Tag: Patents - Page 2
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 You'll Now Be Able To Play Mini-Games During Loading Times
Bandai Namco's "Ridge Racer" patent has expired
Once upon a time, consoles were sold on the fact that they loaded software instantly without the waiting times associated with formats that used tapes, floppies or sluggish CD drives, but these days that distinction has all but vanished, with some next-gen releases making players stare at...
News Fresh Nintendo Patent Shows Handheld Device With "Outward-Facing Linear Image Sensors"
Toy scanning and pulse detection included
We recently reported on two patents which - given the hype surrounding Nintendo's next console, the Nintendo NX - have understandably triggered quite a bit of interest. The first involved clickable, shoulder-placed scroll wheels while the second was related to
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 Renews Patent On Multi-Platform Game Boy Emulation, But Don't Get Too Excited
Unlikely that official games will be on your iPhone any time soon
Patents are funny things. Every new product needs them, but there are countless patents filed every year which never get used for anything productive. Take Nintendo's patent for
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 Philips Secures Wii Patent Victory Over Nintendo in the UK
Nintendo to appeal, may affect similar claims in other countries
Not too long ago we reported on a Philips patent claim against Nintendo related to Wii technology, specifically with regards to recognising hand gestures and motion. It's not the first such claim against the Wii in this regard, of course, but is certainly significant considering the...
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 Philips Claims Wii And Wii U Infringe Two Of Its Patents, Seeks Ban In The United States
Dutch electronics giant seeking compensation package, too
Dutch electronics manufacturer Philips is claiming that the Nintendo Wii and Wii U systems infringe on two of its patents — one of which dates back to 1996. According to Dutch site NU, Philips has submitted documents in the United States which call for a ban on selling both systems in that...
News Nintendo Involved In Patent Dispute Over Wii U's Dual Screen Capabilities
It's that time again
Nintendo is no stranger to patent cases, and it has been revealed that the company is involved in yet another — this time relating to the Wii U's selling point: its ability to display two screens at once. Nintendo Co. Ltd., Nintendo of America, Inc. and several other companies — including retailers who sell the system in...
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 Dallas Tech Company iLife Thinks Nintendo Stole Its Idea For Motion Control
Federal lawsuit has been filed by the firm
A Dallas-based technology company has filed a federal lawsuit against Nintendo claiming that the Japanese video game manufacturer has violated six of its patents by including motion-sensing tech in its Wii and Wii U consoles. iLife Technologies and Solutions — which claims to invent "innovative...
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...
News 3DS Patent Can Tell When You've Returned Home
Not as creepy as it sounds
Back to the Future Part II's vision of 2015 was an intelligent house that greeted people as they walked in. "Welcome home, Marty!" it would say. "Lord of the manor, King of the castle!" Well, this new patent application from Nintendo might lead to that mythical home of the increasingly-near future. The patent shows a...
News 3DS Patent Covers Vibrating Stylus, New Kinds of Control
The plot thickens
Nintendo's filed a patent for a new kind of input on 3DS — one that requires no physical contact with the console at all. The application uses the 3DS console's inner-facing camera along with a stylus to manipulate 3D images on the top screen without the need for buttons, touch screen or moving the console. The inward-facing...
News Colour-Based AR Patent is Hot Stuff
You'll see what we mean
The augmented reality games bundled with the 3DS are all well and good, but many of you want more. Nintendo's applied for a patent on a new colour-based AR concept that would make a very welcome addition to the system's AR suite. The document refers to using colour to influence the game world, giving several intriguing...
News Nintendo Patent Reveals Wii U and Remote Interactivity
Drag and drop
So far a lot of the Wii U video and technology has focused on how one player will use the Wii U controller and others will use Wii Remotes, but a new patent shows the potential for a single player using both controllers together. The patent outlines how a player could use the Wii Remote to interact with both the TV and Wii U...
News Nintendo Patents 'Ornamental Design' for 3DS Circle Pad
It's so pretty
One of the first things we noticed when Satoru Iwata stood on stage at E3 2010 with a 3DS was the Circle Pad. Some called it a slider pad, others opted for analogue stick: whatever name you chose, it ultimately meant that Nintendo was giving us analogue control in its shiny new handheld. It's since given us the Circle Pad Pro to...
