Sony to Patent Robot Accessories

A new patent has recently surfaced that details the possibility of a robot being used with a video gaming system.  The patent was filed last June by Sony Computer Entertainment, and it shows a robot with a camera that will enable the machine to decipher the surrounding environment.  Kotaku.com also reports that the robot would have a microphone, giving it the ability to determine orders and react to sounds.

Some are wondering what Sony could do with a robot for video games, and there aren’t many details of how this robot could be used.  Yet, the patent details an information processing system which lets the robot respond to commands even though the player’s viewpoint is different than the robot’s.

If this robot is ever manufactured, it will not be until Sony receives an influx of cash.  Sony recently froze their company wages in an effort to cut company loses.

New Controller for Playstation?

A recent patent filing by Sony Computer Entertainment hints at a possible new remote to be used in video games.  The device, unnamed in the patent, contains a LED on the front and an external power supply.  The emitted light is captured by an inexpensive camera, and translated into user input data, reports Siliconera.

For those thinking that such a device may imitate the Wiimote, a diagram on the application shows that the game controller device may not be wand.  Instead, the controller could fit on a finger, radiating light from multiple LEDs.  Also, the program produces one or more colors of light, allowing it to be played in differently lit rooms.

It’s not assured that this patent will result in a new controller, but it’s fun to think that the future of video games could include finger ring controllers.

Patent Licensing Deal Will Lower Cost of Blu-ray

In a joint press release, Panasonic, Philips and Sony announced that they are working with other patent holders to create a license for Blu-ray products.  The license will cover essential patents for Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs.  Furthermore, it is expected that this deal will lower royalty rates by at least 40%, reducing the cost of movies, music or games to consumers.

The licensing program will be offered by a new licensing company that is based in the United States.  The head of the license company is Gerald Rosenthal, a former head of IP at IBM and CEO of Open Invention Network.  In addition to lowering the cost of royalties, this licensing program will create a “one-stop-shop” for product licenses, reducing the burden on licensed companies.  As Mr. Rosenthal said:

By establishing a new licensing entity that offers a single license for Blu-ray Disc products at attractive rates, I am confident that it will foster the growth of the Blu-ray Disc market and serve the interest of all companies participating in this market, be it as licensee or licensor.

The companies are stating that this license will be introduced in the middle of 2009.  This program also offers measures to identify unlicensed products in the market, as well as a system to address those who have not properly obtained a license.

Hopefully this license will fulfill the promise of reducing the prices of Blu-ray discs, making it easier for the consumer.

Sony, Nokia, and Nintendo Sued over Wireless Tech

On February 13, Wall Wireless LLC filed a lawsuit against Sony, Nintendo and Nokia.  As reported by Computer and Video Games, the lawsuit alleges that Sony’s PSP, Nintendo’s DS, as well as other real-time online multiplayer games infringe on Wall’s wireless patent.  Wall also claims that Nokia’s mobile devices infringe on their patent, as well as the mobile game Reset Generation.

The patent in question is titled, “Method and Apparatus for Creating and Distributing Real-Time Interactive Media Content through Wireless Communication Networks and the Internet.”  The patents were filed in 2001, and were granted by the USPTO in 2003.  The lawsuit states that all of the defendants received a notice of the patent in October 2008, but none of the companies have yet to take a license under the patent.

Wall Wireless is seeking damages, costs, expenses, attorney’s fees and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

Will Eco-Patent Commons Help Global Sustainability?

Last month, the Eco-Patent Commons was launched to spur creativity and collaboration in solving the problems of environmental sustainability.  According to Change.org, several companies have already participated, including IBM, Sony, Nokia, and Pitney Bowes.  These companies have combined to release close to three dozen patents related to energy conservation, preventing pollution, and using greener materials in manufacturing.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development classifies the Eco-Patent Commons as the following:

The Eco-Patent Commons is an initiative to create a collection of patents on technology that directly or indirectly protects the environment.  The patents will be pledged by companies and other intellectual property rights holders and made available to anyone free of charge.

