Joystiq

SCEA patents advertising that interrupts gameplay

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

A patent filed by Sony Computer Entertainment America in 2011 describes an advertising system in which a game would be "suspended" during play, an advertisement would come up, and then the game would continue - much like TV commercials interrupt segments of programming. According to the patent, ads would be preceded by a warning and a slowdown of gameplay, with another warning displayed when gameplay is about to resume.

The mere filing of a patent is no indication that this will be implemented, simply that the idea came up. Now, while we primarily work as journalists, we consider ourselves reasonably industry-savvy, and can thus be trusted to provide game industry analysis, pro-bono, in an advisory capacity.

It is to that end we present the following advice to Sony:

DON'T DO THIS

SCEA patents advertising that interrupts gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Xbox 360 import ban to the US recommended by ITC judge

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

Both the 4GB and 250GB Xbox 360 S models were recommended for a trade ban in the US this week by International Trade Commission judge David Shaw. Said recommendation came several weeks after Shaw ruled in favor of Motorola in a case alleging Microsoft violated several patents held by the mobile phone manufacturer, ranging from Wi-Fi technology to video patents.

The recommendation alone doesn't ban the import of the two console models - a panel of six judges on the ITC board will review Shaw's recommendation and decide whether it should be made into law. Florian Mueller of patent site Foss Patents told GamesIndustry International that it's unlikely Shaw's recommendation will make it past its current point. "Unlike judges at courts, ITC judges don't make the decisions: they merely recommend them. Their recommendations are very frequently not adopted by the Commission, the six-member decision-making body at the top of the ITC," he said.

Moreover, Mueller pointed out that he's "never seen an ITC judge make any other recommendation than an exclusion order [the import ban in question] if his initial determination is that there is a violation." And given Shaw's initial determination earlier this year that Microsoft was in violation of Motorola's patents, today's news is actually "normal course of business," said Mueller.

Xbox 360 import ban to the US recommended by ITC judge originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii U patent shows off Wiimote-to-WiiPad pointing and dragging

David Hinkle — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:30:00 EST

A patent filed by Nintendo in October of last year has just surfaced online, suggesting a neat feature for the Wii U. The patent outlines a feature in which the player can use the Wiimote to grab things from the television and transport them over to the Wii U tablet.

In the example provided, the player is under attack from a UFO and uses the Wiimote to move a character from the TV to the safety of the tablet. Sounds like an interesting feature, though we're not looking forward to taking a bath in radioactive liquid so we can grow that extra arm to use all this stuff.

Wii U patent shows off Wiimote-to-WiiPad pointing and dragging originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patents pressure-sensitive controller that identifies who's holding it

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:15:00 EST

Iris scans are old hat. The future of biometric identification is in registering and identifying a person's unique hand pressure profile - at least, that's what someone at Microsoft believes. The megalithic multimedia mogul has been granted a patent for "personalization using a hand-pressure signature," specifically in conjunction with game console controllers.

A device outfitted with this technology would include internal memory and a processing unit. Once gripped by a user, the device would register the pressure exerted by the user's mits and compare that to a stored database of recognized pressure profiles. Once a match is found, the device (in this case a 360) knows who is holding the controller and can then display ~~advertisements~~ information appropriately. Despite this patent being specific to controllers, we could see the usefulness of this technology in cell phones, tv remotes, or essentially any hand-held electronic device, should it ever come to fruition.

Microsoft patents pressure-sensitive controller that identifies who's holding it originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Miyamoto's DS patent offers upgraded tourist hunting techniques

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:30:00 EST

The DS Lite could see society's next great advancement in GPS technology, at least in tourist-heavy areas such as museums and haunted-home expeditions, a patent from Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto suggests.

The patent describes a system where an overhead grid of infrared "positional information transmitters" reads a user's DS to light up floor patterns and potential walkways. The user can then pick which route he'd like to take, reading tourist facts along the way.

Nintendo has already infiltrated the museum scene with the 3DS giving guided tours in the Louvre, and it's doing a pretty great job, from what we hear. There's no guarantee that a patent will translate to an actual product, but the thousands of infrared beams hovering over the Mona Lisa fulfills a few of our own spy fantasies, so we'll hope this one works out in some way.

Miyamoto's DS patent offers upgraded tourist hunting techniques originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motorola granted injunction against Xbox 360 sales in Germany, not as dramatic as it sounds

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:45:00 EST

A German court has granted Motorola Mobility an injunction against the sale and/or distribution of the Xbox 360 in Germany, as well as copies of Windows 7, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, following a ruling that some of Microsoft's products violate patents that pertain to the H.264 video codec and are held by Motorola.

