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AdropOFvenom · Dec 15, 2016

Wait, am I misunderstanding, or is the center piece on the Grip controller replaceable with your cell phone?

[0003] There are conventional controllers capable of accommodating an information processing device therein. For example, there is a controller capable of accommodating a mobile telephone by means of a left key plate and a right key plate. Specifically, the controller includes a spring for sliding one key plate toward the other key plate so that the mobile telephone is sandwiched between the left and right key plates, thereby accommodating the mobile telephone.

[0004] It is only the controller that includes a holding mechanism (i.e., the key plates), but the mobile telephone does not include a holding mechanism. Therefore, the controller can easily come off the mobile telephone.

^Grip controller without Battery Pack, cell phone insertable? 355a on the last one looks like a release button for the battery pack?

Might explain how they intend on doing a second screen experience in games such as Mario Maker where it's kinda essential.

Shahadan · Dec 15, 2016

BY2K said:
This is a HUGE piece of the puzzle.

But we knew this no?

KratosEnergyDrink · Dec 15, 2016

Plum said:
Yeah, if Nintendo is actually doing VR they're going to be going the "Gear VR of consoles" route instead of trying to compete with PSVR.

PSVR is the "GearVR" of consoles, only difference is that PSVR has lower resolution than GearVR (depends on the Mobile but true for almost all GearVR compatible phones). Oculus and especially Hive are technically much more advanced than Gear&PSVR.

Jonneh3003 · Dec 15, 2016

Metal B said:
One question still remains: how much will they cost? 15€ for each part would be great. I would Take the SNES and a GameCube One.

£20 is a good price with a £35 bundle. I would pay more for Gamecube or SNES branded ones without a doubt.

Plum · Dec 15, 2016

Metal B said:
One question still remains: how much will they cost? 15 for each part would be great. I would Take the SNES and a GameCube One.

15 for each would be way too cheap I think. There's a lot more going on in a Joy-Con than a Nunchuck and the latter sold for about that much brand new.

Kouriozan · Dec 15, 2016

Shahadan said:
It only just hits me how clever that thing is conceptually.

Stuffing all of this into an handheld is pretty amazing.

Toadthemushroom · Dec 15, 2016

How does Splatoon gyro work with the two split independent controllers, or is it only going to accept gyro input from the right-hand JoyCon, as if you were playing with pointer controls and the right stick at the same time?

I'm guessing if you use the pro controller or the middle piece to join two Joy-Con together it'll be like playing on Wii U, where you tilt an entire controller.

McNum · Dec 15, 2016

KingSnake said:
VR might be just future proofing a future revision. I don't see VR happening with a 720p screen.

Probably not, I doubt they're going to use a 3DS style 3D screen to split the image for each eye at that resolution for VR.

That said, though... Head tracking for a 2D screen has some potential, too. Consider the 3DS versions of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask and how you can use gyro controls to aim the bow (making the shooting galleries hilariously trivial) and think how that could work for an HMD. It mean it works fine without one, too, and I expect Breath of the Wild to have gyro aiming on Switch, too, but still... Just because it doesn't do true VR doesn't mean an HMD is useless.

Jonneh3003 · Dec 15, 2016

KingSnake said:
Sleep mode confirmed

You mean the pause button for Dark Souls is confirmed.

The Hermit · Dec 15, 2016

BY2K said:
This is a HUGE piece of the puzzle.

I wonder if there will be games that are only playable though the dock...

sir_bumble_bee · Dec 15, 2016

KingSnake said:
Sleep mode confirmed

I remember people saying the 3DS didn't have a "true" sleep mode?

Zalman · Dec 15, 2016

The Hermit said:
I wonder if there will be games that are only playable though the dock...

I bet Nintendo won't allow that.

Vesves · Dec 15, 2016

Loving this info. I wonder how much of the stuff we haven't even seen yet will be in launch units. So many capabilities. Eager for a tl;dr though with the highlights.

