Haptic Feedback Company Immersion Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Apple

[MacRumors]

Immersion, a company that develops and licenses haptic touch feedback technology, today filed a lawsuit against Apple and AT&T accusing the two companies of patent infringement. Citing technologies like 3D Touch, Force Touch, the Apple Watch Taptic Engine, and vibration patterns for ringtones and notifications, Immersion says multiple Apple devices use its intellectual property.

According to Immersion, the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition infringe on several Immersion patents that cover haptic feedback systems. Immersion says all of the above listed devices infringe on two patents related to tactile sensations:

- U.S. Patent No. 8,619,051: "Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects"

- U.S. Patent No. 8,773,356: "Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations"

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are further accused of infringing on an additional patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,659,571, titled "Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices."

"Immersion and its employees have worked diligently for over 20 years to invent solutions and build an ecosystem of content and playback devices that enable realistic and rich digital experiences. Touch matters, as it informs, excites and humanizes the digital world we interact with every day. Many of our licensed customers are market leaders that benefit from our innovation in touch technology," said Immersion's CEO Victor Viegas.

"While we are pleased to see others in the industry recognize the value of haptics and adopt it in their products, it is important for us to protect our business against infringement of our intellectual property in order to preserve the ecosystem we have built and the investments that we have made in continuing to advance haptic experiences," added Viegas. "We will vigorously defend the intellectual property we have developed when it is infringed."

While Apple is named in the lawsuit because it produces the devices that allegedly infringe on Immersion patents, it is less clear while AT&T is named. In the filing, Immersion claims AT&T sells Apple products and offers guides, directions, and other materials that "encourage and facilitate infringing use by others," but other mobile carriers are not mentioned or included in the lawsuit.

Along with the patent infringement suit, Immersion has also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, seeking an exclusion order that prevents the sale of the accused Apple devices in the United States.

Article Link: Haptic Feedback Company Immersion Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Apple

 

[chakdey]

Here we go again

 

[saintforlife]

Let me guess, the suit was filed in East Texas?

 

[DeftwillP]

Lol...are they saying they created haptic feedback and own all rights to it?

 

[LordVic]

HI GUYS! I Just made some fresh popcorn, Anyone want some?

This will be fun!

 

[gsmornot]

I better look out. I myself have told several people at least about haptic.

 

[Bubba Satori]

I just downloaded the Untouchables.
Now when I read the comments in this thread I'll
hear them in the voice of Sean Connery.

 

[gixxerfool]

I am curious to see how this will play out. People say Apple can't patent the look of something. Immersion is saying they patented a sensation. Is there source code they used directly? What exactly would you license from Immersion?

 

[jclo]

Let me guess, the suit was filed in East Texas?

Delaware.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Lol...are they saying they created haptic feedback and own all rights to it?

Well they basically put it on the map. I had a Logitech mouse that used Immersion haptic feedback around Win XP time. No one else was doing anything with haptic feedback then. Their patents are probably legit AND they aren't a patent troll company so I'll give this a least a shot before I'll blast them for patent abuse.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

given its filed in Delaware (not East Texas) and that haptic feedback mimicking a "click" feel seems novel to me (as opposed to say the buzz for a notification being no different than silent mode rings) it's possible there's a real case here.

 

[Deelron]

AT&T? Really?

 

[pocenas]

Immersion, a company that develops and licenses haptic touch feedback technology, today filed a lawsuit against Apple and AT&T accusing the two companies of patent infringement. Citing technologies like 3D Touch, Force Touch, the Apple Watch Taptic Engine, and vibration patterns for ringtones and notifications, Immersion says multiple Apple devices use its intellectual property.