Were Motorola to enforce this injunction, it would mean that Microsoft would lose the ability to sell its flagship products in Deutschland until the matter of Motorola's patents is settled, which would be a Very Big Deal[TM]. Thing is, though, Motorola is currently prohibited from enforcing the injunction due to a restraining order issued by an American judge in Seattle.

Microsoft argued that Motorola is abusing its "Frand-commitments," which are essentially a pinky swear that a massive company makes to the world when it is in possession of a universally required piece of technology, wherein it commits to providing licenses for said technology at "fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory" rates. Microsoft says that Motorola's asking price goes beyond fair and reasonable, so the judge issued the restraining order to prevent the injunction from happening until the case can be heard, which is currently scheduled to happen on May 7.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is also appealing the German court's decision, and thanks to the restraining order from the American judge, it'll be able to conduct business as usual during that process. Patent infringement cases like this are all about applying pressure on both sides until one of the companies involved cracks, so we doubt that Motorola ever actually expected that it'd be able to enforce a successful injunction. The fact that it happened at all, however, despite being nullified, adds another layer of trouble and stress to Microsoft's half of the situation.

It's a lot like vs. Dr. Mario, but with slightly more money involved.

Motorola granted injunction against Xbox 360 sales in Germany, not as dramatic as it sounds originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patent brings us one step closer to real-life Deus Ex

David Hinkle — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:00:00 EST

In the Deus Ex universe, technology has advanced to the point where human beings are able to augment themselves with technology, enhancing their abilities and giving themselves raspy, chain-smoking truck driver voices. It's what came to mind after our pals at Engadget discovered a Microsoft patent for an EMG (electromyography) device.

The patent calls it the "Wearable Electromyography-Based Controller," which would potentially allow users to control their devices (smartphone, computer and the like) through movement - the device would monitor muscle movement, either through a wireless or wired connection. The patent suggests a variety of different devices on Microsoft's mind: the armband seen above; a shirt (smartshirt, we like to call it); and even a pair of sunglasses, though they appear less badass and expensive than Adam Jensen's or, heck, even the shades JC Denton rocks in the original Deus Ex.

We just hope one of those EMG devices has a built-in niceness chip, to prevent future cyber-people from freaking out over tiny problems.

Microsoft patent brings us one step closer to real-life Deus Ex originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony awarded patent for Xperia Play with double the keyboards

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has assigned Sony a patent for "electronic devices having multiple keypads and related methods," which when translated out of Patentese and into The Queen's English, means "cell-phones with two sliding keyboards and stuff."

The patent application is chock full of ballistically confusing descriptions like "a second slidable unit having a second keypad thereon, the second slidable unit being slidably connected to the upper unit and the first slidable unit," but the basic idea of the patent is fairly straight forward: Rather than having one slide-out keypad like the existing Xperia Play, this device would have two keyboards stacked on top of each other, and the user would decide which to slide out depending on the situation.

Obviously, the most practical application of this tech would be to equip one keyboard with a QWERTY layout and the other with PlayStation controls, but whether or not this patent will get any actual use remains to be seen. With phones getting larger, physical keyboards falling to the wayside and the PlayStation Suite still in beta testing, the chances of Sony taking a risk on a device that's market is slowly waning seems unlikely.

Sony awarded patent for Xperia Play with double the keyboards originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Preliminary ruling: Xbox 360 infringes on some Motorola patents

JC Fletcher — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:20:00 EST

An ITC ruling has found that the Xbox 360 infringes on four patents owned by Motorola. According to The Verge, some of the patents deal with the H.264 video codec, which is the subject of other legal proceedings between Microsoft and Motorola - with Motorola demanding 2.25% of the final price for any Microsoft product using the standard.

Bloomberg reports that the other two are about Wi-Fi tech, and that a fifth contentious patent was about communication between the Xbox and accessories. One of the Wi-Fi patents was not infringed, and one unspecified claim regarding one of the video patents was "invalid," judge David Shaw ruled.

In other proceedings related to this issue, Microsoft is seeking to force Motorola to license its "standard" patents on more "fair and reasonable terms." This preliminary ruling would seem to be a blow towards Microsoft's effort; however, it is still subject to review by a panel of six judges.

Preliminary ruling: Xbox 360 infringes on some Motorola patents originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just look at this PS Move steering wheel patent

David Hinkle — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST

At first glance, it looks like Sony's answer to the Wii Wheel. But the patent proposing the above device has one odd feature: controller grips on the side of the wheel, which houses a PlayStation Move, that extend outward.

The patent - it's described as "ornamental design for a video game controller peripheral" - was originally filed in April of last year and recently surfaced online. As is the case with many patents, this is less of a guaranteed product and more of snapshot of some of the ideas that went through a peripheral designer's head.

