A few more extra bits reading a bit more of the patent itself.
1. The IR camera on the right joycon doesn't appear to be about WiiMote pointer controls. No reason why it can't do that but they're not talking about it in the patent. Instead they're talking about hand gesture recognition. Also that a different version of this device could have a full colour camera instead
2. They talk about the fact that the wireless connectivity on the base unit is WiFi. But it could also be a mobile connection. That doesn't mean that SKU will exist but they have obviously considered it as an option
3. The Switch outputs a DisplayPort signal which is then converted to HDMI in the dock. Which will make the dock a little bit more expensive than if it was using the HDMI alternate mode for USB Type C. But it also means the USB ports won't be 2.0.
4. The only processing in the dock other than the DisplayPort -> HDMI conversion is a USB hub.
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@Octane Heh, yeah I was just skimming through the patent a bit fast and noted what I though were features. Besides, I'm not sure how shoulder buttons would work on detachable units...
Fun reading some of the discussion about this elsewhere. Purely because people seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick. For example this wall of text here:
In other embodiments, the information processing system may use different communication methods for the communication with external devices via a network (e.g., the Internet) (in other words, may switch between different communication methods) in the portable mode and in the console mode. For example, consider a case in which a predetermined network connection device is connected to the cradle 5, the predetermined network connection device having a function of connecting to and communicating with the network. In such a case, in the portable mode, the information processing device 1 may communicate with the network using the network communication section 82. On the other hand, in the console mode, the information processing device 1 may communicate with the network via the cradle 5 and the network connection device.
Which IMO is not that hard to follow if you strip out the legalese. They're basically saying that the Switch can swap between a wired connection when docked over to a wireless connection when it's undocked. Kinda like how your laptop can swap over to WiFi when you pull out the Ethernet cable. Basically:
Docked: Switch -> Dock -> Wired Connection -> Internet
Undocked: Switch -> Wireless Connection -> Internet
I've seen one misreading of this where someone described it like this:
Docked: Switch -> Dock -> Wired Connection -> Internet
Undocked: Switch -> Wireless Connection -> Dock -> Wired Connection -> Internet
but the dock in the patent doesn't have that capability. It's just a USB Hub, charging dock and display adaptor
Odd how the Joy-cons have memory. I'm guessing it's something simple, like it remembering which devices its been connected to. It would be a shame if Joy-cons have to be locked and registered to devices via some kind of code, which would make them impossible to sell or share. (EDIT: you know, after looking at Fig. 42, this might actually be what this is)
Or maybe, my crazy idea from before was true, that we'll be able to upgrade our memory via Joy-cons instead of SD cards!
So there's essentially 4 sets of shoulder buttons on each Joy-Con. The normal shoulder button and trigger, and then another set of L and R shoulder buttons on the inside where they connect to the Switch. Excellent.
So yeah, when using one Joy-Con, you have two shoulder buttons, 4 face buttons, and the clickable stick. That's enough to be able to play Smash Bros actually (minus the C-Stick).
@IceClimbers You're talking about part 15, right? Where does it say they are actual buttons and are able to move? I believe they're nothing more than sliders that connect the Joy-Cons to the Switch.
@Vee_Flames@IceClimbers I stand corrected then. Looks like the ''shoulder buttons'' are embedded within the sliders (fig.6). They don't poke out, so I wonder how comfortable they will be...
@Octane Well, that's pretty good. And yay for me not being half asleep while skimming through the patent
Anyway, it's pretty nice that the Joy-Cons (MAY) have shoulder buttons. It makes it more viable as a decent controller, especially when Nintendo is also pushing for numerous controller options. It remains to be seen whether the elitists would actually use the Joy-Cons to play Melee or something, but it's a start... right?
@Nicolai
Remember that the WiiMote had some memory. It was intended to be used as a way to carry small amounts of data between consoles. So you never know with Nintendo.
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An opinion is only respectable if it can be defended. Respect people, not opinions
Based on these patents I think we have a fair idea why the Switch is the way it is. So here's a little mock conversation of how I think the Switch came about.
Nintendo Exec: "The Wii U is in real trouble, we need to turn this around with something new"
NVidia: "Hey guys, we have this cool SoC that we'd like someone to use for games"
Microsoft/Sony: "No thanks, we need more power"
Nintendo Exec: "That looks cool. With this we could have a 3DS successor AND solve the Wii U problem"
Nintendo Devs: "But what about all our Wii U games in development?"
Nintendo Exec: "Don't worry. We'll make it so that it has pretty much all of the Wii U's I/O"
Nintendo Devs: "Ok, but if this is a portable system what about the VC"
Nintendo Exec: "The sides detach and are also WiiMotes. That should be easy, right?"
Nintendo Hardware Dev: "........... ****"
Nintendo Exec: "Done"
Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
An opinion is only respectable if it can be defended. Respect people, not opinions
@KirbyTheVampire People have speculated this for ages, and I really, really doubt it will be the case. Nintendo have been saying for years that it's a Wii U title, and we've even seen it running on the Wii U all times but one. It makes no sense for them to suddenly drop the Wii U version.
@Whitewatermoose Laura basically said she was done leaking things. Leaks can only happen when the messenger has access to information. In her case, she had sources connected to Ubisoft and NoE, so she wouldn't have info regarding companies like Bandai Namco or Warner Bros.
The Wii U version of Breath of the Wild being cancelled coming up as a rumor was inevitable lol. Easy way to get attention and get a bunch of Nintendo fans riled up.
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