Leaked Revolution controller patent refills the rumor pond
by Ben Striegel 
{ Jun 24th 2005 at 3:16PM }
If this is the patent for the Revolution's controller, then I'm baffled as to why Nintendo feared that a rival would
mimic it if it was revealed at E3. After all, it doesn't feature anything that we haven't been speculating about for
months now. And to top it all off,
the patent's wording is just vague enough to make me wonder if they weren't referring to the next iteration of the
Game Boy (the buttons certainly match up, after all). But, if you believe gamesradar, then here's the gist of the
Revolution's revolutionary control interface: gyroscopic motion-sensors, a touch screen, a d-pad, two face buttons, two
shoulder buttons, and the ever-ubiquitous start and select buttons. Simply speaking, think of it as a GBA with a touch
screen and a built-in copy of Kirby's Tilt 'n Tumble.
As usual, the gyroscopes are the most intriguing feature of the unit. gamesradar hints that the gyroscopic technology
will be used for analog control in the absence of an analog joystick, though mewonders if the controller would feature
weights to aid in recentering the unit. Once again, this could be a very cool control scheme if well-implemented into
the game.
However, the touch screen is what worries me. As many, many people have already pointed out, current touch screens
lack any kind of force feedback, and cannot be touched at more than one point without becoming confused. And, judging
by my own experience with Metroid Prime Hunters, reaching your thumb across half the controller to use the touch screen
is more than a little uncomfortable. Of course, clever design on Nintendo's part could potentially lessen my worries.
And, as usual, no prototypes of the controller have been leaked to the public yet. But don't fret; at the current rate
of Revolution leakage, we'll be seeing something about it within the next week.
[thanks, Ruari]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kojak @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
I think it's for the next Gameboy probably. Nintendo clearly stated when questioned whether the Revolution's controller would have a touch screen or not that it would not. Besides, this was one of the first speculations on the net. Gyro's and touchscreen. Nintendo says the controller will surprise us. This is not surprising, doesn't make me say wow, and Nintendo all ready stated that this would not be the case.
vidGuy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Taking Nintendo's word on there not being a touchscreen isn't the best thing, IMO. Why would they prevent any mention of the controller, then just say Yes to a simple question like that when that's RELEASING INFO ON THE CONTROLLER. Kind of a "DENY EVERYTHING" mentality, but that's what they'd have to do.
If the answered truthfully all the time, someone could just guess over and over until they had all the details.
Kakairo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
The patent is dated May 2003. I'm thinking that this was an early DS prototype. The design describes an original design GBA with a gyroscope and a touchscreen built in--or the lower half of a DS, minus the X and Y buttons. I doubt this has anything to do with the Revolution.
Jason Zeidan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
This is definately fake.
If you remember guys... Reggie said once that if all Nintendo's old controllers were combined into one, that would materialize a Revolution controller. So this whole touch screen thing is definately fake.
Plus, if Nintendo created the analog stick, rumble pak, and shoulder buttons, why abandon them.
Also, I think the gyro sensor, while innovative, should represent a very small part of REV's control. I am not waving my controller around like a moron for forty minutes. And I think Nintendo thinks about that.
hilker @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
The images pretty clearly depict a Game Boy Advance connected to a GameCube. Why are people jumping to the conclusion that this patent has anything to do with Revolution?
vidGuy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Don't know where you were looking, but the one I've seen was dated this week.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=nintendo&OS=nintendo&RS=nintendo
Barry @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
This is simply not true, or very unlikely to be so.
If anything this is the patent for the DS, just think about it, the described button placement is the exact placement to that of the DS.
The only official thing we know about the controller is that is doesn't have a touch screen.
And the ONLY way I can see this being even remotely correct is if wireless Cube pads came with the Revolution and Nintendo openly stated that this was an "alternative" to the standard controller (GC) which is used for all the multiformat games.
But I simply will not take this as anything other than weak speculation at best.
Personally, I'll wait for Nintendo.
vidGuy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Ok, my bad, I see the date now. That top one is misleading.
Pieter @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Regarding that bit on the Nintendo Revolution controller... I remembered reading some interesting things regarding recent Japanese projects.