Just look at this PS Move steering wheel patent originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo patents handheld game emulation on 'low-capability' systems

JC Fletcher — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

Nintendo has been awarded a US patent for emulation of handheld video games on other platforms, something that may not impress anyone playing a Game Boy game through the 3DS Virtual Console right now.

Nintendo applied for the patent back in 2003, for technology to emulate a handheld game system (examples given: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance) on low-powered systems like cell phones and displays in airplane seat backs.

Nintendo may have been exploring options like in-airplane Game Boy games (SNES-based systems were a staple in airplanes for years), but it's much more likely that the company was attempting to get a footing from which to defend its IPs against other, unauthorized emulation.

Nintendo patents handheld game emulation on 'low-capability' systems originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Here's a Microsoft patent for a bizarre gaming helmet

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST

The gaming world certainly isn't without its crazy patents and, today, we see Microsoft add another to the pile. The patent in question is a "laser-scanning virtual image display" able to display an image very close to a user's eyes. Specifically, two such displays would be incorporated into a helmet, allowing a user to see a stereoscopic, three dimensional image. While not exclusively meant for video games, the patent does mention that the helmet could "be used in applications ranging from video gaming to aviation."

Furthermore, as spotted by Patent Bolt, the displays "may be at least partly transparent," which would allow the user to see the world around him as well as the projected image. That's good, because we prefer our pilots to keep their eyes on the sky, thank you very much.

Here's a Microsoft patent for a bizarre gaming helmet originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rampant Speculation Theatre presents: THQ trademarks 'Evolve'

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST

THQ has filed a trademark for "Evolve" with the United States Patent & Trademark Office, according to an application dug up by Gamespot. The trademark's classification is rather wordy and all encompassing, ranging from what you'd expect ("computer game software") to what you might not ("providing entertainment services, in the nature of a site featuring entertainment information, discussion groups, non-downloadable video games, and downloads relating to video games").

Here on Rampant Speculation Theatre, it's our job to take news that is particularly svelte and jazz it up with ~~lies~~ predictions, so let's get to it: Evolve will be a Spore-esque artificial life simulator, covering the evolution of all planetary life from single-celled organisms through modern man. Evolve's differentiating factor will be the fact that all evolution takes place in real time; at 6 billion years long, it offers players excellent value for money.

Rampant Speculation Theatre presents: THQ trademarks 'Evolve' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patents filed for Kinect-like PS Eye camera, backwards compatibility adapter

David Hinkle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:30:00 EST

A new patent suggests Sony is considering -- or considered at one time -- its own take on a 3D depth-sensing camera. The patent in question was filed by Dr. Richard Marks, the inventor of the PS Eye and PlayStation Move, back in October.

The filing calls for "a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment using a depth sensing device" that players would move in front of and interact with. "Embodiments of the present invention provide real-time interactive gaming experiences for users. For example, users can interact with various computer-generated objects in real-time." That sounds awfully close to Kinect, doesn't it?

Another patent suggests Sony is also considering a separate set of hardware that would allow for better backwards compatibility. Rather than provide an on-board solution, this would plug into your game console and provide the hardware needed to properly run an older game. (Sound familiar?) Patents are quite a few steps removed from reality, but they might just give us a glimpse at how we might play our games in the future, whether they're new or old.

Sony patents filed for Kinect-like PS Eye camera, backwards compatibility adapter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patented Wii U-esque controller, has pics to prove it

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Sony may have been caught in the same handheld wavelengths as Nintendo in 2010. A patent uncovered by Games Beat shows Sony considering a handheld, touchscreen device that would function similarly to Nintendo's Wii U. Titled the "Position-dependent gaming, 3-D controller, and handheld as a remote," the device would track its own location as "input to a video game" and render "an avatar on a mobile device such that it appears to overlay a competing user in the real world."

Sony's Vita can share saves and transfer data with the PS3, and even has the capability to be used as a controller for compatible PS3 games, meaning this patent could simply be a tale of what might have been. Inspect some more images of Sony's device below.

Continue reading Sony patented Wii U-esque controller, has pics to prove it

Sony patented Wii U-esque controller, has pics to prove it originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Old Microsoft patent details gaming console with DVR functionality

David Hinkle — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST

Can you imagine the original Xbox 360, with its 20GB hard drive, being used as a DVR? We really can't see it working, but in January of 2007 Microsoft was down with the idea.

Patents discovered by Tom's Guide detail plans for a gaming console similar to the Xbox 360 with a "digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component." In the alternate reality where Microsoft actually followed through with this patent, the console in question would be able to directly record content even when playing games or if "the gaming console is turned off."

