"Or have they reconfigured the essense of them into the new ones."
Industry wide, they've patented the NUNCHI platform best use of them...the kicker for NUNCHI....as business patents...the new patents do not have to implement the the prior IP...
There is no escape for infringers based on underpinning tech....be it proprietary or status quo methods.
They have the magic...all they need is the law on their side.
doni