Skittzo0413 · Dec 15, 2016

Rösti;226640506 said:
I thought about including a disclaimer, I've done so in previous patent threads, but such seems to be ignored anyway mostly so I skipped it.

Yeah that's a good point. Anyway, this is one massive pgpub, kudos to you sifting through that for this thread!

AdropOFvenom said:
Wait, am I misunderstanding, or is the center piece on the Grip controller replaceable with your cell phone?

^Grip controller without Battery Pack, cell phone insertable? 355a on the last one looks like a release button for the battery pack?

Might explain how they intend on doing a second screen experience in games such as Mario Maker where it's kinda essential.

No that quote is from the background section, talking about the current state of the art in similar types of devices.

LordOcidax · Dec 15, 2016

The Hermit said:
I wonder if there will be games that are only playable though the dock...

Whats the point of that?

Jonneh3003 · Dec 15, 2016

Zalman said:
I bet Nintendo won't allow that.

Not only that but I don't think the dock's fan is going to allow for that much extra power.

Plum · Dec 15, 2016

KratosEnergyDrink said:
PSVR is the "GearVR" of consoles, only difference is that PSVR has lower resolution than GearVR (depends on the Mobile but true for almost all GearVR compatible phones). Oculus and especially Hive are technically much more advanced than Gear&PSVR.

You misunderstand. I was talking specifically abouy the console market, of which PSVR is currently the most expensive, most premium product. A Switch VR solution might be equivalent to the Gear VR when compared to the OR or Vive, a much cheaper alternative that isn't even trying to offer the same level of quality.

Biocoincoin · Dec 15, 2016

AdropOFvenom said:
Wait, am I misunderstanding, or is the center piece on the Grip controller replaceable with your cell phone?

Might explain how they intend on doing a second screen experience in games such as Mario Maker where it's kinda essential.

Clever ! This would be great !

KingSnake · Dec 15, 2016

AdropOFvenom said:
Wait, am I misunderstanding, or is the center piece on the Grip controller replaceable with your cell phone?

^Grip controller without Battery Pack, cell phone insertable? 355a on the last one looks like a release button for the battery pack?

Might explain how they intend on doing a second screen experience in games such as Mario Maker where it's kinda essential.

No. They just want to differentiate their patent from mobile controllers patents.

The battery pack is in the Joy-con grip.

Scrawnton · Dec 15, 2016

LordOcidax said:
Whats the point of that?

If the graphical capabilities between console mode and handheld mode are huge, some games may not be possible in handheld mode.

Remember that assassins creed thing where they said the main game would be played on the tv and the handheld mode would allow to do mini games or side content and everyone freaked out?

Vic · Dec 15, 2016

Multiplayer possiblilies on a single Switch (docked or undocked)

1 console = 2 players
2 console = 4 players

Effin' brilliant.

The Hermit · Dec 15, 2016

Zalman said:
I bet Nintendo won't allow that.

I know, It goes totally the main idea of the thing.

But maybe after a few years, after the Switch has already established enough sales.

I won't be surprised if that happens with the PS4Pro later too

Jonneh3003 said:
Not only that but I don't think the dock's fan is going to allow for that much extra power.

There's also that. The extra power is so negligible it doesn't make up for the lack of mobility

Metal B · Dec 15, 2016

Jonneh3003 said:
You mean the pause button for Dark Souls is confirmed.

I could see, that using sleep mode has a similar effect like quiting or turing off the game in Dark Souls.

Art.Menegatti · Dec 15, 2016

Jim_Cacher said:
Switch is basically DS + Wii + Wii U + Virtual Boy. Oh boy, I am really excited.

Fixed.

KingSnake · Dec 15, 2016

Toadthemushroom said:
How does Splatoon gyro work with the two split independent controllers, or is it only going to accept gyro input from the right-hand JoyCon, as if you were playing with pointer controls and the right stick at the same time?

