Immersion Adds 23 Patents to Intellectual Property Portfolio in FirstQuarter; Expertise in Haptic-Based Controls, Simulation and Training, and 3DDesign and Interaction
SAN JOSE, Calif., Apr 28, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today announced that it has added 23 U.S. and international patents to its intellectual patent portfolio in its first quarter ending March 2004. The company now has more than 230 issued patents worldwide with more than an additional 250 patents pending.
Included in the new patents is U.S. Patent No. 6,707,443, "Haptic Trackball Device." This patent discloses, among other things, a haptic trackball device capable of, for example, providing haptic sensations to a person using a computer system.
Also included is U.S. Patent No. 6,697,086, "Designing Force Sensations for Force Feedback Computer Applications." This patent discloses, among other things, a design interface tool for designing force sensations for a force feedback device.
"Our revenue comes from a mix of royalties and license fees, product sales, and development contracts," explains Immersion CEO Vic Viegas. "We vary our business model in order to best address the customer need. That means that we sell hardware and software products to some customers; components to others; and in certain situations, we license our technology along with development tools. We're able to solve problems for our medical, automotive, mobile device, entertainment, industrial, and military customers because of the depth of our technology expertise and our ability to invent new solutions."
The complete list of Immersion patents awarded in the first quarter of this year:
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,697,048 - Computer Interface Apparatus
Including Linkage Having Flex
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,705,871 - Method and Apparatus for Providing
an Interface Mechanism for a Computer Simulation
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,697,086 - Designing Force Sensations for
Force Feedback Computer Applications
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,704,683 - Direct Velocity Estimation for
Encoders Using Nonlinear Period Measurement
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,704,002 - Position Sensing Methods for
Interface Devices
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,697,044 - Haptic Feedback Device with Button
Forces
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,686,911 - Control Knob with Control Modes
and Force Feedback
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,704,001 - Force Feedback Device Including
Actuator with Moving Magnet
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,715,045 - Memory and Force Output Management
for a Force Feedback System
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,693,622 - Vibrotactile Haptic Feedback
Devices
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,680,729 - Increasing Force Transmissability
for Tactile Feedback Interface Devices
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,697,043 - Haptic Interface Device and
Actuator Assembly Providing Linear Haptic Sensations
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,707,443 - Haptic Trackball Device
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,693,626 - Haptic Feedback Using a Keyboard
Device
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,686,901 - Enhancing Inertial Tactile
Feedback In Computer Interface Devices Having Increased Mass
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,683,437 - Current Controlled Motor Amplifier
System
-- U.S. Patent No. 6,703,550 - Sound Data Output and Manipulation
Using Haptic Feedback
-- Patent No. 0 803 114 (Europe) - Apparatus for Providing
Mechanical Input/Output for Computer Systems Interfaced with
Elongated Flexible Objects
-- Patent No. 0 804 786 (Europe) - Method and Apparatus for
Providing High Bandwidth, Low Noise Mechanical Input/Output
for Computer Systems
-- Patent No. 0 870 296 (Europe) - Apparatus for Providing Low
Cost Force Feedback and Mechanical Input/Output for Computer
Systems
-- Patent No. 770385 (Australia) - Implementation Force Feedback
Over the World Wide Web and Other Computer Networks
-- Patent No. GB2353116 (United Kingdom) - Memory and Force
Output Management For a Force Feedback System
-- Patent No. GB2387218 (United Kingdom) - Force Feedback
Joystick Device Including Single-Phase, Fixed-Coil Actuator
About Immersion (www.immersion.com)
Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is a recognized leader in developing, licensing and marketing digital touch technology and products. Bringing value to markets where man-machine interaction needs to be made more compelling, safer or productive, Immersion helps its partners broaden market reach by making the use of touch feedback as critical a user experience as sight and sound. Immersion's technology is deployed across personal computing, entertainment, medical training, automotive, and 3D simulation markets. Immersion and its wholly-owned subsidiaries hold more than 230 issued patents worldwide.
