Tag: Patent
News Nintendo Files Patent To Combat Online Cheating And Software Modification
"Such cheating is egregiously prevalent"
Nintendo is always filing patents for all sorts of ideas, but they don't always see the light of day. This latest one might be a bit different though. This new one will target cheaters by attempting to identify any software modifications. This would be achieved by implementing an attestation program that...
News Nintendo Files In-Game Clothing Patent To Help Keep Your Characters Warm
By Breath of the Wild's tech supervisor
When we usually report on patents, it's for controller designs, new hardware, and sometimes even tweaks and modes for a specific game. Today, we've discovered that Nintendo has filed something that's related to the last thing, but will actually help streamline game development for all of their IPs on Switch...
News Nintendo Files New Patent Seemingly Linked To Splatoon
Aiming to "better mini-maps"
Nintendo is always experimenting with ideas and patents are a very important part of this process. Sometimes it will file something to do with hardware and other times it's more focused on gameplay experiences. On this occasion, it's about the gameplay side of things - with the latest filing apparently focused on...
News Nintendo Sneakily Filed A New Controller Patent Last Year
One day it'll be for a new Power Glove
Nintendo is definitely one of the more secretive companies in the video game industry, but it's also one of the biggest innovators when it comes to technology, too. So leave it to a small discovery to get people's tongues wagging. One Twitter user has discovered a patent that Nintendo made made in July last...
News Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2 Gameplay Concepts Revealed In Nintendo Patents
Back to the E3 trailer we go
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, which will undoubtedly get a much cooler name from Nintendo when the time is right, made a star appearance in this year's online-only E3. The trailer above made clear that it'll be an ambitious follow-up to the much-loved original, with Link seen up in the skies and doing all...
News Patent Reveals Nintendo Is Working On Upscaling Technology
Just made public, the patent was first placed in March 2020
Patents are always a rather intriguing thing to track in the technology industry - sometimes they represent ideas and products that'll never see the light of day, but there are occasions when they give clues to future releases. A freshly released US patent application could be the latter,...
News Nintendo Demands More Damages In Colopl Lawsuit, Now Suing For A Cool $47 Million
White Cat Project developer is accused of infringing six patents
You may recall that back in 2018, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against mobile games developer Colopl for around 4.4 billion yen ($41.7 million). It's not going away anytime soon – having entered multiple hearings – and now, Nintendo has raised that figure to 4.95 billion yen ($46.9...
News Nintendo's Latest Patent Protects IC Tags Within Soft Toys
Like plush amiibo
Nintendo recently filed a patent that intends to prevent damage to IC tags within soft toys. As weird as this may sound, it seems to actually refer to the NFC feature contained within plush amiibo. One example of this is the Yarn Yoshi amiibo which was released in 2015. A similar patent dating back to 31st March of the same year...
Much-needed clarification
When Japanese mobile developer, Colopl, announced a new White Cat Project game (also known as Shiro Neko Project) for the Switch last week during its 4th anniversary live stream, there was widespread confusion as to how it even got the go-ahead. At the start of this year in January, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against this...
News Nintendo Ordered to Pay $10 Million Following Patent Lawsuit Loss
Nintendo confirms intent to appeal
The technology behind the Wii went through plenty of patent lawsuits with Nintendo winning the majority of reported cases, though a looming loss to Philips back in 2014 led to the signing of a global patent license agreement. That was related to motion technology in the Wii Remote, and now Nintendo has lost in an...
News Nintendo Patents an Innovative Projector for Displaying Flat Images on Uneven Surfaces
A potentially lucrative product, but maybe not for the mainstream yet
Some of Nintendo's most intriguing ideas can be found in patents; indeed it's through filings that potential glimpses at the NX have been seen. We don't think this particular patent is NX related, as such, but it's an indication of Nintendo's ongoing interest in adopting and...
Yet another interesting design
With each passing week we get closer to the official reveal of the Nintendo NX, and recent reports have brought to mind the prospect of a portable with multiple and interesting control options. Some interpretations point to detachable controllers, and a recently released patent filed earlier in the year gave an...
News Patent Reinforces the Prospect of Nintendo NX Having a Portable Handset
Application focuses on sound and vibration technology
Throughout the course of 2015 Nintendo filed multiple patents that reinforce a widely held belief - that Nintendo NX will have a portable / handheld component in addition to being a 'home console'. We already know, based on game announcements such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and...