According to Immersion, the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition infringe on several Immersion patents that cover haptic feedback systems. Immersion says all of the above listed devices infringe on two patents related to tactile sensations:

- U.S. Patent No. 8,619,051: "Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects"

- U.S. Patent No. 8,773,356: "Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations"

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are further accused of infringing on an additional patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,659,571, titled "Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices."While Apple is named in the lawsuit because it produces the devices that allegedly infringe on Immersion patents, it is less clear while AT&T is named. In the filing, Immersion claims AT&T sells Apple products and offers guides, directions, and other materials that "encourage and facilitate infringing use by others," but other mobile carriers are not mentioned or included in the lawsuit.

Along with the patent infringement suit, Immersion has also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, seeking an exclusion order that prevents the sale of the accused Apple devices in the United States.

Article Link: Haptic Feedback Company Immersion Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Apple

[doublepost=1455231963][/doublepost]This needs to stop seriously... wonder how many vibrator companies they sued....

 

[Agilis]

This is stupid. Vibration patterns? Really? So this company thinks they can patent haptic feedback, which almost every Android device currently implements. Again, stupid.

 

[jon67]

This is stupid. Vibration patterns? Really? So this company thinks they can patent haptic feedback, which almost every Android device currently implements. Again, stupid.

Immersion is for real. All the Android manufacturers have licensed from IMMR and you can get IMMR's haptic SDKs to develop for Android.

 

[Junipr]

HI GUYS! I Just made some fresh popcorn, Anyone want some?

This will be fun!

 

[2010mini]

Is a lawsuit against Google coming next? Because Android employs haptic feedback also.

 

[sw1tcher]

This is stupid. Vibration patterns? Really?

Not as stupid as a patent for rounded corners.

So this company thinks they can patent haptic feedback, which almost every Android device currently implements.

Yes. The U.S. Patent office granted Immersion two patents related to tactile sensations:

- U.S. Patent No. 8,619,051: "Haptic Feedback System with Stored Effects"

- U.S. Patent No. 8,773,356: "Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations"

 

[jon67]

Is a lawsuit against Google coming next? Because Android employs haptic feedback also.

The Android manufacturers are Immersion licensees.

 

[sw1tcher]

Is a lawsuit against Google coming next? Because Android employs haptic feedback also.

No. Because Google is actually licensing their technology, unlike Apple.... if this lawsuit is valid.

From http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/27/...lawsuit-from-immersion-over-motorola-haptics/

Google settles patent lawsuit from Immersion over Motorola use of haptic feedback

Nov. 27, 2012

Immersion is known for guarding its haptic feedback patents with enthusiasm -- just ask Microsoft, among others. Motorola learned first-hand when Immersion sued over the use of basic haptic technology in May, but all that's water under the bridge now that Motorola's new parent Google is settling the matter out of court.

While the exact sums aren't public, Google will pay Immersion to address any relevant past shipments, license the patents for future Motorola shipments and take care of "certain issues" with Google-badged hardware using the disputed vibration techniques. Immersion's end of the bargain is simply to end its legal action, including an ITC complaint, although the company makes clear that non-Motorola Android phones aren't covered by the deal.

 

[DUCKofD3ATH]

"Haptic" sounds like slang from the 50s: Like that's haptic daddy-o!

 

[Fenez]

As long as others seem to be paying for the right to use it, seems legitimate.

 

[jrlcopy]

You'll remember Immersion from such lawsuits as Sony and the PS3 and this company being the reason why the first couple years the PS3 lacked rumble tech in their controller.

 

[sir1963nz]

I am curious to see how this will play out. People say Apple can't patent the look of something. Immersion is saying they patented a sensation. Is there source code they used directly? What exactly would you license from Immersion?

Huh, this reminds me of Rumble strips on roads ro lets people know by noise/feel that they area reaching the edge of their lane/road.
I also recall pedestrians using these for the hearing/sight impaired on the crossings

footpaths that have textured areas for the blind.

There are a lot of examples out in the real world that is using this technique

 

[RobertMartens]

I just downloaded the Untouchables. Now when I read the comments in this thread, I'll hear them in the voice of Sean Connery.



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