News Nintendo Applies for Patent on Wii U Golf Tech
Taking a swing
Remember Nintendo's bold new vision for sports games on Wii U, shown off at E3 last year? It's dead serious about making it a reality, applying for a patent on its concept for golf. The patent pertains to using the new controller on the ground to see the lie of the ball, but it goes into more detail, revealing it's possible to 'miss'...
Rumour This is Wii U's Controller Charging Dock
Looks the part
Wii U's controller will come with a built-in rechargeable battery, so naturally Nintendo will provide a means of charging it with the console. It may not be as boring as a cable though: it could be an immensely exciting cradle. NeoGAF user Aostia claims to have unearthed a patent showing off a charging dock for the controller, which...
News U.S. Patent Cites Wii U as "Universal Remote Controller"
What else could it do?
THQ's Danny Bilson wasn't kidding when he called the Wii U controller the "Swiss army knife of video game controllers." Touch screen, game streaming, motion control and near-field communication technology is all well and good, but the latest rumour points to the pad controlling more than just the Wii U console. A...
News Nintendo: "We Refuse to Succumb to Patent Trolls"
Wii Fit patent case dismissed
Rick Flamm, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of Legal & General Counsel, has spoken out against "patent trolls" after winning a third litigation case this year. Californian firm IA Labs claimed that the Wii Balance Board and Wii Fit software infringed on U.S. Patent No. 7,121,982. IA Labs'...
News Nintendo Patents Touch Pad for Wii Remote
But to what end?
We've seen plenty of Wii controller patents in the past, not all of which saw the light of day — remember the inflatable horse and American football? Now the company's put out a patent for a Wii Remote touch-sensitive pad, as spotted by
Feature Wii Controllers - What Could Have Been
Wii never knew...
Part of our mission at Nintendo Life is to highlight parts of the gaming world that were previously unknown. To that end, our experienced researchers have been rooting around the archives of Wii history and discovered the original patent application for the Wii Remote. Reading patent documentation isn’t the most stimulating of...
News Wii U Controller Patent Reveals Interesting Features
Fingers crossed for a mini George Foreman grill
At this stage in the game, Nintendo has officially revealed relatively little about the specifics behind the upcoming Wii U and its controller technology. Apart from the standard features one would come to expect from any brand of console controller, we know the Wii U's will also sport a 6.2-inch touch...
News Nintendo Said Unto the Patent Office: Let There Be Wii Light
Another wacky peripheral gets uncovered
Nintendo's always been one for experimenting with peripheral accessories designed to boost the functionality of its hardware. From football controllers, to inflatable horseback saddles, Nintendo's patented them all. A recent uncovering by Siliconera
News New Patents Reveal Balance Board Motorcycle Game
New patents unearthed
It's been a while since we saw a Nintendo-published game that uses the Balance Board, surprising considering the number of boards sat in living rooms around the world, but a new patent filing has revealed a motorcycle game could be in the works at Nintendo Software Technology. The application shows a first-person motorcycle...
News The DS Isn't Just for Gaming, It Can Help With Shopping Too
Turning visits to the supermarket into a real-time strategy game
What makes technology so marvelous is the multitude of tasks we can get a single piece of hardware to do. Single women (and men, we suppose) can probably find more than one use for an electric toothbrush, drivers prone to getting lost can use their phone to make calls as well as...
News Vitality Sensor Details and Game Ideas Emerge in Patent Application
It's all about haemoglobin, apparently
E3 2010, TGS 2010 and Nintendo's Conference all came and went without even so much as a snifter of new information about the Vitality Sensor. Although Nintendo is still keeping the device behind closed doors, Siliconera has uncovered patent applications that reveal more about how the sensor works as well as its...
News Nintendo Files Patent for Wii Hard Drive
But to what end?
Mysterious patents, electronic goods and the Internet can often be a volatile combination, so take this latest application as you will. Nintendo has recently filed for a patent that offers the ability to install Wii games to a hard drive, though there's little information available as to its wider applications. Certain retailers...
