Nintendo granted messaging patent -- Wii IM?

by Ross Miller { Jun 8th 2006 at 2:55PM }

Six years ago, before the GameCube's launch, Nintendo had filed for a patent on a "messaging service for video game systems with buddy list that displays game being played," and on Tuesday they were granted the patent. The details involve a fully-fledged IM system featuring buddy icons, in-game messaging (via text or voice chat), and web-based storage of the user profile (i.e. Nintendo's servers). All the details can be viewed within the patent's claims.

You can see the similarities between Nintendo's patent and Microsoft's Xbox Live service, but there are two things you should take from this patent:

It does not mean Microsoft copied Nintendo. While Nintendo filed this patent before the Xbox was even launched, chances are Microsoft also filed a patent just as long ago, if not longer.
It does not guarantee these services will be included in the Wii. While Nintendo now has patent protection on such services, given the company the option to incorporate all these features into Wii Connect24, that does not guarantee Nintendo's willingness to implement every aspect of the patent into its service, although it is likely we will see a very similar (if not exact) system implemented by the time the Wii launches.

Nintendo, we can now confirm, has the ability to launch a fully-fledged online service on par with Microsoft, providing almost the exact same features (fully-fledged messaging, downloadable content). To what extent will Nintendo beef up the Wii's online component?

[Thanks, Ianc02]

Tags: Iwata, Miyamoto, Revolution, Wii Connect24, WiiConnect24, XBLA, XBLM, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace, XboxLiveMarketplace

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

BPM? @ Jun 8th 2006 3:11PM

Well, that's pretty interesting that Nintendo wanted such a messaging system that long ago.

Would be nice if it is in Wii. But I won't be disappointed if it isn't. While it seems pretty cool, it's not like it's necessary for a good gaming experience.

Still a neat find, though.

Sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 3:12PM

Interesting...it woulda been awesome if the DS had the ability to message via AIM. Maybe there is a way for the DS to be "upgraded" to allow this...*crosses fingers*

Sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 3:14PM

Well it may not be necessary but just based on me owning my 360 for close to a week now I can tell you that having the ability to message people in game at any time is pretty cool.

Speaking of Nintendo having something like Live for consoles...before there was Live (or an Xbox):

http://blogs.ign.com/Comments.aspx?blog=Hyrule-Times&entryid=21063

Will @ Jun 8th 2006 3:15PM

"Nintendo, we can now confirm, has the ability to launch a fully-fledged online service on par with Microsoft..."

Let's not go crazy. Just because Nintendo might *want* to offer a service on par with Live, that doesn't mean they necessarily have the ability to. Keep in mind, Live has been a product of over 6 years of dedicated work. It didn't spring up overnight in the shape we now see it. Also, Microsoft had a good bit of experience in online structures similar to Live. Nintendo, well, not so much. Furthermore, Microsoft has always viewed Live as their differentiator, therefore they put a lot of focus on it. The Virtual Console is undoubtedly not Nintendo's differentiator, so we don't know how committed they will be to it.

I think it'd be great if Nintendo is committed to having a Live-like online structure. I'm not getting my hopes up for anything on Live's level yet, though, because Nintendo hasn't really shown they have the ability to provide such a great online component.

Jedimonkey27 @ Jun 8th 2006 3:16PM

"While Nintendo filed this patent before the Xbox was even launched, chances are Microsoft also filed a patent just as long ago, if not longer."

This is true, but they granted it to Nintendo, and the patent office tries not to grant patents that would be that similar to two entities. I wonder if this means that Nintendo will file a lawsuit. I hope not, I like both Xbox 360 and Wii. Wii60 FTW!

soco @ Jun 8th 2006 3:28PM

i just hope that Nintendo implements at least a common friendslist finally instead of the silly friends codes.

some patents, although they seem rather general, are generally not. this is related to portable systems.

bv @ Jun 8th 2006 3:41PM

How is this going to work? Am I supposed to draw the letters with the wand? Half of me doesn't want to look like harry potter casting a spell and the other half wants to wear a mask while using this so no one can identify me.

ry @ Jun 8th 2006 3:43PM

friend codes or not, ANYTHING is appreciated as WiiConnect24 is a free service to use and play games on. There's a key differentiator; free to play.

