Quasimotos reply

[Lilwolf]

After hearing that they are coming out with a pretty decent little encoder (with cool items like analog buttons)  I shot them an email... to find out if they would be a good start for those who like a bunch of consoles... plus some true arcade games.

Here was the reply... I was completely impressed with the runaround for why they answered no on a bunch.



Drake,

Thank you for your interest in Quasimoto. Here are the answers to your questions:

 

1)      we will not be selling parts for the controller. The controller is optimized for video game control, therefore, the use of the components (analog buttons, analog modules, etc.) is specialized and are best used in the circuit we have designed. For example, the analog action buttons have a certain output profile that is controlled by the integrated circuit and would be difficult to integrate well in a custom controller, ie, our buttons are not a simple switch.

<<  So I guess thats a no huh..  Too bad... I would have loved to see those analog buttons in vpinmame >>

2)      See above

3)      10k pots, a la video game specifications.

<< Wow... a la video games uses different specs then normal video games >>

4)      The Quasicon is basically a PS2, Dual Shock 2 controller. So to the extent the PS2 controller is compatible with PSone, then so is the Quasicon. This is a question whose answer lies in individual software titles on the PSOne. But Sony says it should be generally compatible.

<< I was really hoping that they would plug it in and say yes or no...  Are there really problems >>

5)      We really don

[RayB]

Why such a cynic, man? What you're not getting is that not all PSOne games work with the dual shock analog PS2 controller. Do you expect them to go out and buy every Ps1 game and test it out so they can provide you a compatibility list? PSone is a dead console. Why bother?

[1UP]

True, the PSone is ten years old.  A friggin decade, can you believe that?  Seems only yesterday when I bought my 3DO just before the PS came out.  Dang was I mad... 

[Lilwolf]

The cynical portion was really on the dreamcast reply and the reason its helping me not selling their items per piece...

The ps1 is something that a "If the game works with a standard ps2 controller" would have been fine.

It just seemed to me that they spend a long time not answering anything.... Or coming up with excuses instead of 'No, not at this time'

[paigeoliver]

From what I am reading the reply was largely cut and paste stuff, probably from a long list of standard responses. The 10K POTS part being the exception, since that would not be a common question.

[Arcadiac]

Lilwolf, out of sheer curiosity how much is the Quasicon?
I might wanna get one for my a la videogame system.
ARCADIAC!

[Lilwolf]

The prices for the full systems are on their site.

And one of their resellers is a few blocks from where I work.  I plan on swinging buy and checking it out... Not that I specifically will buy one...   But seemed that others might be interested.

Still a little annoyed that they wont sell the encoder + buttons..  That I would be interested in.

[dema]

Still a little annoyed that they wont sell the encoder + buttons..

[Arcadiac]

There is no information (that I could find) on their site regarding a price for the Quasicon itself, only the Quasicade.  They probably want to try to shift sales over to the full-size cabs that they sell through their retailers, no thanks!
I sent an email to see if I could get an answer to my question, will post it here for info purposes when they reply.
ARCADIAC!

[dema]

There is no information (that I could find) on their site regarding a price for the Quasicon itself, only the Quasicade.

[Arcadiac]

Response to my email:

Ron,

We have not been selling the QuasiCON separately from the arcade system
until recently and the website is due to be updated soon.  Thanks for
emailing your request.  The QuasiCON is $599 s/h included.  The QuasiCON is
universal to all game consoles for 'plug-and-play' ease.  If you are
interested, you may order it by emailing me.

Kind regards,
Jessica Fuller
Sales Director

YIKES!!   
Thanks, but no thanks!! 
ARCADIAC!

[Stingray]

Holy sweet mother of crap! $599? They must be insane if they think anyone will buy a control panel at that price.

-S

[Lilwolf]

After seeing one... I dont' believe they are completely off.  If they include all the connectors especially. 

I was thinking the 400-500 range... cost is probably about 300 - 350...

Like most things around here.. you can do it cheaper yourself.  But some people have more money then time..

I'm still a little annoyed that they have patented the analog button technology... so if I wanted 4 analog buttons, it will cost me 600 bucks.

[GGKoul]

People pay $500+ shipping for a Slik-Stik panel   So they'll sell those at $599 easily.

[1UP]

Don't forget that they have 4 analog sticks on each one.  This looks to be a custom made part.

Don't forget that there are other markets other than the BYO community.  People who have $4000-$5000 for a pool table aren't going to balk at a $600 controller, especially when it has features that no other controller has.

[GGKoul]

Don't forget that there are other markets other than the BYO community.

[dema]

Wow. I was hoping for something around $350.00. That's a lot of money to pay for the controls, but I understand the cost of the parts and their analog circuit board is expensive.

Not only that, but if I were to get one I'd probably be Johnny 5'ing (disassemble) the panel in favor of my own. I don't really care for the headset slot, and the lighted instruction panel isn't necessary. I don't know if it would be too difficult to alter it without destroying the panel, but that's what I'd likely do to make it work with my cabinet.

