Ohio-Based Technology Company Sues Many Over Interactive Fitness Patent

November 23, 2011

An Ohio-based technology company Impulse Technology has filed a lawsuit against multiple gaming companies for infringing on a motion-control technology patented by the group in 1996. Impulse Technology claims that companies such as Nintendo, EA, Namco Bandai, Konami, Ubisoft, and Majesco are all violating the patent, and should be fined for the infringement.

Impulse claims that these companies have violated its patent for an "interactive system for measuring physiological exertion," and that the patent clearly explains a system that measures user activity through devices attached to limbs. These "devices" then send real-time data back to help form an “interactively controlled” video sequence on a monitor.

The claim specifically names Wii Fit Plus, Zumba Fitness, Grand Slam Tennis, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 3 and UFC Personal Trainer as breaking the patent, because they use a device such as the Wii Remote and Balance Board.

Impulse Technology does have a device on the market called the InterActive Fitness Machine. The company is also currently engaged in legal disputes with Microsoft over the Kinect motion sensing technology.

Source: IndustryGamers

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Comments

Re: Ohio-Based Technology Company Sues Many Over Interactive ...

Submitted by tallimar on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 20:51.

i wonder if anyone has patented breathing yet?

Re: Ohio-Based Technology Company Sues Many Over Interactive ...

Submitted by Neeneko on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 12:07.

1996 huh? Sueing for a system released in 2006?

There really needs to be a statute of limitations on these claims.

Re: Ohio-Based Technology Company Sues Many Over Interactive ...

Submitted by CyberSkull on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 20:18.

As I recall, the limitations on patents in the US is something like 17 years.

Re: Ohio-Based Technology Company Sues Many Over Interactive ...

Submitted by hellfire7885 on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 12:50.

Agreed. All I'm seeing are people who come up with a vague idea and sit on it so they can sue whoever comes up with anything similar.

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Cecil475: @hellfire7885 - Makes me want to support Nintendo even more.05/24/2013 - 4:49pm

hellfire7885: Man, EA seems to be determined to destroy the Wii U ,and the evidently are so arrogant as to believe not making games for it will do that.05/24/2013 - 4:45pm

DorthLous: Pwahahahha http://www.destructoid.com/wii-u-sales-drastically-spike-after-xbox-one-presentation-254449.phtml#LlG8HEYbQj2krql5.0105/24/2013 - 2:23pm

james_fudge: she gets no credit until she employs some common sense. - 2 credits for her.05/24/2013 - 11:22am

Andrew Eisen: To Stender's credit, she did unmoderate my most recent comment within a day's time. There's even a couple other replies. None from her though.05/24/2013 - 11:18am

james_fudge: apparently gamers are all 14 - 21 years-olds living in basements according to her way of thinking...05/24/2013 - 11:11am

ZippyDSMlee: EZK: 0_o thier video card chipset is at the very least 3 versions behind the top PC video card.......05/24/2013 - 7:38am

MechaTama31: "You just wouldn't understand how my parenting preferences are more important than everybody else's freedoms."05/24/2013 - 7:37am

DorthLous: I love how she plays the "I'm a parent, you're a gamer, you couldn't understand" card... I'm a parent and I find her position despicable...05/23/2013 - 4:16pm

E. Zachary Knight: She didn't address your questions because she doesn't have any answers.05/23/2013 - 3:38pm

Andrew Eisen: I replied to her comment. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get a reply.05/23/2013 - 3:24pm

Thomas Riordan: @Andrew Eisen To what bowling alley does she go that puts sexual images in the faces of 6 year olds?05/23/2013 - 3:17pm

Andrew Eisen: Well, it took a month but Linda Stender finally replied to me... and didn't address a single one of my questions. http://aswlindastender.com/2013/04/23/follow-up-video-games-and-their-effect-on-children/05/23/2013 - 3:13pm

Imautobot: Also, from a tech perspective the PS4 is apparently already winning. http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-vs-playstation-4-specs/05/23/2013 - 3:12pm

Imautobot: Sony's PS4 motto should be "We play games." Microsoft's should be "We play games, when we're not rewinding your tapes."05/23/2013 - 3:11pm

Andrew Eisen: Oh look, Dying Light was just announced For Everything But Wii U. That's 73.05/23/2013 - 2:06pm

james_fudge: Zippy: they said the same thing about Cell. How did that turn out.05/23/2013 - 1:28pm

Andrew Eisen: Need for Speed Rivals is coming out For Everything But Wii U - PS3, 360, PC, PS4 and Xbox One. That brings the grand total up to 72.05/23/2013 - 12:55pm

PHX Corp: http://wiiudaily.com/2013/05/microsoft-is-selling-the-wii-u-better-than-nintendo/ Wii U daily Opinion: Microsoft is selling the Wii U better than Nintendo05/23/2013 - 12:23pm

E. Zachary Knight: Zippy, they very well may be. But that will only last until they are released. At that time, they will be two generations behind.05/23/2013 - 11:14am

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