Immersion Corporation

Immersion Corporation of San Jose, California, is a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, also known as haptic technology. It was founded in 1993 by Louis Rosenberg.

Immersion Corporation
NASDAQ: IMMR
Russell 2000 Component
IndustryTechnology
Founded1993
FounderLouis Rosenberg
Headquarters
San Jose, California
,
United States of America
Revenue $111 M
Number of employees
64 (2018)
Websitewww.immersion.com

Immersion's technology is used in digital technology in mobile devices, automotive touchscreen and touchpads, medical training equipment, gaming consoles and other consumer electronics. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Immersion's website, Immersion's patent portfolio includes over 3,200 issued or pending patents[1][2] in the U.S. and other countries. Immersion Corporation has been accused of being a patent troll in the media.[3]

History

Immersion was founded in 1993 by Louis Rosenberg.[4] Rosenberg also served as the company's CEO until 2000.

  • Nov 1999, the company went public. Shares were offered at $12.00.[5]
  • In 1997, Immersion worked with Microsoft to integrate their Immersion's TouchSense technology into Microsoft's DirectInput API for DirectX 5.0.[6] Microsoft and Immersion continued to work together on DirectX 6 and 7,[7] and signed an agreement in 1999 to share each other's "feel simulation technology".[8]
  • In 2002, Immersion filed a suit against Microsoft and Sony alleging that their game console controllers were infringing on two of Immersion's patents; both defendants eventually reached agreements with Immersion that involved multimillion-dollar payments.[9]
  • September 2014: Immersion launches TouchSense Engage Solution for Mobile Video Content and debuts first-ever haptically enabled trailer with SHOWTIMES to promote Homeland Season 4.
  • March 2015: Immersion launches TouchSense Engage Solution for Mobile Games, providing developers with code and support to help add tactile effects to mobile games
  • February 2015: Immersion launches its Instinctive Alerts Framework, an innovative approach to tactile notifications for wearable devices
  • June 2015: Company announces that more than 3 billion devices worldwide are enabled with Immersion’s haptic technology.
  • February 2016: Immersion claims Apple has infringed two patents on the iPhone 6s and new Apple Watch. The CEO of Immersion is seeking compensation from Apple and an injunction on US sales.[10]
  • February 2017: Immersion announces TouchSense Force , a combination of development software and hardware that it hopes will enhance haptic feedback in both existing game controllers and new devices to make for better VR experiences and other content. Immersion also announced their UE4 plugin that utilizes TouchSense Force. The plugin allows users to easily design haptic effects and quickly integrate the effects into their game.
  • October 2017: Immersion announces its Unity (game engine) version of its UE4 plugin, known as TouchSense Force Haptic Lab.
  • January 2018: Immersion reached a global settlement and license agreements with Apple.

Recent customer/partnership announcements
  • April 2015: Announces new category on Google Play Store, “Games You Can Feel” which features mobile games enabled with Immersion’s haptic technology
  • Immersion has a multi-year partnership with Nintendo to use its haptic technology on the Nintendo Switch.[11]

References
  1. "Immersion Corporation – Haptics for the Digital User Experience". www.immersion.com. Retrieved 2015-10-05.
  2. "United States Patent & Trademark Office Assignment Database". www.uspto.gov. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  3. "Apple Sued By Immersion For Allegedly Infringing Haptic Feedback Patents Used In 3D Touch". Tech Times. February 12, 2016.
  4. "Immersion Corporation - Welcome to the Immersion Web Site". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
  5. "IMMERSION CORP (IMMR) IPO". NASDAQ.com. Retrieved 2015-10-05.
  6. "Immersion - FAQ - Developer". Immersion.com. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  7. "Companies Redouble Efforts to Deliver Consistent Support, Compatibility Across Wide Range of Products". Microsoft PressPass. February 3, 1999. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  8. "Microsoft and Immersion Collaborate To Advance Feel-Simulation Technologies". Microsoft PressPass. August 5, 1999. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  9. Elinson, Zusha (October 13, 2008). "Former GC Reflects on Time Immersed in IP Battles". The Recorder. San Francisco: ALM. Retrieved 2010-09-03. Observers say Immersion's era of aggressive litigation and licensing was a success. In defending its patents on "haptic" technology for applying touch sensation and control to computer programs, the company beat Sony, got money out of Microsoft, and has signed up medical, car and cell phone companies for patent licenses.
  10. Mundy, Jon (February 12, 2016). "Apple being sued for familiar vibrations". Trusted Reviews. Retrieved 2016-02-13. Apple is facing legal action from haptic feedback technology company Immersion.
  11. Dornbrush, Jonathan (13 January 2017). "Nintendo Switch Touchscreen Technology Powered By Immersion Corporation". IGN. Retrieved 13 January 2017.


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