVCR controller with digital buttons and atleast one analogue button. Probable a connection to the previous remote even though the article said a different one.
6,563,415 "Analog Sensor with Snap Through Tactile Feedback"
Analog sensor(s) with snap-through tactile feedback
Abstract
An analog sensor depressible by a single human finger/thumb. Depressive force is applied to a dome-cap and to analog materials for varying an analog output of the sensor responsive to varying force applied by a single finger or thumb. Depressive force causes the dome-cap to bow downward passing through a user discernable threshold, causing a snap-through tactile sensation. In some embodiments the dome-cap is metallic.
My thoughts: This seems to be very similar to the previous analogue button with a extra click/button/snap that could relate to the Gamecube shoulder-buttons... but the date is even a year later then the previous patent (May 13, 2003) so if Nintendo or their partners in making the GC patented their inventions then this should be no problem.
6,906,700 "3D Controller with Vibration"
3D controller with vibration
Abstract
A hand operated controller or converter structured for allowing hand inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, the controller structured with a plate or platform moveable relative to a base or housing about two mutually perpendicular axes generally parallel to the platform to effect a plurality of sensors for defining output signal(s) based on movement of the platform. The sensors each have an electrically active activator spatially separated from an electric contact surface. A tactile feedback motor with shaft and offset weight is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a hand operating the controller. In some embodiments the sensors are pressure sensitive variable output sensors.
My thoughts: This one I am even more unceartain of what he means. But it may mean (keep in mind, this may be way wrong) that he has patented a tilt controller. It seems to a way for the controller to sence the movement of the hands. But to many words I dont understand here, keep in mind english is not my native language and the english I learned in school/Internet/Movies/TV/Forums/Games was not suppose to cover technical patents in english. For some reason I only get blank images too so I cant see any visual examples of what he means. But if I am right he has patented a controller with tilt and rumble. Strange... I was certain that was done before... and why do he also use the 6 degree of freedom slogan that Sony does?
United States Patent and Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/ if you want to see the pictures you need a plug-in from the main site.
The Inquirer http://www.theinquirer.net/default. aspx?article=33466 the source of the article
I am not very used to read patent-descriptions so take this as my opinion on the matter. And I know I will NEVER work for a patent-agency, to read all that obscure, and try to compare them to excisting patents to see if it valid would make me insane after a couple of days.
Personally I cant see how he can win, not without opening the gate to a flood of strange patent law-suits.... I mean more then there already is :P
And yes I have nothing to do, and yes this is a very strange way to spend my time :P
I have also found a great way to have random pictures in my signature, so I made 9 different signatures that you might have seen. Here you can see all of them. 
I really like playing around with Photoshop, and I want to learn more. So how do you think about my sigs and banner? 
So what do you think of it? 
What is this? And why do I have it? The explanation I get when I click it is this: "Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey 2006 Turkey Turkey Turkey" And I have to admit, I have no idea what it means :?
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