Before you get your hopes up, virtual ranging has nothing to do with 3d.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-voice-gaming-patents-revealed-152510.php
Here is the abstract from one of the patents:
Aggressive words? :lol
Looks like some interesting ideas, especially the context-sensitive chat conversion. I hope this means Nintendo is seriously considering voice-over-ip gaming for their online service.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-voice-gaming-patents-revealed-152510.php
Two new patent applications have shown up on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website. According to Kotakuite Psyclone, Both were filed by Nintendo of America in July 2004 but didnt show up on the website until today.
The first application deals with a voice converting system for remote video game play. Think Nintendogs, but taken one step further by displaying the spoken words in actual text. Moreover, the text changes and is given distinct characteristics depending on how the words are uttered. For example, if you speak a word more loudly than others, it will appear in large font.
The other application is voice chat having amplitude-based virtual ranging. What does that mean? If your character is far away and I want to say something to you, I have to speak more loudly so my voice actually carries over to you.
Both applications sound interesting. Whether they see the light of day or be a part of the Revolution, who the heck knows? Not me. Im just curious why both involve shouting.
Here is the abstract from one of the patents:
A multi-player networked video game playing system including for example video game consoles analyzes speech to vary the font size and/or color of associated text displayed to other users. If the amplitude of the voice is high, the text displayed to other users is displayed in a larger than normal font. If the voice sounds stressed or is aggressive words are used, the text displayed to other users is displayed using a special font such as red color. Other analysis may be performed on the speech in context to vary the font size, color, font type and/or other display attributes.
Aggressive words? :lol
Looks like some interesting ideas, especially the context-sensitive chat conversion. I hope this means Nintendo is seriously considering voice-over-ip gaming for their online service.