Of course today the Xbox 360 can stream content in a number of ways, but does not allow for direct recording to the hard drive. Now that the ceiling for storage has been raised on the platform we'd be on board with such functionality, but if this languishing patent is any indication Microsoft is fine with the current state of things.

Old Microsoft patent details gaming console with DVR functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Impulse Technology suing Nintendo for patent infringement

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:45:00 EST

Tech developer Impulse Technology -- that name sound familiar? -- has filed a lawsuit against Nintendo and a score of third-party studios, accusing them of violating a 1996 patent for an "interactive system for measuring physiological exertion." The suit is largely based on the weight-tracking Wii Balance Board (and the games which use it, like Wii Fit Plus, Zumba Fitness 2 and UFC Personal Trainer), which Impulse claims too closely resemble its own Trazer Interactive Fitness machine.

Normally, we'd scoff at such a lawsuit, especially since Impulse leveraged almost the exact same claims against Microsoft for its Kinect hardware this past July. Still, take a look at the Trazer Interactive Fitness machine, seen above. The resemblance truly is uncanny, right?

Right?

Impulse Technology suing Nintendo for patent infringement originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo patents periscope-esque Wiimote touchpad attachment

JC Fletcher — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:28:00 EST

A Nintendo patent shows that Nintendo is, or was, considering the graft of Wii U-like features onto the regular old Wiimote. The company applied for a patent for a device that adds a touch panel to the Wiimote, using an infrared LED and mirrors to feed info about the position of your finger into the Wiimote's IR sensor. The patent describes using it as a mouse pointer or a drawing interface. You know, touch panel stuff.

The tech doesn't exactly emulate the WiiPad, as the touch panel is just for controls, and isn't a screen. It's unclear whether this is something Nintendo is planning for the future -- for enhancing Wiimotes for use on Wii U -- or if it's just an idea someone cooked up.

Nintendo patents periscope-esque Wiimote touchpad attachment originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patents biometric controllers, handhelds

JC Fletcher — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST

Everyone's getting into the biometric controller business -- without actually getting into it. Nintendo's Vitality Sensor caused a lot of blood pressure spikes upon its announcement, but was delayed into oblivion. And don't hold your breath for Ubisoft's Innergy.

The next device to get feedback from your body as you play, and to possibly be canceled before release, comes from Sony. Siliconera found a patent for biometric controllers, and even handheld game systems with sensors built in. They're designed to read your heart rate, electro-muscular data (muscle contractions) and skin conductivity (i.e. moisture).

Rather than putting this technology to use in relaxing, mellow experiences, as the other companies planned, Sony's patent envisions "hardcore" applications, like weapons that increase or decrease in accuracy depending on your stress level, or characters who act more nervous as you grow more agitated.

Sony patents biometric controllers, handhelds originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple looking to add avatars to Game Center, patent filings show

David Hinkle — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:45:00 EST

Use Game Center much? Some potential patents Apple has filed for may hint at more robust features coming to the platform in the future -- specifically, avatars. Apple's documents (via AppleInsider) show customization options and fully animated avatars akin to Nintendo's Miis or Microsoft Xbox 360 avatars, which the company is apparently aiming to incorporate into Game Center.

The patents were originally filed in April of this year and talk about the usual rigmarole that comes with avatars, such as funny hats. There's also the possibility for these avatars to appear in games, Apple noted in the filings.

Apple looking to add avatars to Game Center, patent filings show originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Patent points to possible Kinect-based parental controls

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:00 EST

Tech blog Geekwire recently uncovered a U.S. patent for software which uses the Kinect to scan a potential player's body size, and restrict mature content based on their estimated age. It does so not just by examining their height, but the proportions of their body parts -- still, we think it would have an awfully difficult time detecting the age of a little person, or an unnaturally, horrifyingly gigantic teenager.

According to the filing, "output content can be replaced by substitute content when a person in a lower age group enters the field of view." This could mean that if an adult was playing Rise of Nightmares, and then their child walks into the room, the console would temporarily switch over to Kinectimals until junior left the room, returning the player to adult time. "Don't look at that, Johnny," the father would say to his curious offspring. "That's grown-up Kinectimals."

Patent points to possible Kinect-based parental controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patents modular phone with controller attachments

JC Fletcher — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:30:00 EST

A new Microsoft patent depicts a concept for a "slider" type cell phone with customizable control schemes -- in the form of multiple controller attachments that snap into a cavity in the phone. "The second devices can comprise one or more game controllers, batteries, physical keyboards and/or mobile phone handsets with a display," the patent explains. Wait, mobile handsets? Microsoft wants to put a phone in your phone so you can talk while you talk?