I'm guessing if you use the pro controller or the middle piece to join two Joy-Con together it'll be like playing on Wii U, where you tilt an entire controller.

There is a gyro in the tablet itself which I guess it takes precedence when Joy-cons are attached.

Twenty7KVN · Dec 15, 2016

Damn that's a huge amount of detail good job as usual rosti. VR has me excited but i'm wondering the resolution of the screen because 720p might be to low for decent vr. But if they do release a hmd just give metroid prime with it and I'll be happy.

Skittzo0413 · Dec 15, 2016

The Hermit said:
I wonder if there will be games that are only playable though the dock...

The patent app does include embodiments where the nature of the game (rules, etc.) are changed when docked. That could be interesting for mini-games I guess.

Jim_Cacher · Dec 15, 2016

This is too much for me. It is so elegantly designed and how Nintendo stuff all those things into a handheld is mind-blowing even though they are only on paper (for now). I am going to bed soon, hopefully some fine gentlemen or ladies can write a summary before I wake up next morning.

ArtHands · Dec 15, 2016

Plum said:
You misunderstand. I was talking specifically abouy the console market, of which PSVR is currently the most expensive, most premium product. A Switch VR solution might be equivalent to the Gear VR when compared to the OR or Vive, a much cheaper alternative that isn't even trying to offer the same level of quality.

PSVR is also the least premium VR product on console too.

MarkMclovin · Dec 15, 2016

Are those buttons I'm seeing on the inside edge of each joycon? The bit that slides in?

Metal B · Dec 15, 2016

Vic said:
1 console = 2 players
2 console = 4 players

Effin' brilliant.

If you can buy multiple Joycon, you can use four of them at the same time. Technically you can play 4 Player Multiplayer anywhere as long as you have enough Joycons with you. Since they are small, this would be pretty awesome (of course you have to deal with the small Screen).

Enduin · Dec 15, 2016

MarkMclovin said:
Are those buttons I'm seeing on the inside edge of each joycon? The bit that slides in?

Yes.

Nintenleo · Dec 15, 2016

DoctorWho said:
I forgot to look for that. The assumption was that there might be a sensor bar at the top of the bezel that sticks out above the dock.

Anything about a camera?

Nope.

Colonel Mustard · Dec 15, 2016

Forgetting VR for a moment, would an HMD allow me to, say, play VC games in some sort of cinema mode, earphones plugged in, and allow me to tune out on a long car trip?

Plum · Dec 15, 2016

Vic said:
1 console = 2 players
2 console = 4 players

Effin' brilliant.

That and:

1 console with one pair of Joy-Cons = 2 players
1 console with two pairs of Joy-Cons = 4 players

Vic · Dec 15, 2016

Isn't a relatively high display refresh rate necessary for a decent VR experience?

JonnyDBrit · Dec 15, 2016

DoctorWho said:
I am assuming no on board storage capacity in this?

Didn't see this addressed, so:

[0397] The main unit 2 includes a first slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as "I/F") 91. The main unit 2 also includes a second slot I/F 92. The slot I/Fs 91 and 92 are connected to the CPU 81. The first slot I/F 91 is connected to the first slot 23, and reads and writes data from and to a storage medium of the first type (e.g., an SD card) inserted in the first slot 23, in response to an instruction from the CPU 81. The second slot I/F 92 is connected to the second slot 24, and reads and writes data from and to a storage medium of the second type (e.g., a dedicated memory card) inserted in the second slot 24, in response to an instruction from the CPU 81.

Slot 24 being this thing, on the bottom of the unit:

The Hermit · Dec 15, 2016

Skittzo0413 said:
The patent app does include embodiments where the nature of the game (rules, etc.) are changed when docked. That could be interesting for mini-games I guess.

Interesting.

Maybe the power difference between docked vs mobile is considerable.

There will be a lot of testing once the Switch comes out.

