You may have heard that both Microsoft and Nintendo have been hit with a lawsuit from Texas-based company Anascape, which claims that both console manufacturers have infringed on a load of their patents relating to controller technology over the last seven years.

Anascape claims that it is owed interest for past damages, plus a substantial license fee from both companies, should they wish to keep using analogue sensors, tactile feedback, and vibration mechanisms.

Anascape’s Brad Armstrong patented something called 'Variable Conductance Sensor' back in 1999 as well as the following, over the course of the last seven years:

'Game Controller with Analog Pressure Sensor'
'Variable Conductance Sensor with Elastomeric Dome Cap'
'Remote Controller with Analog Button'
'Image Controller with Sheet Connected Sensors'
'Game Control with Analog Pressure Sensor'
'Variable Sensor with Tactile Feedback'
'Analog Controls Housed with Electronic Displays'
'Analog Sensor with Snap Through Tactile Feedback'
'3D Controller with Vibration'

Do any SPOnG readers have any amazingly vague patents that they have registered over the last five or ten years which might make them inadvertently really rich by enabling them to sue some company which has made a healthy profit out of something which might sound a bit like it? Let us know in the forums. Share this item on... Comments >>