The included drawings depict, as examples, a QWERTY keyboard, a game controller with a circular pad and four face buttons, the aforementioned extra battery, and ... some thing that looks like a film strip, which the patent specifies is a second display.

The existence of this patent is no guarantee that this is the next Windows Phone device, but it's an interesting concept that would probably put more attention on the platform if realized. Like, some attention.

Microsoft patents modular phone with controller attachments originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST

The Wii U's tablet-esque controller may tout its touchscreen as its main selling point, but there's a lot more than meets the eye going into every one of Nintendo's resistive-screened revolutionaries. Patent diagrams for the WiiPad's schematics list off plenty of components you'd expect (touch panel, touch panel controller, camera, etc), however eagle-eyed patent trolls have pointed out a few less common additions to the hardware, namely a magnetic sensor and flash memory.

The "magnetic sensor," more commonly referred to as a magnetometer, measures ~~your proximity to Magneto~~ disturbances in a device's magnetic field. Magnetometers have been used in smartphones to find true north for GPS and compass applications, however the technology can also lend itself to touch-less, camera-less gesture input.

Flash memory, while mentioned, is not listed in any specific quantity, which makes inferring its purpose somewhat difficult. The memory is listed separately from the onboard CPU's internal memory, however, so its applications will likely be user-oriented rather than processor-oriented. For now, all we can do is wait, imagine, and dream. How many Miis will we be able to fit on this thing? All of them? The future is so bright.

Continue reading Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory

Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo files patent for 'massively single-playing online games'

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST

Playing games online can be a mixed bag of fantastic and horrible experiences, depending on what you're playing. If you're lucky, the game you're interested in has an active, helpful community of friendly people, eager to help new players become members of the neighborhood. If you're unlucky, however, your online gaming experience may take a decidedly different, far less enjoyable form.

Nintendo, seemingly aware of the perils of interpersonal interaction online, have filed a patent for a "Massively Single-Playing Online Game," which aims to provide all of the benefits of a persistant online world, without any of the drawbacks associated with other people. The general idea is that a player's actions will affect various gameplay mechanics for all other players, much like in traditional MMOs, however the players will never actually interact with each other. A player may build themselves a house in a persistant world, for instance, and while other players can find the house, they cannot find its creator.

The Big N also gave economic examples, wherein a player's actions may increase or decrease the scarcity/value of an item for all players across the board. NPC interaction was also pointed to as a way for players to communicate with each other indirectly, with computer-controlled characters acting as messengers.

It's important to remember that technology companies like Nintendo file patent applications on a fairly regular basis, and that this application's existence doesn't necessarily mean that we'll be seeing this kind of gameplay implemented into anything anytime soon. It's also important to remember that a Pokemon game using this technology would be off the chain.

Nintendo files patent for 'massively single-playing online games' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Impulse Technology suing Microsoft over Kinect motion tracking

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:03:00 EST

A company called Impulse Technology has filed suit against Microsoft and several game companies over the Kinect hardware and software, claiming that the controller-free motion tracking violates its patents for "System and method for tracking and assessing movement skills in multidimensional space," and "Education system challenging a subject's physiologic and kinesthetic systems to synergistically enhance cognitive function."

Microsoft is named for its Kinect hardware, of course, but other companies are included in the suit because they made games that use the Kinect to track body movements.

According to Patent Arcade, Impulse is seeking not just money, but a permanent injunction -- which, were it to go through, would force Kinect hardware and software to be shelved in the US.

Impulse Technology suing Microsoft over Kinect motion tracking originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo faces lawsuit over 3DS screen technology

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

Tomita Technologies has filed a patent suit against Nintendo, alleging that the 3DS's stereoscopic display infringes upon Tomita's patent for "technology relating to displaying stereoscopic images on-screen for viewing with the naked eye, i.e., without utilizing glasses or other devices.," filed in 2003 and granted in 2008.

Nintendo is no stranger to these patent suits, with previous complaints claiming Nintendo infringed upon others' patents with Wii Fit, the GameCube and Classic Controllers, controller ports, and motion controls (Nintendo settled in that case).

We don't claim to be legal experts, but something seems off about this particular case from the outset: the screens are made by Sharp, not Nintendo.

Nintendo faces lawsuit over 3DS screen technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Patent points at PlayStation Move-compatible PSP Go dock

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:35:00 EST

A patent filed by Sony back in November 2009 (and recently published) with the USPTO seems to indicate that the company was once exploring methods of integrating its colorfully-tipped Move controllers into its handheld video games. The patent in question is for a dock which, in an attached illustration, fits a folded-shut PSP Go. The dock includes a built-in camera which functions like a PlayStation Eye, detecting Move controllers in a narrow radius in front of the dock.

