Topic: Nintendo Plans for 3DS Home Connectivity

[MegaByte]

Nintendo's consoles could know when you come home.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30902

A recently published patent application reveals Nintendo's plans for a system where the Wii detects Nintendo 3DS units in their proximity.

When returning home with a 3DS, the Wii (U)-connected television screen would announce the user's arrival and display the number of steps the user has taken since last leaving the house. Alternatively, the console's indicator light could flash. The system works by periodically checking for 3DS wireless communication. If the portable system has been out of communication for a set time, the home console considers that the user has left the house.

The system could also detect pedometer cheating, whereby users shake the system quickly to rack up their step count. If the count seems impossibly high for the amount of time that has passed, it will be considered cheating. Nintendo doesn't say whether there will be any penalty for doing this; it is strictly used to help decide whether the person has left the house.

While this feature has not been made available on the Wii, no special 3DS-Wii connectivity features have been utilized. The example drawing shows a DS system, which does not include an accelerometer for pedometer capabilities, but it is common for early patent diagrams to include previous system designs, a fact that is also true for many of the Wii U patent applications. It is possible that the function will appear on the Wii U, with its improved communication features. The application also provides for the possibility of notifying other devices, such as PCs and mobile phones.

The home console can download updates intended for the handheld. When the user returns home, the console sends updates to the 3DS, which is a feature previously mentioned as a possibility for the Wii U. Some possible updates mentioned include user-generated maps for racing games and contest results.

The application lists Yoshikazu Yamashita as the inventor. Yamashita has worked on games such as the Wii Sports series, the Flagship-developed Zelda games, and the Pikmin series. The patent was filed for on Dec. 10, 2010 in Japan and Oct. 5, 2011 in the US. It was published on Jun. 21, 2012.

[Loyb11]

No more cheating for me

[red14]

I can see a type of setup (and this is a stretch) when a Wii U and a 3ds connect, the information for the games played on the 3ds is transferred, and according to exactly what you may have done, you get trophies or achievements in a system on the Wii U that records Wii U and 3ds achievements. ..Maybe earn some points too or something. That would make me buy a Wii U for sure.

[joshnickerson]

Interesting.

I would like for the new Wii Fit to be able to access the 3DS's pedometer, rather than just the standard Wii Fit pedometer the game will likely ship with, since I'd be carrying my 3DS anyway; no need to have something else in my pocket along with it.

[Kairon]

It's not cheating! I'm really running in place right here in front of the TV! T_T

I mean, seriously, what if I have my 3DS on me while playing Wii Fit?

[joshnickerson]

Well, there's a difference between running in place and duct-taping the 3DS to the dryer.

[Sarail]

I go through a LOT of duct tape...

[Bman87301]

Again, the patent demonstrated a DSi communicating with a Wii. Assuming this ever is actually implemented, it may be safe to assume it'll be on later hardware... but I wouldn't say the 3DS is the safest assumption. The patent info seems to screaming  "Wii Fit U", which we already know will be packaged with its own pedometer. I'm thinking the pedometer will most likely be the handheld device the patent is referring to, rather than 3DS. After all, unlike with the 3DS, all Wii Fit U owners will own the pedometer. But who knows, maybe it'll support 3DS as an additional option as well.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Again, the patent demonstrated a DSi communicating with a Wii. Assuming this ever is actually implemented, it may be safe to assume it'll be on later hardware... but I wouldn't say the 3DS is the safest assumption. The patent info seems to screaming  "Wii Fit U", which we already know will be packaged with its own pedometer. I'm thinking the pedometer will most likely be the handheld device the patent is referring to, rather than 3DS. After all, unlike with the 3DS, all Wii Fit U owners will own the pedometer. But who knows, maybe it'll support 3DS as an additional option as well.

Maybe the 3DS will have an app or a system update to automatically sync with the home Wii U. I'm sure that uFit will only come with 1 pedometer, so it would be a convenience to allow the 3DS to be a backup, especially since it is already capable.