I love finding out about gaming patents. They usually reveal some intriguing design for gaming devices and more importantly they reveal what’s been going on in the minds of console manufacturers. Thing is, not all patents make it from the filing stage all the way to the production line.

A few weeks ago, we heard that Nintendo was considering a stylus with force feedback. Now, however, a patent has popped up showing that Nintendo is also considering a DS-like handheld with built-in rumble. You can take a look at the designs after the break, and we can wonder if this is going to come standard in the 3DS…

MediaFire
via GoNintendo

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Apple is starting to realize that touch screen-only controls aren’t exactly one-size-fits-all for video games. As a result, they’ve gone ahead and patented several shells for an iPhone-like device that provide additional functionality for use with games and apps. Need rumble? Check. A directional pad and action buttons? Check. A clam-shell, dual screen display? Yep, that’s there, too.

Essentially, you would insert your Apple “portable electronic device” (or “iPhone”) into one of many different shells, in a similar manner to which you probably plug your iPhone or iPod into some handy iHome speakers. There’s a ton of interface potential here, especially for gaming. Given Nintendo’s love for both handheld gaming domination and marketing of countless controller accessories (think N64 and Wii), I’m surprised they haven’t rolled out something similar by now.

Patently Apple

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Gaming site Siliconera has unearthed a new Nintendo patent, hinting at something to come for the DS’ near future. These pictures are a little difficult to interpret if you don’t know what you’re looking at (which I barely do) but basically, as you see above, the patent includes plans for some kind of new cartridge–though for the DS or a new DS successor, no one knows.

However, the patent says “broken lines showing of an electronic game machine is for illustrative purposes only.” while Siliconera points out that the number of pins for the proposed design are the same as a standard DS cart. What could this mean?

Take a look and decide for yourself by perusing the patent image gallery below.

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[View with PicLens]

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Looking for a little more rumble in your Rabbids? A little shimmy in your Scribblenauts? That could become a reality. Nintendo has applied for a patent that incorporates rumble into your hand held experience, but not the way you think. Instead of feeling a tremor or vibration in the hand held system itself, the new method would send feedback to the player through the stylus. From the patent description:

A game apparatus includes an LCD, and a touch panel is placed on a top surface of the LCD. A player instructs an enemy character displayed on the LCD by use of a stick to attack the enemy character. For example, in a case that the enemy character exists at a depth of a game screen, little damage is applied to the enemy character, and a weak vibration is applied to the game apparatus. Conversely, in a case that the enemy character exists at a front of the game screen, much damage is applied to the character, and a strong vibration is applied to the game apparatus. In either case, the vibrations are transmitted to the fingers or hands of the payer via the stick.

While N-Europe rightly points out that this could be just another patent that gets lost in a drawer at Nintendo somewhere, I for one am hopeful. With the focus on the stylus instead of the hand held console itself, our chances of seeing rumble for the DS or DSi seem to be greater. Also, a vibrating stylus sounds better than having both my hands numb from the vibration emitted by the entire device. What say you? Would you like to see rumble incorporated into your current gen hand held?

N-Europe

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Rumor has it that Sony is currently developing a new controller that can be used for all current generation consoles.  A new patent supposedly from Sony shows off a universal controller that works for Wii and Xbox 360 as well as their own PS3 console. The controller has a large iPhone-like LCD touch screen in the center, with standard R,R2 and L, L2 buttons on the top. The control buttons appear on the LCD screen, and change depending on the system you are playing.

So what’s the likelihood of this concept coming to fruition? I guess stranger things have happened, like Mario & Sonic’s new found Olympic love affair. I never could have called that. Take a look at the full version of the patent below, with a brief description.

Gadgetsteria

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When this first showed up on the radar I wasn’t sure if it was real or not. After being force fed the truth that it does indeed exist (as a patent), I had visions of Nintendo’s E3 conference and the Vitality Sensor flash across my brain. Face in palm.

But then, something clicked, and now I can see the potential in this. The Wiimote slides into a pocket in the inflatable seat, where it is free to detect all sorts of bounces and tilts. Another Wiimote or the Nunchuk can then be used as reigns or a sword. Nintendo describes using it to simulate riding everything from “bulls, camels, elephants, burros, dolphins, whales” as well as the more awesome “dragons, griffons, unicorns, [and] giant eagles”. That’s right, Nintendo listed griffons in the patent. More pictures after the break.

Silconera

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A company called Fenner Investments Ltd. decided to sue Nintendo, claiming that their GameCube and Wii controllers infringed on one of their patents. US District Court Judge Leonard Davis of Tyler, Texas didn’t agree, and dismissed the case on Monday. Rick Flamm, NOA Senior Vice President (Legal & General Counsel) was obviously happy with the judge’s decision.

We are very pleased with the court’s decision. Nintendo has a long history of developing innovative products while respecting the intellectual property rights of others. We also vigorously defend patent lawsuits when we firmly believe that we have not infringed another party’s patent, despite the risks that this policy entails. I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the tireless efforts of our legal team, which represented us so well.

That’s one lawsuit down, a million more to go.

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