If Sony's actually looking into developing this peripheral, it's far more likely that they're doing so for the NGP rather than the nearly-defunct PSP Go. If it is a real thing, though, it's definitely going to bring up some intriguing metaphysical questions. For instance: Is a handheld gaming device still a handheld gaming device when it's not hand-held?

Patent points at PlayStation Move-compatible PSP Go dock originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 May 2011 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft patent pictures networked, personalized profiles for Kinect-like system

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST

A newly published patent application, submitted by Microsoft to the USPTO back in October 2009, describes the personalization of a "gesture-based system" -- presumably, what would become Kinect -- through detailed user profiles that could be stored on a network. It's anyone's guess if this is a glimpse at where Kinect profiles are going (through potential updates) or what they could have been.

The patent outlines a "gesture profile" that could record user preferences for various tasks and system commands. "For example," the application proposes, "a user may prefer to use a checkmark to indicate 'checked' while others may use an X. A user may have a different manner for performing the gesture, such as quicker or more exaggerated motions." Over time, "the system may more fully identify and/or distinguish the user's gestures, thus providing more accuracy and speed for gesture recognition."

The proposal also suggests that such a profile could be "roaming in a network." In other words, the user's gesture profile could be connected to any number of potential devices (as pictured). Networked profiles, too, good be updated by the system to make "intelligent" changes to an application's default gesture data based on the users' region. As the patent writers warn, "Different cultures may use similar gestures to impart markedly different meanings."

"For instance, an American user who wishes to tell another user to 'look' or 'use his eyes' may put his index finger on his head close to the distal side of his eye," the writers continue. "However, to an Italian user, this gesture may be interpreted as a reference to the mafia." And that's always awkward when you're playing with that shady, old Italian guy.

Microsoft patent pictures networked, personalized profiles for Kinect-like system originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo of America patent shows off unreleased motorcycle game concept

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST

Every night, before we loose ourselves from the moorings of the conscious world, we say a short prayer that a game developer will realize the potential in a relaunch of Sega's arcade almost-classic, Harley Davidson & LA Riders. Our wishes haven't been granted yet, but a recently uncovered patent (.pdf) shows that Nintendo of America came awfully close to creating something similar to Sega's Easy Rider-esque masterpiece.

The patent depicts a motorcycle (and/or Jetski) racing game controlled using the Wii Balance Board and Wiimote. Twisting and turning the remote accelerates and turns the bike, while leaning on the Balance Board allows the player to take sharper turns. It's unclear whether the game depicted is still in development, but we'll keep our fingers crossed regardless. Hey, it beats buying and riding an actual motorcycle, you know. Those things are like, super dangerous.

Nintendo of America patent shows off unreleased motorcycle game concept originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

OnLive calls T5 Labs claim to key game streaming patent 'irrelevant'

Mike Schramm — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST

OnLive had supposedly nailed down the patent it needed to run its cloud-based gaming service (quite successfully so far, from all reports), but a new challenger is claiming otherwise. A company named T5 Labs now says it has been awarded a patent that predates OnLive's registration and gives it control over the fundamental tech behind cloud gaming. OnLive's patent was originally filed in December of 2002, but T5's was filed in March of that year, so, if the two patents do in fact cover the same tech, T5 would appear to have precedence.

An OnLive spokesperson tells Joystiq that the company has examined both patent applications after being contacted by T5 head Graham Clemie and "saw no relevance whatsoever to OnLive and told him so. We are approached by people with irrelevant patents all the time. We are highly confident in our own patent portfolio, and have no further comment."

Things seem fairly cut and dry from OnLive's point of view. T5 only says so far that it is "deciding whether to commence a procedure in the U.S. Patent Office known as an 'interference,'" which would establish the correct patent ownership. We'll see what -- if anything -- comes of that.

OnLive calls T5 Labs claim to key game streaming patent 'irrelevant' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LG strikes back at Sony in patent fight, wants PS3 imports blocked in US

Christopher Grant — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:20:00 EST

What happens when billion-dollar multinational technology conglomerates get in a fight? They don't gather around the flagpole after school; instead, they hurl patents at one another, fast and furious.

After filing a complaint against Korean technology company LG in December pertaining to seven US mobile phone patents, Sony finds itself the recipient of a revenge-complaint (a term we just made up) wherein LG claims that "certain electronic devices having a Blu-Ray Disc player and components thereof" violate four of its patents. That includes a lot of devices, like Bravia TVs, but only one piece of Sony hardware was singled out by name: the PlayStation 3 (Model No. CECH-2501A, if you want to be precise).