News Nintendo Defeats Yet Another Patent Claim Against the Wii Remote
Motion Games loses its appeal
The Wii utilised common technology in clever ways and sold over 100 million units - that's the perfect combination to prompt a whole lot of patent-related court cases. Nintendo has successfully defeated the majority of patent claims against it in recent years, and has now confirmed the end of another case. This time...
News A 15 Year Old Patent Shows A Nintendo Phone That Never Was
Game Boy titles were seemingly considered
With Nintendo and DeNA actively working on multiple phone apps, and with the big N having a financial interest in the likes of Pokémon Go, the concept of the company's games on mobile devices is no longer fanciful. The company has also filed multiple patents over the years for emulators and actual...
News Nintendo Reportedly Secures Victory over Tomita Technologies in 3DS Patent Row
Therefore avoids potentially costly penalties
Update: Nintendo of America has issued a statement confirmed the company's success in this patent case - Ajay Singh, Nintendo of America's Director of Litigation and Compliance, is quoted as follows. We are very pleased with the court's finding that Nintendo does not infringe. Nintendo has a long...
News This Nintendo Patent for a U-Shaped Fitness Controller is Actually Cool
No-one will buy it, but still
Ah, patents, the source of much intrigue and occasional hand-wringing. Occasionally they're also rather entertaining, and if a recently discovered U-shaped Nintendo patent became an actual product we'd be more than happy to make fun of it while admiring its ingenuity. You can see it below, and it's actually a...
News Nintendo's 'Supplemental Computing Device' Patent is Cleared for Completion
A look towards the future?
There have been quite a number of patents from Nintendo in the past couple of years that have prompted conversations around the form of the company's 'next generation' hardware. Though attention often shifts to potential controllers and similar examples, one of the company's most intriguing patent applications seems to be...
News Nintendo Files a New Patent for a Fancy Object Detection Device
Potentially used as a controller, projector, or something else
The wizardry taking place behind closed doors at Nintendo R&D is something that's endlessly fascinating, as the company continually experiments with new and exciting ways to play. Of course, not all of this makes it into stages of production – looking at you inflatable Wii saddle...
News Nintendo Handheld Patent Focuses on Infrared and Gesture Recognition Technology
Pitching in with a fresh control concept
As we get ever closer to Nintendo lifting the lid on its NX hardware this year, patent applications are naturally a focus as we explore the areas of technology that the company has been exploring. Past examples that have been of interest have included a cloud-based computational device and an intriguing...
News Nintendo Finalises Wii Patent Win Over UltimatePointer
"Nintendo will vigorously defend itself" and so on...
We think it's fair to say that a decent percentage of patent claims filed in the US could best be described as being in 'bad faith'. Though Nintendo has lost a small number of notable cases, being forced into payments or shared royalties, it wins the majority of patent cases launched against its...
News Nintendo Wins Bizarre Patent Case in Defence of Mii Characters
It was claimed it infringed patent for police sketch-artist data
Nintendo battles its share of patent cases in the courts; some are serious challenges against major companies, and the big N has even lost a few over the years. A lot of the time, however, it sees off claims from smaller companies, particularly those that seemingly take ownership of...
News Fascinating Patent Shows Nintendo Portable Utilising Free-Form Screen Technology
First rumours of 2016 production emerged in late 2014
With the Nintendo NX hardware due to be revealed in 2016, the web's going into overdrive looking for clues and pointers to the hardware's form. A recent spot highlighted an intriguing 'supplemental computing device' that would use the Cloud for processing; now we see the return of 'free-form'...
Concept ties into speculation around NX and My Nintendo accounts
The Nintendo NX - a name that will likely change - will remain a mystery until Nintendo unveils it in 2016, yet a combination of logic and speculation have allowed a partial picture to form. Just recently Tatsumi Kimishima commented that it's "something unique and different" from the...
News Haptic Feedback Patent Could Hint At Full Touchscreen Interface On NX
You've got the touch
Yesterday we brought you the intriguing news of a Nintendo controller patent which featured rotational shoulder buttons. As we said these patents are not all destined to see the light of day, but nevertheless they do provide an interesting insight into what the creative minds at Nintendo are considering as features for the...
News New Nintendo Controller Patent Features Rotational Shoulder Buttons
Like a mousewheel but better?