First, the university of Tokyo has developed an interesting new material/method for input called 'GelForce' http://www.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~kazuto/
Also, Nintendo engineers are working with the University of Tokyo and others to develop new tech. toys for the Kyoto museum of Poetry. Ostensibly to also develop a new line of information media devices targeting educational institutions.
The recent image of the 'mocked-up' Revolution controller made me instantly think of an application for the GelForce material and technology.
Kojak @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
You would have to be half-retarded to think this is the Revolution's controller. Whatever it is I'm sure it will be cool but it is not the controller for the Revolution. Most likely for the next Gameboy. Also Nintendo said there would be no screen of any kind whatsoever on the Rev controller. Even this patent doesn't say touchscreen. It just says LCD. Liquid Crystal Display.
Keep in mind that this is not a 2003 patent though as many have thought upon first looking at it. This is fresh.
Morgon @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Just so you're all aware, the patent filing says nothing of it being a touch-screen, it simply says Liquid Crystal Display.
If anything, it sounds more like a patent for the Game Boy Micro, if it had a tilt sensor.
Ruari @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
THIS IS FAKE, Jay just found out and has removed it from the site. I am sorry for this. He put it up and said 100% to me it was real only to find out it wasn't and thus he has destroyed my cred' on about 6 forums :( I feel so bad now :( Sorry Mr. Joystiq person
Kojak @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Well, the patent is real. The idea that it is the Rev controller is not correct though. Your credibility should be okay.
optimiss @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
I'm starting to think this thing may be for the Revolution. The description mentions DVD-ROM as well as connection to a TV. It also says the controller is connected to the game system but not on the actual unit. This is from the patent, sure sounds like the Revo:
"FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the game system 30. In FIG. 3, the game device 40 includes a calculating section (a CPU 401, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 402, and a digital signal processor (DSP) 406), a storage section (a main memory 405, a color buffer 403, a Z-buffer 404, and a sub-memory 407), various interface (I/F) sections (409 to 412, and 414), a memory controller 408, and a DVD drive 413. As shown in FIG. 3, the memory controller 408 interconnects the calculating section, the storage section, and the interface sections, and controls data transfer between the components included in the above-described sections."
Kojak @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
in the diagrams though with the pictures it shows that the system it keeps reffering to is the gamecube. there are gamecube pictures throughout the patent if you click the images link.
ipostthis @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
If you actually read the whole patent, you would realize that this patent is explaining the connectivity between the GBA and the GameCube, back in 2003 when that technology was new.
SlipstreamBRO @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
"...many people have already pointed out, current touch screens lack any kind of force feedback, and cannot be touched at more than one point without becoming confused."
Immersion is already working on a solution for this dilemma. :) I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to put into the Nintendo design.
benhc911 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
i personaly think that this is for a GBA game that utalises the gyro. At the same time I do believe that the rev console will have gyros, but N said that there wouldnt be a screen on the controller, or a touch screen.
I think that it is something like the two part controller, with a gyro in each, but I think that they will be able to connect back together for more traditional gaming. This makes sense because of a patent for a controller that breakes into two filed by N.
They show what they call a "placeholder image", where they show an unusual set of Kongos, that can seperate, and it was filed three monthes after donkey konga one was released.
It also shows a mike and a frequency dial, maybe for different wireless channels. The emphasis on "placeholder" is also suspicious.
Belgand @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Although I do love my wonderful little DS I have to admit that it can definitely be uncomfortable. The buttons are too tiny, the size is just in the perfect range of too small and too big so that you can't get your hands properly around it while holding the shoulder buttons, and trying to use the touchscreen with the thumbpad (e.g. like in Hunters) requires the aforementioned awardness of reaching halfway across the damn thing.
John @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Read the latest Gamespot rumour control.
They prove how this is easily not the revolution controller but only an extension of ither a GCN controller or GBA to be able to controll 3-deminsional objects on screen using a gyroscope.
3D gyroscopes to this day have not been used.
Karmakaze @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Guys, look at the PICTURES: (you have to pull the links out of the html unless your browser displays embedded Tiffs)
FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system 30 of an embodiment of the present invention;
http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.DImg?Docid=US006908388&PageNum=2&IDKey=894CF9C08109&ImgFormat=tif
Go, go, investigative journalism...
Link @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/24/news_6128178.html
Check the link... 'nuff said.
The diagrams crearly show a GC and a GBA (the original one) with a tilt cartridge.
That's it.
The only interesting bit is how the patent shows how the setup can control a 3D game as opposed to 2D games like that Warioware game. That's the only new piece of technology because it states that the current tilt sensor can only control 2D movement, and this would allow full 3D control through tilting.
This was probably a prototype for a game and perhaps to add the the vaunted "connectivity" Nintendo was always trying to use with its GC/GBA combo.
The plausible thing would be that the new controller has a built in gyro sensor for the revolution. As for the touch screen, who knows, but that patent states a mere LCD screen, not a touch screen, so don't get your hopes up yet. Still, it MAY be interesting if it's true and done right.
vidGuy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
"As many, many people have already pointed out, current touch screens lack any kind of force feedback,"
Alpine's Pulse Touch Display provides "tactile feedback"... Nintendo may have a way to get a hold of these kinds of technologies.
http://www.alpine-europe.com/content/english/a730.det.Pulse-Touch-Display.htm
Ben @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Its for the gameboy micro you idiots
Jake @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Nintendo is always known for making a profit, correct? Why would they include a touchscreen in a controller??? They would have to sell them for no less than $75 or so. How many of us are going to go out and pick up an extra $75 controller so that our friends can play too? It just wouldn't be possible financially. Unless of course they get someone to make dirt cheap touch screens.
Zeo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Checking the facts yet again.
vidGuy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
"They would have to sell them for no less than $75 or so."
unless they were forward thinking enough to provide the technology for cheap in order to entice consumers and get a larger market share
Ben @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Your all idiots its obviously for the Gameboy micro!
NTN @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
I think the GelForce Pieter mentioned looked very interesting. It would certainly go along with the thouch/feel stuff Nintendo has been talking about..
gunbot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
It's probably just a tilt pack to play a gamecube version of Wario twisted
Johngrey @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Apparently it was previously known to be an unfinished Roll o'Rama game that Nintendo announced cancelled many moons ago. Few websites had this news up for like an hour until they all took it down having realized that it was nothing to do with Revolution.
... then a day later Joystiq posts it saying it's for Revolution. You guys trying to spread a recycled rumour? :D
spike @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
This webpage should be called "I_HATE_NENTENDO.COM" instead of Joystiq.com
Nodnetni @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
It may just be me, but the "Hint" about the controller being able to play games for all the system. Kind of makes you think that the control will be able to change with the system or game your are playing. So if they were able to get a touch screen that was able to take in multiple points, or something like what the University of Tokyo was working on, that could be possible, but not cheap. Something like the $699 Sony Navitus remote. Where you would have the directional pad, and then a touch display where the buttons are able to change according to game play. Just my thoughts.
Fallen_Idol @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
I have seen and read much about the new console and
its controller, from the much hyped touch screen
intergration. but the most interesting information i have
come across is a controller that is completle button
it has to ball like peices that you would attach to either hand
and a censor on each peice facing inward.
It had a touch censor around either balls circumference so that you could
set buttons on it and you could twist and move it to controll the
game movement free from cables.
Linkthewarrior @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Ok, has anyone thought that maybe the pictures on this patent were using the Gamecube model and GBA model so as to not give away the actual look of the control, but to get the patent for the idea to put into the control? I seriously doubt it is for the Gameboy Micro if it has a tilt sensor in the patent...
richard ford @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Insofar as I am TOTALLY against any type of touchy feely controller or fucking ball bearings rolling around in some PCV capsule, and I totally detest that piece of bile they call the DS, if one could use, say the normal Gamecube controller in place of the aforementioned techno-scat they plan on dumping on us, I would go for it because aside from that horrid controller issue thing I think the big N is a really cool system! It would be a shame to see it go down the tube because of some stupid dipshit pipedream! thnx RGF
Erik @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
YOU ARE AN IDIOT. MARK MY WORDS, AN IDIOT. THANKS FOR SPREADING RUMERS.
If you were SMART, you would know this is the Zelda game Four Swords hooked up to the Game Cube..
Please remove this page and appologize. Thanks
striegs @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM
Dude, pop a pill of your favorite anger medication, count to ten, then, and this step is imperative, slam your face into a tree. If you were smart, you'd realize that:
1) Your opinions are vapid.
2) This news is from two months ago.
3) It's spelled "rumors."
Please consult a dictionary and apologize. Thanks!