LegendofLex
Member
I don't think you even need a physical off switch, as long as the device it's connected to can recognize that the controller doesn't need to be connected via Bluetooth anymore and can kill it.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Nintendo Patent Application - Accessory and Information Processing System
- Thread starter Disorientator
- Start date
I don't think you even need a physical off switch, as long as the device it's connected to can recognize that the controller doesn't need to be connected via Bluetooth anymore and can kill it.
Exceptions to the rule, mainly because nunchucks were bundled and eventually every remote had motion plus built in (and a couple games that required it had the accessory or the remote bundled with it - sports resort, skyward sword, fling smash, etc).
They got extra TLC from nintendo unlike most other peripherals.
Clip-on buttons are too complex?
Plug and play is too complex?
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
It's plug-n-play. The consumer doesn't need to know how it works, just that it does.
Skittzo0413
Member
This is definitely possible too, but the way that the title and description refer to accessories and attachments make me think of extra optional attachments.
But yeah if they want to use it this makes sense for the main controllers too.
I mean all the talk about image projection, and other suff from the patent.
WhateverItTakes
Banned
GPS receiver... Would this link to people's phones to get a signal or be all on the device?
Tell me if I'm crazy, but what if, Nintendo make the portable device always online? Nothing taxing, just at the level of mobile apps. There wouldn't be a subscription, instead a lot of microtransactions in some of the games that cover the network costs overall.
Man a couple cider cans and I'm already spouting crap 😌
Tell me if I'm crazy, but what if, Nintendo make the portable device always online? Nothing taxing, just at the level of mobile apps. There wouldn't be a subscription, instead a lot of microtransactions in some of the games that cover the network costs overall.
Man a couple cider cans and I'm already spouting crap 😌
Graphics Horse
Member
Depends what was method the recognition process is! I thought it demonstrated what I was saying better, it might not need a physical off switch but just means zero power drain instead of tiny power drain.
Pack it up LEGO, you're too complex for the average consumer.
Nintendo has had two very similar/related patents in real time. One was the puck which showed you docking a phone and projecting an image and the other was a tablet with IR sensors on the side which showed detection or orientation and could interact with physical objects(it looked like a mouse amiibo). I'll see if I can find them.
Also projection and IR scanner would allow Nintendo to do touch controls on a home console without a second screen potentially.
EDIT:
Puck thread
Tablet with sensors thread
Also projection and IR scanner would allow Nintendo to do touch controls on a home console without a second screen potentially.
EDIT:
Puck thread
Tablet with sensors thread
Some of you are clearly not electrical engineers or involved in fields from which you can appreciate the ingenuity involved here.
I think the device could be pretty awesome and that we're probably still missing some key elements to the platform.
September is looking like the time of reveal. Hold on just a bit longer!
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
There may even be NX certified devices for existing non-Nintendo hardware.
TyMiles2012
Member
I can only imagine, if theres a portable touch screen form factor, Blizzard should totally port Hearthstone to this thing for launch
Otakumegane
Member
As a budding electrical engineer I'm practically kicking myself on how well thought out this could be at saving costs. This could be the thing they wanted to hide levels of disbelief.
OrbitalBeard
Member
Codename.
I'm plugging my own article here, but I spent some time digging through these patents thanks to this thread and have put together a pretty comprehensive overview of what (I think) it all means:
http://www.n-sider.com/blog/2016/08/nintendos-nx-could-be-a-super-game-watch
http://www.n-sider.com/blog/2016/08/nintendos-nx-could-be-a-super-game-watch
Consumers dont need to read long complex and boring patent application but just turn the device in and play.
Wii patent application were complex too but man if the wiimote wasnt immediate
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
I wonder when detaching the controller if you could rotate the device sideway and plug it in again so you can play in portrait style
I believe it could be possible if they wanted to! From the patent:
What about this:
Nobody is talking about it, but what could this mean?
Something like this?
...That is really cool to think about! Pico projectors are getting cheaper and cheaper!
Exactly! There are a lot of configurations!
Attachment to an attachment to a portable device even!
Circle Pad Pro?
