US 6368268: used in troll attack?

Simply for humor, see the Ars Technica post titled
“Teledildonics” patent troll backs down from lawsuit against Kickstarter

The title of the patent in question is -- Method and device for interactive virtual control of sexual aids using digital computer networks --, which is US 6368268 .

The prosecuting law firm was Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP.

The first listed "Other reference" is FUFME, Fuck U Fuck Me Product Info, 1999 .

The first claim is to a "system":


A stimulation system comprising:

a display device;

a user interface connected to said display device, said user interface causing an image to be displayed on said display device and outputting a control signal; and,

a stimulation device receiving the control signal from the user interface, said stimulation device imparting stimulation to the user in response to the control signal.



The novelty is asserted to be in remote control; from the specification:


Nonetheless, these prior art devices all have the disadvantage that the operator must be in close proximity to the recipient. Medical communication systems are known that enable medical personnel located at a central station to monitor devices located at a patient via computer control over an existing telephone network. Medical communications systems are shown, for instance, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,462,051, 5,544,649 and 5,467,773 to Oka et al., David et al., and Bergelson et al., respectively. However, these medical communication systems are not readily suitable for use for sexual stimulation aids. Thus, no system enables an operator to control a stimulation aid from a location remote from the recipient.


Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a system that permits an operator to have interactive control of a sexual aid used to stimulate a recipient that is remotely located from the operator.