Xdrive05 · Dec 15, 2016

Y'know, these patents including the VR one would likely apply for Switch refreshes too. So in a few years the Switch Pro (or whatever) could have a 4K screen, making the VR function perfectly viable. Not sure the current one's 720p would look so hot for that purpose.

Nintenleo · Dec 15, 2016

Colonel Mustard said:
Forgetting VR for a moment, would an HMD allow me to, say, play VC games in some sort of cinema mode, earphones plugged in, and allow me to tune out on a long car trip?

Yes. Just don't drive though

oti · Dec 15, 2016

Colonel Mustard said:
Forgetting VR for a moment, would an HMD allow me to, say, play VC games in some sort of cinema mode, earphones plugged in, and allow me to tune out on a long car trip?

As long as Nintendo offers a cinema mode then sure. Question is whether you'd actually want to do that on a 720p screen. It wouldn't be pretty.

Plum · Dec 15, 2016

ArtHands said:
PSVR is also the least premium VR product on console too.

Maybe because its the only one...

EDIT: Sorry, you're a different person.

Bjoern the Smexy · Dec 15, 2016

So do the Joy-Cons actually have two shoulder buttons each? It somehow looked like they do.

If so that would be awesome and would give a lot more options in terms of button configurations.

AdropOFvenom · Dec 15, 2016

Skittzo0413 said:
Yeah that's a good point. Anyway, this is one massive pgpub, kudos to you sifting through that for this thread!

No that quote is from the background section, talking about the current state of the art in similar types of devices.

Ah, thats a letdown, that's a feature I would've liked to see. Still not sure how a Mario Maker Switch is supposed to work, IR pointer feels like it'd be annoying.

ZeroX03 · Dec 15, 2016

Vic said:
Isn't a relatively high display refresh rate necessary for a decent VR experience?

This isn't going to be a decent VR experience. If they do release a head mount for it, it'll be very entry level.

Bjoern the Smexy said:
So do the Joy-Cons actually have two shoulder buttons each? It somehow looked like they do.

If so that would be awesome and would give a lot more options in terms of button configurations.

Two shoulder buttons in both vertical and horizontal it seems!

L~A · Dec 15, 2016

Zalman said:
I bet Nintendo won't allow that.

Why wouldn't they? They never forced developers to use the GamePad (Wii U), so I don't see why they'd force anything with the Switch.

Though honestly, having dock-only games seem pointless, the dock is just a dock, and not a magical device that increase by 10 the power of the device.

Now, for handheld-mode only games, that's a different story.

Skittzo0413 · Dec 15, 2016

DoctorWho said:
I forgot to look for that. The assumption was that there might be a sensor bar at the top of the bezel that sticks out above the dock.

Anything about a camera?

They do mention the IR camera (68, figure 6) on the bottom of the right joycon, and say that it could be replaced with a visible light camera in other embodiments. They also make a general statement about cameras being possible as additional input devices.

Bjoern the Smexy said:
So do the Joy-Cons actually have two shoulder buttons each? It somehow looked like they do.

If so that would be awesome and would give a lot more options in terms of button configurations.

Yes they each have a shoulder, a trigger, and an L and R button on the side which slides into the tablet.

EDarkness · Dec 15, 2016

For as small as those joycons are, they have a ton of buttons on them. I'm interested in all of the different types of joycons they'll have available in the future. So many possibilities there.

Vic · Dec 15, 2016

ZeroX03 said:
This isn't going to be a decent VR experience. If they do release a head mount for it, it'll be very entry level.

Yeah, I'm not excepting much. It'll be a proof-of-concept feature more than an anything else.

Plum · Dec 15, 2016

AdropOFvenom said:
Ah, thats a letdown, that's a feature I would've liked to see. Still not sure how a Mario Maker Switch is supposed to work, IR pointer feels like it'd be annoying.

Seeing as it's entirely grid-based SMM would be a lot less annoying than say, Little Big Planet with an IR pointer.

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