It sounds like the Eurogamer article but the details seem to contradict what Eurogamer said about 2 player input and doesn't even seem like it would work for 1 player docked play like some speculated.
This might be what Nintendo mentioned about creating a controller shell for mobile and if this is what Eurogamer's info comes from, it makes me doubt their NX info even more about detachable controllers.
I could imagine Nintendo getting traditional games on mobile and needing an attachment for that.
It sounds like the Eurogamer article but the details seem to contradict what Eurogamer said about 2 player input and doesn't even seem like it would work for 1 player docked play like some speculated.
This might be what Nintendo mentioned about creating a controller shell for mobile and if this is what Eurogamer's info comes from, it makes me doubt their NX info even more about detachable controllers.
I could imagine Nintendo getting traditional games on mobile and needing an attachment for that.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
Who?
Game and Walk
Hey, this mock up would work with this, I'd think
You'd only have to include 2 batteries instead of 3
Edit: forgot to source it http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1256487
I like this!!
Now Hurry the fuck up Nintendo and announce this thing!
Disorientator
Member
OrbitalBeard
Member
So I'll be playing Breath of the Wild on my iPhone next March?
Indeed this is a genius way to cut costs AND reduce exposed circuitry or ports which is very important for something that seemingly can be removed on a whim and fast/easily put back. Moreover, depending on the integration of the mirrors/dummy switches for the IR you could even incorporate analog controls into this based on %-radiation or %-distribution of the light cone of the sensor. The proximity would make this have identical latency to just copper wire as well, if not better since the only negotiation is "the speed of light" and a processing unit which is no different from a standard board processing unit to understand a directional input, you've just replaced pure electronic signals with optoelectronics.
Also next to no battery drain on the control platform.
I'd hide the shit out of this until my patents were secured and my product was ready to go, haha. You can save a lot of money and energy expenditure with this move, allowing you to cut costs and invest your total power draw elsewhere.
UnemployedVillain
Member
So I guess it'll all come down to how the "processor center piece" costs. Whether that's just the tablet/screen or a block with sensors and radios to connect to the console. Either way, it's crazy that this could potentially allow a Wii U gamepad like interface for potentially cheaper
8-Bit Sunset
Banned
What about this:
Nobody is talking about it, but what could this mean?
Something like this?
The quality would be total garbage, making it a moot point.
Think of those shitty Chinese iPhone projectors you can buy off Ebay.
Also I pray to the gaming gods that it looks nothing like the monstrosity in this patent photo.
LegendofLex
Member
I think the trick will be devising a way to connect the controllers to the central device in a way that's really smooth and feels modern.
Please don't let it involve clamps.
You can easily use small latch pins or even neatly hidden magnets for this. Magnets give you a crisp snap and easy removal too.
No wonder Nintendo kept things hidden so much.
It needs to be sturdy enough not to disconnect or dislodge, clamps or something similar might be the only solution. Maybe a sliding insert. Usability beats smooth and modern.
Using only magnets would make it easy for the attachment to accidentally disconnect. I think going with something simple and reliable is the best option.
OrbitalBeard
Member
So, does this patent contradict Eurogamer's article in any way?
Does this really suggest it won't hook up to a television or is that just speculation?
Does this really suggest it won't hook up to a television or is that just speculation?
Agent Unknown
Member
Great read, makes sense. Used to read N-Sider all the time at one of my old jobs btw.
Agent Unknown
Member
This. Pretty brilliant stuff, really.
TyMiles2012
Member
I was actually just thinking about a sliding insert with a magnet at the entrance. So if you slid it down, the top of both parts would connect when the slider hits the bottom. Maybe a magnet release button to dislodge it.
LegendofLex
Member
It actually makes specific allowances for the attachments to possibly have electrical components (allowing them to theoretically operate independently) and connect to other devices besides the portable
(like...a TV dock, although that isn't specified - really, this could be abstracted to refer to pretty much anything)
blue_phazon
Member
Can someone give a summary of what this means?
I have trouble reading patents, and people are saying how amazing it is but I have no idea what it is
I have trouble reading patents, and people are saying how amazing it is but I have no idea what it is