More of Nintendo’s patent filings have come to light, revealing some truly brave experimentation.
This first patent was filed by NCL group chief Kazutoshi Obana. This patent demonstrates variable haptic feedback on touch controls. Our source speculates that vibration from this tech could be use to compensate for the physical feedback players would otherwise receive from touching and recognizing traditional button / d-pad / analog controls.
The picture also clearly shows the player using two hands, which seems to be an indication the screen allows for multitouch. Now, this aspect isn’t covered in the patent, but Nintendo has been using resistive singe touch input touchscreens on their game consoles since the DS. Observers have criticized this choice, over using mobile standard, finger friendly capacitive screens. However, it is possible to make multitouch resistive touchscreens.
The second patent was filed by Fumihiko Inoue, a hardware engineer in Nintendo’s R&D department. This patent shows a controller, similar to the GamePad with buttons and a touchscreen. The patented section, however, is for four outward facing image sensors, AKA some image sensors located on each of the four sides of the controller. These sensors can sense movement and objects surrounding the device. It can even detect a pulse, which brings to mind the Vitality Sensor tech.
As a quick review, last year saw a patent for a stereoscopic 3D eye tracking tech, which seems very similar to Kinect. Most recently, there was a patent for a power efficient console which lacks an optical drive, and clickable scrolling shoulder wheels.
Of course, Nintendo may use some or all of this tech for their next console, and some of them may also be used on QOL.
What do you make of all these wonderfully crazy patents? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.