We all know the deal with patents by now - they're fascinating, can point the way towards exciting ideas for the future, but can also be rather random. Nintendo - and others - sometimes throw ideas at a wall, patent the decent ones, and actually develop a small handful. A new patent doing the rounds today does have a...
News New Patent Sparks Talk of Potential NX Details
Points to console with no in-built optical disc drive
It can often be the case that patents point to way to what's on the way or, potentially, ideas that go unfulfilled. A recent patent spotted on NeoGaf does give some cause for great intrigue, seemingly outlining a concept for console hardware; considering the timing, the phrase 'NX' is naturally...
News Nintendo Wraps Up Another Patent Win in Defence of the DS and 3DS
Secure Axcess loses out this time
Nintendo doesn't have a 100% record of winning patent cases, but it does win the majority. It often comfortably sees off particularly frivolous claims on broad technology patents, too - notable defeats have generally come against companies with which Nintendo has previously worked or liaised, not businesses that...
News Nintendo Wins Patent Battle Over Wii Balance Board
Its legal body was ready
Nintendo struck gold with the Wii, combining inexpensive technology with a motion controlled gaming hook that tens of millions of gamers found irresistible. That use of technology and the ludicrous profits it made naturally got the attention of other companies, however, with the home console and its accessories fighting a...
News Nintendo Points the Way With Another Wii-Related Patent Win
Long live waggle!
In recent days Nintendo secured a patent win over Creative Kingdoms in a case related to the Wii Remote, and it's now announced another favourable result in its defence of the innovative controller. In a press release issued by Nintendo of America, it's confirmed that a case with UltimatePointer over the Remote has been found in...
News Nintendo Secures Second Patent Win Over Creative Kingdoms
Hopefully that will be that
Nintendo faces plenty of patent challenges in the courts, the majority of which it wins. The Wii and its Remote have been targeted a great deal, in particular, and last year it saw off a challenge from Creative Kingdoms, a "theme park operator" that was claiming the Wii Remote infringed on the patent for it 'magic wand'...
News Nintendo Appeal Takes Tomita Technologies 3DS Patent Case Back to Court
And on it goes...
At the start of this year we reported that Nintendo was ordered to pay 3DS royalties to Tomita Technologies, having lost a patent trial related to the portable. The big N was accused of utilising patented stereoscopic 3D technology — particularly in the handheld's cameras — without permission; Nintendo had countered that it had...
Averts threat of Wii U ban in the US, particularly
Nintendo is well accustomed to tackling legal battles around the world, particularly patent disputes that have been prominent since the phenomenal success of the Wii and DS. While Nintendo comes out on the winning side in most cases, it lost a notable case to Seijiro Tomita over the 3DS, and has...
News Nintendo Patent Hints at Pokémon Standalone Console With NFC Support
Super Effective at emptying bank accounts?
Nintendo is a company, due to its focus on creativity in recent generations, that registers plenty of patents for potential products. While they may not all become a reality, they give a fascinating insight into current priorities and concepts that are doing the rounds within the big N's Kyoto HQ. An...
News Nintendo Files Patent for "Eye Tracking" Device to Enable 3D Experiences on 2D Displays
Also proposes enhanced experiences through smell, temperature and light
Nintendo may have submitted some rather peculiar patent applications in the past, but the most recent may have some foundation in reality, indicating a potential move into Virtual Reality for the company. It proposes a wearable device — potentially glasses — that is detected...
News Appeals Court Upholds Nintendo MotionPlus Win Over "Patent Troll"
Nintendo serves up a low-blow with extra MotionPlus accuracy
Nintendo has a busy legal team, as its innovative or quirky controllers and accessories are consistently challenged in patent disputes. The big N wins these arguments most of the time, and likes to point it out when it does, this time seeing off an appeal to a court victory from early...
News Fresh Nintendo Wii U Patent Looks Like a Wii Music Game
At least a potential E3 reveal won't be a live demonstation
It seems that today is a day of potential E3 leaks, and this one will likely divide Nintendo gamers. We're aware that some of the Nintendo Life community enjoyed Wii Music, so this writer will restrict expressing his feelings of trepidation and fear at this possible reveal — the lead...