Unfortunately, for anyone who wants a good console interface with analog controls, this seems to be the only solution. The Ultimarc product doesn't handle L&R buttons for Xbox, if I'm correct, and many others have had problems hacking the analog controls.

[RayB]

They don't sell a 1 player version?
They should.

[u_rebelscum]

I'm still a little annoyed that they have patented the analog button technology... so if I wanted 4 analog buttons, it will cost me 600 bucks.

I don't know what's patented about it: ps2 controllers have "analog" buttons (4 levels IIRC), and xbox have 256 levels analog buttons.  Could be the interface, application of some (old) tech to something new, or whatever.

Not that windows is really designed for analog buttons, anyway.  To windows, buttons are digital, axes are analog, period.  (Even digital axes windows treats as analog.)  To be supported, an analog button would look like an axis to windows (or maybe a button and an axis). 

Hmm . . .  interesting that windows doesn't "analog buttons", but xbox does.

It still is disapointing they aren't selling the buttons and interface seperately, though.  The analog buttons could be used in PS2 & xbox as analog, as well as be used in mame.   

BTW, anybody know how many console games actually use the analog part of the buttons?

[dema]

Well today I actually saw the Quasicade up close and personal, at a local billiards retailer. If I did buy the QuasiCon I'd definitely be taking it apart and building my own panel. My fingers just didn't sit right on the buttons. The 7 buttons on the right needed to be sloped in the opposite direction, not like a V. I don't know what I'm going to do now, but if I were to buy it I'd be buying it for the interface and the parts, not the panel it comes in.

Just one man's opinion.

[RandyT]

I'm still a little annoyed that they have patented the analog button technology... so if I wanted 4 analog buttons, it will cost me 600 bucks.

I don't know what's patented about it: ps2 controllers have "analog" buttons (4 levels IIRC), and xbox have 256 levels analog buttons.  Could be the interface, application of some (old) tech to something new, or whatever.

A quick search at the USPTO doesn't bring up much.  Only a couple of fairly narrow (IMHO, IANAL) patent applications that don't seem to have anything to do with analog buttons.  But I may have missed one somewhere.

Where is it mentioned that there is a patent on these?  It might help me find it if I can see the context of the statement.

BTW, anybody know how many console games actually use the analog part of the buttons?

A lot of the racing type games seem to.  More pressure on the brake/accelerator button causes more intense braking/acceleration.  I've also seen a couple of platformer style games where pressing harder yields higher jumps.  But sometimes the differences are so subtle, it's hard to know if the feature is supported or not when in the midst of the action.


RandyT

[Patent Doc]

Randy T

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Where is it mentioned that there is a patent on these?  It might help me find it if I can see the context of the statement.


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At the heart of the Quasicade2 is the patented QuasiCON 2P Control System.  This was found on their website under the description of any of the controller...I'm quoting the description of Quasicade 2.  My bet is they confused patented with patent applied for (it happens..it shouldn't, but it does).

I also looked on the USPTO sight and only turned up
US Application Serial No. 09/781,069 and 10/719,033. I searched for Quasimoto as the assignee and Gerding as the inventor.

I don't agree that the claims are narrow, at least claim 1 isn't, but my bet is they will have to limit claim 1 to include other limitations (ex. claim .

[RandyT]

Randy T

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Where is it mentioned that there is a patent on these?  It might help me find it if I can see the context of the statement.


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At the heart of the Quasicade2 is the patented QuasiCON 2P Control System.  This was found on their website under the description of any of the controller...I'm quoting the description of Quasicade 2.  My bet is they confused patented with patent applied for (it happens..it shouldn't, but it does).

While I have your ear ....

Are there not legal ramifications to stating something is "patented" when in fact it isn't?  My understanding that using the term "patent pending" without having at least filed for a provisional is a punishable act.

Does this not also hold true when stating that something is "patented"? 

I don't agree that the claims are narrow, at least claim 1 isn't, but my bet is they will have to limit claim 1 to include other limitations (ex. claim .  The end result will be very narrow, and judging by the priority date, in 2001, things aren't going so well in examination land.

You are right.  In fact, that first claim is so broad I got confused on the meaning of "wherein", thinking to myself that the rest of the claims had to be part of the first.  That's why I'm not a lawyer

Given the amount of prior art, however, I agree that anything resulting from it would have to be pretty narrow in scope, and still no mention of analog buttons anywhere.

RandyT

[Patent Doc]

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Are there not legal ramifications to stating something is "patented" when in fact it isn't?  My understanding that using the term "patent pending" without having at least filed for a provisional is a punishable act.

Does this not also hold true when stating that something is "patented"? 

Yeah, it is a punishable act, but punishable by a $500 fine for each offense according to 35 USC 292.  Also, the statute reads that the false mark must be "for the purpose of deceiving the public."  I imagine its difficult to prove this intent.  Maybe I'm wrong and the intent aspect of the statute is waived so its a strict liability offense.  However, since the penalty is low it's generally not worth the effort.  Neverthe less, for those who are interested, 35 USC 292 says the fine for a successful prosecution is split with 50% going to the individual bringing suit.

Patent Doc