The complaints are filed with the US International Trade Commission, which has the power to block imports of products that violate US patents. So, in short, LG is looking for the ITC to keep PS3s off American shores. But since that doesn't put any cash money directly in its pockets, LG has "also filed civil suits against Sony in federal court in California, making similar claims and seeking cash compensation for the unauthorized use of its inventions," Bloomberg reports. We think we speak for everyone when we say that we liked it better when fights were settled with violence.

LG strikes back at Sony in patent fight, wants PS3 imports blocked in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Activision Blizzard and Zynga sued over alleged patent infringement

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST

In many industries --- games included -- success leads to two things: Money and lawsuits. You don't get much higher than Activision and Zynga in the world of video games, and TechCrunch reports that both companies have been sued by Walker Digital, a company founded by Jay Walker, best known for founding Priceline.com. Walker Digital alleges that both Zynga and Activision violate its patent, US patent no. 6,425,828, which concerns a "database driven online distributed tournament system." Specifically, Walker alleges that the companies violate the first claim of its patent which describes a "method of conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players."

The suit names several of the companies' titles, including World of Warcraft, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Mafia Wars and many others (though not Farmville, surprisingly). We're not legal experts, but we'd argue that the word "tournament" implies a finite series of gaming events with a distinct winner, as opposed to the ongoing matches seen in the games cited by Walker Digital. Furthermore, the dependent claims in Walker Digital's patent make it pretty clear that it was intended to describe tournaments with entry fees and prizes, which certainly isn't the case with the games cited.

Walker Digital is seeking unspecified damages from Zynga and Activision Blizzard.

Activision Blizzard and Zynga sued over alleged patent infringement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gaikai, Otoy not worried about OnLive's cloud gaming patent

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST

OnLive's recently acquired patent, which covers "Apparatus and method for wireless video gaming," may seem like a death knell for other players in the cloud gaming space. However, Gaikai's David Perry recently told VentureBeat he's not too concerned with the future of his game-streaming company, saying, "We do not expect the general concept of remote gaming to be patentable, as many of us played remote games in the 70s, 80s and 90s." Should the patent stick, he added that Gaikai's focus on embeddable demos of PC games is far removed from OnLive's set top box business model, which should prevent any potential infringements.

Fellow game-streamer Otoy's CEO Jules Urbach also chimed in on the patent, saying, "We respect the valid intellectual property rights of others but we'd be surprised to see a valid patent issue today that would preempt the entire field of server-side rendered gaming." Wait, you can do that? Well, man, we've been wasting so much time. We patent ... um, sandwiches! And gardening! And pet supplies! And candy! We're going to be so super rich.

Gaikai, Otoy not worried about OnLive's cloud gaming patent originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices

JC Fletcher — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST

Akihabara News has discovered a series of patent applications from Sony Computer Entertainment America, all dealing with touch interfaces. One (#20100299595), for example, specifies an interface that uses "two-fingered touch" gestures for data manipulation, and even specifies that the touch interface may be separate from the main display -- like the "trackpad" thing on the back of the rumored PSP2.

Other suggested layouts in that application include a hypothetical design "wherein the first and second case portions are slidably connected to each other" and one "wherein the visual display and touch pad are disposed on the same side of the case." In fact, Sony covered its bases, listing every possible combination of screen and touch interface as a possibility.

Other patents deal with specifying a "buffer" region on the touch interface between active input areas, using touch on one input to activate zoom on the screen, and highlighting information on one screen in response to a touch, in order to disambiguate. It sounds like Sony is most interested in using touchscreen input to affect a separate display, which would suggest the rear-touchpad interface from that purported PSP2.

Sony files series of patents for two-finger touch devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple patent points to augmented reality shooter concept

Richard Mitchell — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST

A patent filed by Apple in April of 2009, recently published by the USPTO, reveals what appears to be a concept for an augmented reality game. Specifically, the document seeks to patent a method for two "interactive game devices" to share locational data and track each other in a "real world, interactive game environment." Using the "interactive game device" -- which looks a lot like an iPhone in the diagrams -- each player's real-world actions would be tracked and their positions would be relayed via an icon on the screen.

One of the included diagrams illustrates an AR shooter game as an example, and the patent text even mentions the possibility of a "gun" attachment. It's important to note that what Apple is attempting to patent is the method for creating such a game -- devices communicating and displaying their positions -- not the game concept itself. Assuming such a game were created, it certainly looks interesting. Think of it as Laser Tag for a new generation. Oh, wait.

Peruse the patent after the break.