One must wonder about the effectiveness of such patents, since there is not necessarily any monetary benefit from gearing patents towards the Eco-Patent Commons.  Until solving environmental sustainability becomes lucrative, most companies will still gear their R&D towards products that will be high in value, rather than altruism.

Avistar Issued Patent for Text and Video IM

Avistar Communications Corporation has announced that they have received a new patent, relating to instant message systems supporting both text IM and video IM over the internet.  The patent, issued this past Tuesday, involves logging in from an arbitrary communication device and providing popular IM buddy list features, Avistar stated in a press release.

Since September 2008, the company has received 14 patents, which have added patent coverage to technologies involving text IM, VoIP and desktop video conferencing.  Although Avistar currently holds 97 patents, these recent patents add to important aspects of real-time communications including wireless, mobile devices, buddy list directories, VoIP, video, and communications servers.

Simon Moss, the CEO of Avistar, stated, “Avistar’s commitment to research and development means that our customers continue to get the latest technology, allowing us to set the pace for the industry.  We believe our patent portfolio represents the world’s most comprehensive and deepest IP holdings in this rapidly growing commercial area.”

Avistar provides business-class technology, and currently serves companies such as IBM, Sony, LifeSize Communications and Polycom Inc.

Sony Patents Touchscreen Printer

Due to the recent hype surrounding the release of the Palm Pre, touchscreens have become the newest craze.  Thus, news about touchscreens have stolen must of the IP headlines in recent days, and now Sony is joining in.  There are reports that  Sony is looking to release their own touchscreen digital printer.

According to Cnet News, a recent Sony patent describes a printer with a touchscreen user interface.  The printer wirelessly downloads photos from a digital camera, and the user can preview them on a screen and decide which ones to print.

Many suspect that the printer will also have popular options such as red-eye fixes, cropping, and other basic image adjustments.  However, since this technology is still in the patent stage it is not assured that it will eventually make its way to the market.

Some critics think that this technology rivals the Microsoft Surface, which allows users to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions.  One of the many capabilities of the Surface is that, like the new Sony printer, it also can download digital pictures from cameras.  It’ll be interesting to see if the new Sony device hits the market, and if it will face litigation from Microsoft.

Sound-Sensing PS3 Controller

Rumors of a Playstation 3 motion control remote are no more – they are fact.  A recent patent filing has confirmed that Sony has developed a controller that includes advanced features and functionality, which are currently impossible with the Wii remote, or Wii’s upcoming 1:1 MotionPlus add-on.  This technology includes PlayStation Eye tracking, and “ultrasonic” waves to track a player in 3-D space, GamePro reports. 

The patent filing, which was research by GameIndustry.biz, states:

Game interface tracks the position of one or more game controllers in a 3-dimensional space using hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking system.  The captured video information is used to identify a horizotal and vertical position for each controller within a capture area.  The ultrasonic tracking system analyzes sound communications to determine the distances between the game system and each controller.

It’ll be interesting to see what type of impact this patent has on the Wii.  While there might not be much impact, it’s possible that Wii might be in trouble if the motion control remote is utilized by other gaming systems.

Sony Loses $18.5 Million Patent Lawsuit

The Escapist Reports

Stealing is lucrative, until you get caught.

With the economic situation still rather dismal, game publishers are hungrily eying consumers’ wallets in hopes of strong sales this holiday season. What a bad time to have to f

ork over millions of dollars for a lapse in judgment. This week, a Texas jury ruled Sony must pay $18.5 million in damages to Agere Systems for infringing on patents for wireless LAN technology used in the PSP and other Sony handheld devices. Additionally, the jury also ruled So

ny’s violation of the patents was willful. Naughty!

Agere Systems filed the lawsuit over two years ago and has since merged with the California-based computer electronics company LSI Corporation. The latter specializ

es in “silicon, systems and software technologies that enable products which seamlessly bring people, information and digital content together.”