News Nintendo Overcomes Patent Dispute With Non-Practicing Entity
Five year fight finally comes to a close
Way back in February 2009, Wall Wireless LLC – a company whose primary focus is to enforce patents – took Nintendo to court claiming that it had infringed a patent with the DS and DSi hardware systems. Finally, however, after the United States Patent and Trademark Office cancelled all of the patent claims...
News Nintendo Wins Microprocessor Patent Dispute Over 3DS and DSi
More success for the legal team
Nintendo has endured its fair share of patent battles in recent years, with the Wii and DS in particular kicking off a range of proceedings against the company. Nintendo has prevailed the majority of times, with a rare blot in the form of a defeat to Tomita Technologies USA over the 3D camera functionality of the 3DS...
Feature The Weird and Wonderful World of Nintendo Patents
Because gaming needs more wackiness
Nintendo is well known for pushing new ideas, often utilising established technology to broaden our horizons and shake up gaming experiences. The Wii Remote may have used well-worn technology in innovative ways to prompt a motion-control craze, yet it wasn't received with universal rapture before the Wii launched...
News Nintendo Patented an "Illumination Device" for Gaming Use
A little mood lighting, perhaps?
Nintendo has proven itself a company willing to buck standard conventions and try out new concepts. Some ideas, such as dual screens and motion controls, become a solid entry into gaming culture. Others may never leave the drawing board. A Nintendo patent that was filed in September 2010 and widely spotted today...
News Nintendo Obtains IA Labs Patent Portfolio Following Lawsuit Win
Balance board technology weighed in
Nintendo is often engaged in multiple patent disputes, in various cases surviving the challenges though — in notable examples such as the recent case against Tomita Technologies USA — can occasionally come out on the wrong side. Nintendo does have another success to report, however, with progress in the case...
News Nintendo Ordered to Pay Royalties on 3DS Sales For Patent Infringement
1.82% of the wholesale price
Last year we told you about the ongoing patent dispute between Nintendo and Seijiro Tomita of Tomita Technologies USA. The case dated back to 2011, with Tomita arguing that the use of glasses-free 3D — in particular the 3D camera option — utilised his patented technology. Tomita had presented this technology to...
News Nintendo Cleared in Wii Patent Dispute With Creative Kingdoms
It threatened the U.S. import of Wii systems
Nintendo has to regularly defend itself in patent disputes, winning in many cases with the occasional exception. While the 3DS screen technology loss to Tomita Technologies USA could cost Nintendo $15.1 million, other cases have the potential to prevent imports of Nintendo systems to major territories —...
News Nintendo's $30.2 Million 3DS Patent Infringement Fine Halved
Claimant told to take it or risk losing it all
A U.S. judge declared on Wednesday that inventor Seijiro Tomita of Tomita Technologies USA should take $15.1 million in damages from Nintendo or risk losing it all in a new damages trial; this was half of what was previously awarded. In the hearing, Nintendo was accused of infringing on a patent for...
News Nintendo Wins Another Patent Battle, This Time Over MotionPlus
That legal team is on fire
Nintendo faces its fair share of patent battles, which in most cases — not all, with a notable loss on 3DS screen technology — go the Kyoto company's way. Plenty of these disputes focus on the Wii and its various peripherals, which is more than likely due to the console's phenomenal sales success and its various...
News Nintendo Succeeds in Wii Fit Balance Board Patent Appeal
Original decision in the company's favour is upheld
Nintendo, and particularly the Wii, have faced a number of patent challenges in recent years. In most cases Nintendo has emerged as the victor, with a loss on the 3DS screen technology being a rare blip. The big N has faced challenges to its Wii Remote, in particular, and various devices and gizmos...
News Nintendo Files New "Remotely Controlled Mobile Device Control System" Patent
One of its more wacky patents
It seems to have been brought to light that Nintendo has been given the thumbs up on a new patent — the idea of a "remotely controlled mobile device control system". The patent was filed back in June 2011, and has only just been approved. As you can see from the image, the Wii Remote is placed inside the remote...
News Nintendo Facing Lawsuit Over 3D Technology On The 3DS
Major brawl in the courtroom
Japanese inventor Seijiro Tomita is suing Nintendo over claims that he invented the 3D screen technology that the company is now using in its 3DS handheld system. The investigation into the claim began in 2011, when he sued Nintendo and its U.S. unit. According to Tomita's attorney, Joe Diamante, he displayed a...
