Steam – Patent Arcade

Feb

2022

U.S. Patent No. 11,045,725: Controller visualization in virtual and augmented reality environments

Issued June 29, 2021, to Valve Corp.
Filed/Priority to May 14, 2019

Hey, where’d my controller go? A common question when playing VR.

Overview:

U.S. Patent No. 11,045,725 (the ‘725 patent) relates to a virtual representation of a controller in a virtual/augmented reality environment. The ‘725 patent details an optical tracking system with optical sensors, and the tracking system determines the location and orientation of a moveable tracked object (likely the controller) based on the determined angular location of one or more of the sensors, causing a display to present a virtual representation of the movable tracked object in the virtual environment. The optical tracking system receives context information relating to the virtual environment in which the movable tracked object is used, causing the system to alter the virtual representation of the object based on the received context information. The ‘725 patent also could allow notifications received from an external device to cause alterations to the virtual representation of the object based on the received notification, such as a phone call or a notification someone is at the user’s door. The ‘725 patent could allow tracking of a controller, as well as varied representations of holdable controller objects in VR and AR, without requiring a differently shaped controller.

Abstract:

Controller visualization systems and methods for use in virtual/augmented reality environments such as walk-around virtual reality environments are described. The virtual representation of a physical control device may be altered based on the context of the virtual environment. Certain embodiments combine the virtual rendering of the tracked control device with a real-time video representation of part of the operating space. In certain embodiments, the display of additional information relating to the function of interactive elements may be displayed based on context, such as when a specific action is required from a user in the virtual space.

Illustrative Claim:

An optical tracking system, comprising: control circuitry operatively coupleable to one or more optical sensors of a movable tracked object that is positionable within an operating space, in operation, the control circuitry: for each of the one or more optical sensors, computes an angular location within the operating space; determines the location and orientation of the movable tracked object based on the determined angular location of the one or more optical sensors; causes a display to present a virtual visual representation of the movable tracked object in a virtual reality environment with a location and orientation within the virtual reality environment that corresponds to the determined location and orientation of the movable tracked object in the operating space; receives context information indicative of the virtual reality environment context in which the movable tracked object is used; and alters the virtual visual representation of the movable tracked object based on the received context information.

Jul

2021

Updates on Valve’s Virtual Patent Jury Trial

Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corporation
Case No. C17-1182
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Decided: July 19, 2021

On January 5, 2021, the first virtual patent jury trial commenced. Ironburg Inventions Ltd. (“Ironburg”) asserted the now discontinued Steam Controller made by The Valve Corporation (“Valve”) infringed Ironburg’s patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,641,525 (the ‘525 patent). Because the trial was held virtually, each member of the jury was mailed one of the allegedly infringing Steam Controllers.

At trial, much to Valve’s dismay, the jury sided with Ironburg, finding that Valve had willfully infringed on numerous claims in the ‘525 patent. Valve’s counsel argued that the decision would be simple and that merely the patent and the controller were enough evidence for the jury to make the right decision. After the jury found for Ironburg, this argument ultimately hurt Valve when it tried to get the verdict thrown out.

After the trial both parties made post-trial motions. Valve asked for a judgement as a matter of law (JMOL), or alternatively a new trial, which is only granted if the evidence outright does not support the verdict. Unfortunately for Valve, the judge rejected this motion because he agreed with Valve’s argument that the two pieces of evidence were plenty to support a finding, justifying the finding that Valve infringed on Ironburg’s patent and had to pay over $4 million.

Ironburg made a post-trial motion asking for enhanced damages under The Patent Act, which allows the court to multiply damages up to three times to punish willful patent infringement. 35 U.S.C. § 284. Enhancement of damages is discretionary so a court can chose to enhance or not based on all of the circumstances. Here, under all of the circumstances, including that claim 1 of Ironburg’s patent had been declared invalid after Valve requested inter partes review (IPR), the court declined to enhance the damages.

IPR is conducted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) to review the patentability of claims in a patent, only on 35 U.S.C. § 102 and 35 U.S.C. § 103 grounds. These sections relate to availability and obviousness of inventions in art prior to a patent, and make already available and obvious inventions patent-ineligible.

Valve filed a patent application for a new controller in 2018, which was granted in 2020. It is unclear if it will see production considering that the first controller was not a hit with consumers and has now cost Valve over $4 million in court. Also, with the Steam Deck releasing in December 2021, it is possible Valve has moved on to new hardware projects.

We will post updates on any future lawsuits between Valve and Ironburg, as well as any relevant news on Valve’s new controller or the Steam Deck.

Jan

2021

Court Sends Jurors Steam Controllers in First Zoom Patent Jury Trial

Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corporation
Case No. 2:17-cv-01182
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Filed December 3, 2015

Ironburg Inventions Ltd. (“Ironburg”) is suing Valve Corporation (“Valve”) in the first patent jury trial to be held over Zoom. Ironburg claims that Valve’s Steam Controller infringes its U.S. Patent Nos. 8,641,525 and 9,089,770 for controllers with back controls operated by a user’s middle fingers, which conventional controllers do not have.

To aid the jury in its determination, the Court ordered that each juror be mailed a Steam Controller so that they may reference it during the Zoom trial. The Court instructed jurors “not to open the boxes or inspect the devices until told to do so.” In its response to the Court’s order, Ironburg stated that it does not object to this plan, provided that it may also view the devices to “ensure all parties agree the correct devices are sent to and received by the jurors . . . in an attempt to mirror the procedure for physical evidence that would likely be employed for an in-person jury trial.” Valve did not submit a response objecting to the Court’s order.

U.S. Patent No. 11,045,725: Controller visualization in virtual and augmented reality environments

U.S. Patent No. 11,045,725: Controller visualization in virtual and augmented reality environments

Updates on Valve’s Virtual Patent Jury Trial

Updates on Valve’s Virtual Patent Jury Trial

Court Sends Jurors Steam Controllers in First Zoom Patent Jury Trial

Court Sends Jurors Steam Controllers in First Zoom Patent Jury Trial

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