Tim @ Jun 8th 2006 3:48PM

I think the friend codes are a great way to do things. MisterSexOffender can't add BobbyNineYearOld because they both have seemingly random codes instead of names.

Of course, this doesn't make sense, and is something us on this site are not concerned about, but it gives parents who dont know any better that little extra secure feeling. With a number that long, nobody could possibly hack their children.

Marc @ Jun 8th 2006 3:49PM

I wouldn't want to talk while playing a game. It'll screw me up.

Robotic House Plant @ Jun 8th 2006 3:55PM

I really don't understand the patent, when an existing system already exists that is not operated by Nintendo, that is close to or identical to the patent, when Nintendo doesn't already operate such a service.

This seems to me a lawsuit waiting to happen.

BPM? @ Jun 8th 2006 4:02PM

Sabre:
"Interesting...it woulda been awesome if the DS had the ability to message via AIM. Maybe there is a way for the DS to be "upgraded" to allow this...*crosses fingers*"

While it is possible to overwrite the DS firmware (see: FlashMe), there isn't a lot of storage space for the firmware (I think it is about 512KB), so adding built-in functions is very unlikely.

However, adding programs by releasing them as Game Cards (see: Opera DS), is possible. And, there's even some homebrew IM programs in the works...
You can read about them from 4cr:
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/05/21/state-of-the-homebrew-may-2006/

Worth checking out.

cringer8 @ Jun 8th 2006 4:08PM

Nintendo has another patent pending that involves voice recognition. The text displayed would be different depending on "how" you say what you say. If you yell, the text could be all caps and red, for example.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=%28Nintendo.AS.+AND+Text.TTL.%29&OS=AN/Nintendo+and+TTL/Text&RS=(AN/Nintendo+AND+TTL/Text)

SuicideNinja @ Jun 8th 2006 4:13PM

Ross, you are to be commended for killing rampant speculation, blame, and other nonsense in this post.

Before I got to 1 & 2, I was thinking, "Oh god...here comes the Nintendo copied Microsoft or vice versa." You left no excuse for comments to take that direction.

Amos @ Jun 8th 2006 4:21PM

How in the hell can they get a patent for something that's already been made and they didn't make? Doesn't make much sense...

JoseMiguel @ Jun 8th 2006 4:23PM

"hances are Microsoft also filed a patent just as long ago, if not longer"

IF not longer? Yeah? Then how comes nintendo got the patent first?

Whatever the case is, I hope they do release such a service. They don't even need that much of a complicated architechture, a IM system whithin the games and rankings will be enough for a free service, everything else would be just a bonus.

MetaHuman @ Jun 8th 2006 4:23PM

I don't know if it's just an update of the same patent that's mentioned in this article, but Nintendo has patent covering many features. I believe they were proven to be for use with the N64DD (though I'm not certain).

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/19/nintendo_online_gaming/

epobirs @ Jun 8th 2006 4:23PM

#5

Actually, the PTO makes very little effort in that regard. There are millions of patents that appear identical to others until you examine the details. For a company of Microsoft or Nintendo's size the cost of patent applications is minor compared to the cost of defending against predatory patent squatters. Just ask RIM.

Nintendo has dozens of patents that have driven all sorts of wild speculation. (Heck, demos of graphic overlays on video that had nothing at all to do with Nintendo have fueled wild speculation.) For instance, Nintendo has a patent on a application of GPS to handheld game systems in which the GameBoy Color is the example platform. That was filed in 1998, IIRC. Still nothing remotely like a product has been announced, though. If Gizmondo hadn't been run by crooks and it developers actually got to do something with the built-in GPS feature, it is doubtful Nintendo would have sued. Nintendo doesn't need to make money that way. The patent would just serve to have prevented Gizmondo from suing Nintendo if they too did a GPS-based game.

cbisquit @ Jun 8th 2006 4:27PM

Robotic House Plant and Amos,
What part of "Six years ago" do you guys not understand? The US patent office often takes a while to grant a patent.

Raikage @ Jun 8th 2006 4:30PM

Obviously Wiill (lol) hasn't played online with a DS. It is very easy to get started...even easier than Halo...but the friend codes I'm not sure about. They are good for kids but nobody else, so it's a double edged sword. If some kid gets abducted by way of Nintendo's online service it would be all over the news, nobody really cares about Xbox live where not just anyone can play (you have to have a credit/debit card to sign up). I'm sure Nintendo will come up with something though.
P.S. DS + IM = CD (Crazy Delicious)

The Raikage

chris @ Jun 8th 2006 4:32PM

"14. How in the hell can they get a patent for something that's already been made and they didn't make? Doesn't make much sense..."