Continue reading Apple patent points to augmented reality shooter concept

Apple patent points to augmented reality shooter concept originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Vitality Sensor detailed in patent application

JC Fletcher — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

What's your relax fluid level? You don't know -- you would if you were playing the hypothetical example game used in this Nintendo patent application for the Wii Vitality Sensor accessory (dug up by Siliconera). By playing minigames including one in which you tilt the Wiimote and breathe to navigate a winding path, players are supposed to increase the "relax fluid" in their virtual avatars. That "fluid" represents your cardiac cycle, presumably with more fluid indicating a slower heart rate.

In addition to this Innergy-like game, the Vitality Sensor patent also offers details of how the device works -- perhaps more details than we needed. Essentially, it sends an infrared light through your finger, measuring the amount of light-absorbing hemoglobin that passes through the beam. Hmm, does that hurt?

Wii Vitality Sensor detailed in patent application originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rock Band lawsuit settled; Konami and Harmonix dismiss 'all claims and counterclaims'

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Konami and Harmonix have settled their dispute originating in a 2008 lawsuit launched by Konami, reports Bloomberg. According to a filing in federal court in Texas this week, the two parties agreed to dismiss "all claims and counterclaims" in the suit, which alleged that Harmonix's Rock Band infringed upon patents owned by Konami.

Additionally, a 2009 countersuit by parent company Viacom on behalf of Harmonix was dropped yesterday in a filing in federal court in Boston. The terms of the agreement between Konami and Harmonix were not disclosed -- but we do so badly hope they involved a rooftop, two ninjas and a mean jam session.

Rock Band lawsuit settled; Konami and Harmonix dismiss 'all claims and counterclaims' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patent for last-gen console adapter surfaces

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The long and puzzling saga of the PS3's now removed backwards compatibility with PS2 games may have just added another chapter. Japanese tech site Gigazine recently uncovered a patent filed by Sony Japan in February 2009, which appears to outline an "adapter" that could serve as a bridge for older generation games (e.g., PS2 discs) to be played on current generation consoles (e.g., the PS3).

We've contacted Sony for a comment on the patent, which was filed before Sony's John Koller definitively struck down the possibility of backwards compatibility on the PS3 last August. It's worth noting that the filing doesn't explicitly state the device's use for PS2 games on PS3. But, c'mon, what else could it be talking about? A UMD adapter for the PSP Go? Actually, now that we think about it, that might just come in handy.

Sony patent for last-gen console adapter surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony patents multiplayer stereoscopic system

Mike Schramm — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Seeing two images to create a 3D picture is so earlier this year -- Sony has been working on a patent that sends two images from one video screen to two different people, allowing for two players to see different images on the same screen. Each player would need their own set of glasses (which would each pull off the right frames), which would then come with earphones for separate audio feeds, too.

You'd need a special 3D television to do it, but there are all kinds of cool applications -- one person in your house could watch a movie while the other plays games, or you could do local split-screen multiplayer without actually splitting the screen (as seen in the diagram above). The patent even allows for more than two players, and there's even an implementation that would actually send two images each to two players, creating separate 3D views for both viewers. Both patents were filed a year ago, and have just come to light now. As 3D televisions become more common, we'll have to see if Sony brings an actual implementation of this tech to the consumer market.

Sony patents multiplayer stereoscopic system originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo sued by exergaming company IA Labs

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST

Was it something we said? No sooner does Nintendo close the book on the two-year-old Anascape suit than does the prolific peripheral manufacturer get slapped with another legal challenge. Gamasutra has obtained documentation of a lawsuit filed against Nintendo, on April 2, by exergaming company InterAction Laboratories, a.k.a. IA Labs, a.k.a. Powergrid Fitness, for alleged patent infringement.

In typical dramatic legalese, the suit cries out that IA Labs has been "irreparably harmed" by Nintendo's violation of two of its patents through a long list of Wii products. Here goes: the Wii system itself and its primary controllers, the Wiimote and the Nunchuk, and the MotionPlus add-on; Wii Fit, its expansion pack, Wii Fit Plus, and its peripheral, the Balance Board; and the Wii Zapper. Phew! Are we forgetting anything?

Oh, yes -- the Wii Wheel. Uh-huh, that circular piece of plastic is allegedly infringing upon a patent for either (1) "Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral" or (2) "Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device." IA Labs claims that these two patents are used in a number of its products, including the Kilowatt Sport and Exer-Station controller. Both have won an award at separate CES events.

If you're real up on your Wii peripheral pitches, you will recall the Sqweeze, a ThighMaster-esque device for your hands, developed by IA Labs and introduced in late 2008. While a PC version appears to be available, the Wii iteration never made it to market, perhaps evidence that the relationship between IA Labs and Nintendo soured long ago. Documentation from the recent suit reveals emails from 2007-2008 between the two companies, which had once been in talks for IA Labs to license its technology to Nintendo.

Nintendo sued by exergaming company IA Labs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments