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[JonnyDBrit]

Are shoulder buttons confirmed for the Joycons?

Both kinds.

 

[Plum]

Sifting through this hurts my brain. Does this or does it not confirm analog triggers?

Also, do we have any information about the Pro Controller? I'm curious if it will feature gyro controls as well.

Analog triggers are practically 100% confirmed on the Joy-Cons when in the handheld and both-halves modes. The ones on the Joy-Cons when playing with one of them (for multiplayer) are likely digital buttons.

 

[Xdrive05]

Despite the recent reports missing the mark on manufacturing process it seems clear that we are getting an updated Maxwell but I would love to be wrong

What was that about reports on manufacturing process? Has it been confirmed yet?

16nm Maxwell would be fine, if that's what it ends up being.

 

[Skittzo0413]

So you were expecting a USB adapter for the dock to plug in Ethernet and then have that network information transmitted through the USB C while it was also transmitting power and high quality video?

100% unrealistic. Not gonna happen.

I'm just telling you what the patent application explicitly says:

[0560] Note that differences between settings in the portable mode and those in the console mode are not limited to those described above. For example, in other embodiments, the information processing device 1 may impose only one of the limitations (a) and (b) described above in the portable mode. For example, in other embodiments, the information processing system may use different communication methods for the communication with external devices via a network (e.g., the Internet) (in other words, may switch between different communication methods) in the portable mode and in the console mode. For example, consider a case in which a predetermined network connection device is connected to the cradle 5, the predetermined network connection device having a function of connecting to and communicating with the network. In such a case, in the portable mode, the information processing device 1 may communicate with the network using the network communication section 82. On the other hand, in the console mode, the information processing device 1 may communicate with the network via the cradle 5 and the network connection device.

Thanks for the summary. Is the central grip picture showing that it just has an optical path to display the lights on each joycon rather than inbuilt lights? Implies it probably doesn't work as a charger if so.

It says it can work as both:

[0748] The extension grip 350 includes elements for allowing a user to see the light from the indicator LEDs of the controllers attached thereto. The indicator LED of each of the controllers 3 and 4 may be lit to indicate the number assigned to the controller, or may be lit to indicate the remaining battery level of the controller. In such a case, with the configuration described above, a user can see the light from the indicator LED of each controller even if the controller is attached to the extension grip 350. This will be described below in detail.

[0774] The extension grip 350 described above can be used as a charging device for the controllers. For example, when the battery of a controller has run out when the controller is used while removed from the main unit 2, a user can attach the controller to the extension grip 350 with an AC adaptor, etc., connected to the power terminal 360 thereof to charge the controller.

That would not work.

That IR camera is another gimmick we do not know yet.

I guess. We have some speculation that it could be used to scan QR codes.

Are shoulder buttons confirmed for the Joycons?

Yes, see my list posted on the previous page.

 

[Hermii]

I want a game starring patent drawing guy.

 

[Graphics Horse]

It says it can work as both.

Cool, thanks!

 

[Vic]

So you were expecting a USB adapter for the dock to plug in Ethernet and then have that network information transmitted through the USB C while it was also transmitting power and high quality video?

100% unrealistic. Not gonna happen.

The USB Type-C standard includes support for video+audio, power and data all at once.

 

[Scrawnton]

I'm just telling you what the patent application explicitly says:





It says it can work as both:





I guess. We have some speculation that it could be used to scan QR codes.



Yes, see my list posted on the previous page.

Is USB C even capable of transmitting internet data, power to recharge battery, and 60fps high quality video with no latency all at the same time?

 

[Somnid]

Is USB C even capable of transmitting internet data, power to recharge battery, and 60fps high quality video with no latency all at the same time?

Yes. Though it's more USB 3.1 standard that underlies it, type-c is just the modern connector.

 

[Vic]

Is USB C even capable of transmitting internet data, power to recharge battery, and 60fps high quality video with no latency all at the same time?

Yes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Type-C#Alternate_Mode

"USB 3.1 can be transmitted simultaneously when the video signal bandwidth requires two or less lanes"

See the second example:

 

[Blastoise]

Touchscreen, Joy-Con Grip extra battery, and a HMD implementation. Good Nintendo.

 

[KingSnake]

A bit disappointed to see no Bluetooth support, I much prefer using my Wireless headphones to play games with.

How can you tell there's no Bluetooth support? The Joy-cons are connecting via Bluetooth when detached.

 

[KelpPlankton]

Glad the Joycons seem to have shoulder buttons so we get at least a full SNES controller layout with those (with a stick instead of a d-pad). Means that playing Smash Bros on a joycon won't be an issue, since it has a stick as well as enough buttons.

 

[peterclark1985]

How can you tell there's no Bluetooth support? The Joy-cons are connecting via Bluetooth when detached.

Where in the Patents does it show that?

 

[Throwaway123456789]

The patent specifically mentions using the IR sensor (which seems very advanced) to log you in based on the VEINS in your hand! And measuring your pulse!

 

[KingSnake]

Where in the Patents does it show that?

[0590] In step S12, the CPU 81 executes a pairing process for enabling wireless communication with a controller sensed to have been detached. The pairing process in the present embodiment may be similar to a pairing process of a conventional communication technique in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Note that in the present embodiment, a controller executes the pairing process in response to being removed from the main unit 2, the details of which will be described later. Thus, the main unit 2 and the controller are paired together, establishing a wireless connection therebetween. Following step S12, step S13 is executed.

While there is no particular limitation on the communication scheme between the main unit 2 and the controllers, the controller communication section 83 communicates with the controllers in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard in the present embodiment.

.

 

[Blam]

Damn that's pretty fucking cool.

 

[peterclark1985]

.

Awesome must have missed that hopefully it can be used for wireless headphones.

 

[brochiller]

Yes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Type-C#Alternate_Mode

"USB 3.1 can be transmitted simultaneously when the video signal bandwidth requires two or less lanes"

See the second example:

Thanks for this. USB 3.1 is amazing.

 

[Vic]

Thanks for this. USB 3.1 is amazing.

It's the Type-C standard that allows all this multiplicity of signals with only a single cable, not USB 3.1. The transmitted USB signals could be 2.0 and/or 3.0.

 

[PSGames]

I think they've only patented the VR HMD just in case a third party wants to create an addon, then they need to pay a licensing fee. At least for the current Switch, VR makes no sense.

Because of 720p resolution?

The Switch will be plenty powerful enough for a decent VR implementation. Especially compared to Gear VR and the like.

 

[NightwingRebirth]

The patent specifically mentions using the IR sensor (which seems very advanced) to log you in based on the VEINS in your hand! And measuring your pulse!

Nintendo coming through with that QoL tech. Damn, they could make an all new Wii Fit with this stuff, just need the all new Balance Board. Just, you know, not called "Wii Fit."

Switch Fit? idk

 

[Aonuma]

A couple concerns I have with this:

• nowhere does it say that ZL/ZR are anything more than regular buttons (non-analog)
• there is also no mention of the analog sticks being clickable or having buttons underneath

I'm not sure if those things are normally mentioned in patents or not but I think it'd be at least worth mentioning considering how specific everything else is. The only comfort I get from this is that the Wii U GamePad patent had the circle pads instead of proper analog sticks and that didn't stop them from upgrading it for the retail release.

 

[cw_sasuke]

VR will be a thing on Switch - sooner or later just dont expect it on the first-gen devices launch next March. Late 2018 or early 2019 for second-gen devices is more likely.

 

[sir_bumble_bee]

A couple concerns I have with this:

• nowhere does it say that ZL/ZR are anything more than regular buttons (non-analog)
• there is also no mention of the analog sticks being clickable or having buttons underneath

I'm not sure if those things are normally mentioned in patents or not but I think it'd be at least worth mentioning considering how specific everything else is. The only comfort I get from this is that the Wii U GamePad patent had the circle pads instead of proper analog sticks and that didn't stop them from upgrading it for the retail release.

I'd be very surprised if clickable analog sticks weren't a thing, considering the Wii U gamepad had them

 

[jwillenn]

How do people expect to use the IR pointer in FPS as just an aiming tool when its on the bottom of the right Joycon? Would you hold it upside down even though you'd lose the ability to hit the two triggers?

A major concern, for sure. I have thought of schemes for games that wouldn't really need them.
You could fire (primary and secondary) with the left triggers, which would come with an advantage over the norm that was firing with the B Trigger with the standard Mote and Chuk duo. Pressing B while aiming came with an additional "jar" effect. If you're firing with a Left trigger while merely IR aiming via the Right JoyCon, that effect is eliminated.

But I'm really curious about the bumper buttons. IF at least one bumper is comfortably accessible while a JoyCon is oriented vertically/remote style, flipped or not, then you'd have two buttons to replace the two shoulders (Bumper Left JoyCon + Bumper Right JoyCon).

 

[QuantumSquid]

Just looking at these pictures gets me excited. March can't come soon enough!

 

[Somnid]

The patent specifically mentions using the IR sensor (which seems very advanced) to log you in based on the VEINS in your hand! And measuring your pulse!

It's cool but I don't see mention of an LED which would probably be necessary to do that.

 

[Vital Tundra]

A couple concerns I have with this:

• nowhere does it say that ZL/ZR are anything more than regular buttons (non-analog)
• there is also no mention of the analog sticks being clickable or having buttons underneath

I'm not sure if those things are normally mentioned in patents or not but I think it'd be at least worth mentioning considering how specific everything else is. The only comfort I get from this is that the Wii U GamePad patent had the circle pads instead of proper analog sticks and that didn't stop them from upgrading it for the retail release.

Well rumors state there is a GC VC wich is very likely. And if they want Sunshine they have to have analog triggers.

 

[Genio88]

Woah lot of details out of nowhere! Most are things we already knew or suspected though there is spme really surpricing stuff there like the VR, what is nintendo thinking it'd be so awful with 720p display...
I hope someone will be able to find other stuff in there, like RAM, Battery or GPU related details

 

[mourad louali]

I'd be very surprised if clickable analog sticks weren't a thing, considering the Wii U gamepad had them

The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the analog stick 32 is provided on the primary surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 is an example of a directional input section allowing a user to input a direction. The analog stick 32 includes a stick member that can be tilted in any direction (i.e., 360.degree. directions including the upper, lower, left, right and diagonal directions) parallel to the primary surface of the housing 31. A user can tilt the stick member to make a direction input based on the tilt direction (and a magnitude input based on the tilt angle). Note that the directional input section may also be a cross-shaped key, a slide stick, or the like. A slide stick is an input section including a stick member that can be slid in any direction parallel to the primary surface of the housing 31, and a user can slide the stick member to make an input based on the slide direction (and a magnitude input based on the slide amount). In the present embodiment, a user can also make an input by pressing down the stick member (in a direction vertical to the housing 31). That is, the analog stick 32 is an input section that allows a user to make a direction input and a magnitude input based on the tilt direction and the tilt amount, respectively, of the stick member, and also to make a push input by pressing down the stick member.

The sticks are clickable

 

[marc^o^]

That's what I had in mind when posting in the great industrial design switch thread.
Knowing we learnt here more things about clever battery recharge and HMD.

I love everything about this project.

 

[Throwaway123456789]

Here's the bit about the vein detection:

The main unit 2 can also capture an image of a hand of a user (specifically, the vein pattern of the hand) by means of the infrared image-capturing section 123, to thereby authenticate (specifically, by vein authentication) a user based on the captured image. Moreover, the main unit 2 can also measure the pulse of a user by capturing an image of a hand of the user by means of the infrared image-capturing section 123. That is, where infrared light output onto and reflected by a hand of a user is detected by the infrared image-capturing section 123, the main unit 2 can calculate the pulse of the user based on changes in the reflected waves.

 

[brochiller]

That's what I had in mind when posting in the great industrial design switch thread.
Knowing we learnt here more things about clever battery recharge and HMD.

I love everything about this project.

Whats this about the battery charging?

 

[sir_bumble_bee]

The sticks are clickable

wellthereitsis.gif

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Here's the bit about the vein detection:

Its back!! lol

 

[Skittzo0413]

That's what I had in mind when posting in the great industrial design switch thread.
Knowing we learnt here more things about clever battery recharge and HMD.

I love everything about this project.

I completely agree, the amount of clever engineering that went into this device on purely a mechanical level is staggering.

 

[Kikorin]

Good thing eventually for VR would be that at 720p resolution and with the powerful Switch hardware (for a portable) we could have pretty good games. I've used for some time my old Galaxy s3 with 720p screen on google-cardboard like visor that I bought for like 20€ and was not that bad, problem was that there wasn't good enough games or "experiences" to get me involved for more than a week.

 

[llehuty]

Vein authentication looks like some hardcore sci-fi stuff. Love it.

 

[RoadHazard]

Split-screen multiplayer in BotW confirmed!

 

[Waji]

First time I'm hyped for a system, not just games.
Though of course, games are far above on the hype meter.

 

[PSqueak]

Really? 4 player split screen.

The idea is you do it on a TV, but the whole console's gimmick is that anything you can do on your living room you can do it on the go, so why wouldn't split screen be the same? Sure, impractical as fuck, but it would be weirder if it didn't have the function.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

Is there a summary of all the info here?

 

[Aonuma]

Okay, the sticks are clickable, not sure how I missed it on my first read:

[0166] The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the analog stick 32 is provided on the primary surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 is an example of a directional input section allowing a user to input a direction. The analog stick 32 includes a stick member that can be tilted in any direction (i.e., 360' directions including the upper, lower, left, right and diagonal directions) parallel to the primary surface of the housing 31. A user can tilt the stick member to make a direction input based on the tilt direction (and a magnitude input based on the tilt angle). Note that the directional input section may also be a cross-shaped key, a slide stick, or the like. A slide stick is an input section including a stick member that can be slid in any direction parallel to the primary surface of the housing 31, and a user can slide the stick member to make an input based on the slide direction (and a magnitude input based on the slide amount). In the present embodiment, a user can also make an input by pressing down the stick member (in a direction vertical to the housing 31). That is, the analog stick 32 is an input section that allows a user to make a direction input and a magnitude input based on the tilt direction and the tilt amount, respectively, of the stick member, and also to make a push input by pressing down the stick member.

 

[MoonFrog]

Was that a stylus inside the tablet when they showed that little stick inside?! I like stylus control, but can't really tell and they didn't draw it coming out or anything.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Was that a stylus inside the tablet when they showed that little stick inside?! I like stylus control, but can't really tell and they didn't draw it coming out or anything.

That's the stand, looks a bit different irl.

 

[Bert]

VR looks cool even if it's Virtual Boy level.

Does anyone techy know how it's likely to stack up to mobile games? Would Google Daydream ports be possible (ignoring things like screen quality)

 

[BY2K]

Here's the bit about the vein detection:

OMG this is the vitality sensor reborn!

 

[MoonFrog]

That's the stand, looks a bit different irl.

Ah okay. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Skittzo0413]

Is there a summary of all the info here?

This is a non-exhaustive list of things which have been rumored that are now confirmed.

This confirms:

• Shoulder buttons on the connection portion of the joycons
• IR camera at the bottom of the right joycon
• Fan inside the tablet, can run at lower RPM when portable
• Downclock when in portable mode
• Possible to connect to a wired internet connection when docked
• 4 joycons usable on one Switch
• Different types of joycons (with D-pad, etc.)
• Possibly usable in a VR HMD
• Joycon grip can charge joycons
• Joycon grip LED displays can display both player number and battery remaining
• Joycon motion controls and vibration confirmed

Probably more, but that's what I can think of now.