They applied for it six year ago. Before Xbox Live went live.

"IF not longer? Yeah? Then how comes nintendo got the patent first?"

Because the patent system is horribly broken. Clerks don't do the necessary extensive research and stamp it approved. The result? Things get patented for which there is hundreds of examples of prior art, things get patented for which patents have already been denied, and things get patented for which patents have already been approved.

Marc @ Jun 8th 2006 4:36PM

Sabre,
"Interesting...it woulda been awesome if the DS had the ability to message via AIM. Maybe there is a way for the DS to be "upgraded" to allow this...*crosses fingers*"

Doesn't the DS have this with some Wi-Fi games already (Metroid Prime: Hunters)?

Sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 4:50PM

Well I meant like Pictochat...b/c if it had AIM support and you could sign in with your current AIM name, think about it? There are millions of people that use AIM and then put it into an inexpensive portable gaming device that also has great games? BAM! That's a huge boost in sales.

Cabbage @ Jun 8th 2006 4:51PM

I was reading the patent (yeah, I was bored) and I noticed that it also covers an instant messenger service that could be used with a game emulator that would run on a PC/Mac or PDA (this part is at the very bottom).

What would be very interesting is if Nintendo sold a Wii emulator for the PC/Mac during the first few months when consoles will be very hard to find. This would let people buy/experience games even if the Wii is sold out. Later those people could get a discount on the console if they brought in their emulator.

I imagine the emulator would require a USB key to be plugged into the PC in order to work, since the DVD drive would obviously be occupied with the game disc. They could include bluetooth in the USB key so that people could still use the same controllers when they got a console. In order to encourage people to "upgrade" to the console Nintendo could eventually phase out online support for people using the emulator, or they could just hope that people would want to play on their TV and would naturally pick up the console.

Now I realize that this is a pretty bizarre idea, but I think it would be pretty cool. I guess they would still have to have the sensor bar, too, but a USB version could be included with the software and USB key. I'm not saying this is going to happen, but it would help sell more software during that initial craze, and if it were a good deal cheaper it could convince a few fence sitters.

ninja @ Jun 8th 2006 4:54PM

***WILL****

Um, not sure what exactly you ment by "product of over 6 years of dedicated work" - Was not able to find anything stating when development began, but just FYI for other readers; Xbox Live service arrived in late 2002 - That will be 4 years ago this November...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Xbox_Live

Zeromaru @ Jun 8th 2006 5:08PM

Wii's instant messaging...

They could call it Wiiim!

John H. @ Jun 8th 2006 5:14PM

I like Nintendo as much as anyone (well, maybe not *anyone*), but let's be clear about this.

Software patents are bad, regardless of whether it's Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony or Apple that owns 'em.

The patented features are things that all online game systems should have.

(To respond to Will) Nintendo very well could implement a Live-like communication system, it's hard, but not THAT hard. The patented features are ultimately IM for consoles. They could set up what are ultimately Jabber servers to handle it, like Google does with Google Talk. Doing it for free would be considerably more difficult, but Google does it after all. They aren't getting any ad revenue from Talk.

bladestar @ Jun 8th 2006 5:28PM

Microsoft does have a patent for XBox Live.

http://www.gameshout.com/news/032006/article3395.htm

Nintendo's patent is just like a messenger.

This is the only reference (correct me if I am wrong) I found about voip in the patent:
"These chat sessions are typically text-based, but it also possible to set up voice over Internet sessions between two users. Network server 14 periodically updates the status of the buddies on the buddy list to reflect buddies that have gone offline, are playing different games, have come online, etc."

To me this seems like a system that will allow 2 people to connect with each other to chat (Similar to xbox live, Google Talk, MS Messenger, etc) which it’s mostly public domain. Buddy list, profiles, talking point to point via voip are public domain. This service that patent talks about is nothing like xbox live it is simply a point to point instant messenger.

ShaleX @ Jun 8th 2006 5:37PM

You know.... after playing Brain Age.. I don't have alot of faith in Nintendo's Speech recognition software.

And One thing to remember about Xbox Live.. Peter Moore has been the head of that.. He used to work at Sega durring the Dreamcast days... Anyone remember Sega.Net

Blink @ Jun 8th 2006 5:54PM

If any of this does come about, I just want a way to switch between IM "windows" with buttons on the controller/headset, or maybe something like the volume wheel on the plug in piece of Microsoft's 360 headset. Just, don't make me pause the game to switch to another private chat like MS is doing right now...it's no where near as good for multitasking as AIM/MSN/Gtalk on a PC right now.

Will @ Jun 8th 2006 6:10PM

25.) I assumed the folks at Microsoft began work on Live before making it available to the public. I guesstimated a year or two of development prior to its release. Not that that matters, because the details are irrelevant to the point I was making. Live didn't pop up overnight like we now see it.

27.) I was responding to the part of the post that said, "Nintendo, we can now confirm, has the ability to launch a fully-fledged online service on par with Microsoft..." Sure, Nintendo can probably pretty easily put out a good messenger. Hell, AOL can do it. But a fully-fledged online service? That's a huge question mark.

Raikage @ Jun 8th 2006 7:17PM

@29

The only reason the color "blue" dosen't work all the time is because the guy doing the recording of the word had a hot pocket chime off in the microwave so it got mixed in with the word "blue"...just a simple misunderstanding.
P.S. That is a huge word...and one of my teachers started to yell blue when it didn't pick it up :P

Sabre @ Jun 8th 2006 8:06PM

@ ShaleX:

That's kinda of a lame reason to write off Nintendo's first real attempt at using voice recognition software b/c one word doesn't always get recognized.

ethan @ Jun 8th 2006 8:21PM

IM ha! PS3 will have video chat, and since it is a computer with internet, I'm sure all IM hosts will be supported.

WedgeTalon @ Jun 8th 2006 10:46PM

My immediate reaction is: I wonder if this would have had any impact on Xfire Vs Yahoo. Or heck, even currently with Xfire. It seems an awful lot like what they are doing.

For reference:
xfire: http://www.xfire.com/
yahoo docs (best I can find, sorry): http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/games/play/how/play-23.html
a writeup: http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2005/03/11/xfire_yahoo_countersuit/

cringer8 @ Jun 9th 2006 1:39AM

If you want the word "blue" to be recognized in Brain Age, just say "lue." It will work every time.

phipscube @ Jun 9th 2006 4:19AM

If you change the word "Nintendo" for the word "Sony" I'm sure we'd be reading a completely different article.

Good that a messaging service COULD be available for Wii. Hopefully it is and with video support too.

Neouni @ Jun 9th 2006 4:24AM

there have been some rumors about being able to call a buddy using your Wii,
and that the controller would ring upon calling someone even if the system is in standby mode (which is when it's connected to WiiConnect24

just to comment on patents:
they are so broken you can call a patent for 'the wheel' and hold it for 6 months till they find out after it has been approved that it's already there (there are some details to be found on newssites)

jojo29 @ Jun 9th 2006 7:50AM

"Let's not go crazy. Just because Nintendo might *want* to offer a service on par with Live, that doesn't mean they necessarily have the ability to. Keep in mind, Live has been a product of over 6 years of dedicated work. It didn't spring up overnight in the shape we now see it. Also, Microsoft had a good bit of experience in online structures similar to Live. Nintendo, well, not so much. Furthermore, Microsoft has always viewed Live as their differentiator, therefore they put a lot of focus on it. The Virtual Console is undoubtedly not Nintendo's differentiator, so we don't know how committed they will be to it.

I think it'd be great if Nintendo is committed to having a Live-like online structure. I'm not getting my hopes up for anything on Live's level yet, though, because Nintendo hasn't really shown they have the ability to provide such a great online component"

Can you say hater? thats exactly what you are, a raving fanboi who hates on everyone else. Sony had their online system, although not as clean as xbox's and now they are making theirs a bit more centralized. Good for them, and good for me. Centralized network and free? awesome!

Nintendo is capable of making great games, most of which just spank anything out there on MS, but your saying they are not capable of making a centralized online network like MS? whatever you say man, again a Wii centralized network thats free? sign me up.

Honestly, Nintendo and Sony DO NOT HAVE to OUTPERFORM xbox live, they just need to offer some type of similiar service and their respective fans will be more than happy, thats what most xbox fanbois