Topic: New Wii U Patents (Universal Remote Functions)

[BlackNMild2k1]

7 New Patents from Nintendo
http://uspto.com/7_Nintendo_Patents

A controller system includes a terminal device 7, and an input device 200 as an additional device which can be attached to and detached from the terminal device 7. The controller device 7 includes a generally plate-shaped housing 50, and an LCD 51 provided on the front side of the housing. The input device 200 includes an operation section such as a stick 204, a bar-shaped first grip portion 200a, and a support portion 205. The support portion 205 detachably supports the terminal device 7 so that the screen of the LCD 51 is in a generally vertical direction when the first grip portion 200a is in the vertical direction.

A terminal device 7 includes a generally plate-shaped housing 50, an LCD 51 provided on the front side of the housing, analog sticks 53A and 53B, a second L button 54K, and a second R button 54L. The analog sticks 53A and 53B are provided respectively in left and right portions of the LCD 51 above the center of the housing 50. The second L button 54K and the second R button 54L are provided on the back side of the housing 50 so as to generally correspond to the analog sticks 53A and 53B on the front side of the housing 50.

link to the pics (including a diagram of Wii U innards)
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20120108329.pdf


notice the 3 memory pools.  11d, 11e & 12
Internal main memory, external main memory and VRAM.

uMote stand


Gun grips

[BlackNMild2k1]

Universal Remote Functions Found in Patent!!!

[0197] The housing 50 includes a window 63 through which an infrared signal from an infrared communication module 82 is emitted to the outside of the terminal device 7. The window 63 is herein provided on the upper side surface of the housing 50 so that the infrared signal is emitted in a forward direction of the user when the user holds the opposing sides of the LCD 51. In other embodiments, the window 63 may be provided at any position such as, for example, on the back surface of the housing 50

That means the little black window ontop of the remote is an IR emitter. Not a Wiimote style camera for seeing the sensor bar.

[0377] The game system 1 may be such that the infrared remote controller signal for the television 2 can be outputted from an infrared emitter (e.g., the marker device 6, the marker section 55 or the infrared communication module 72). Then, the game device 3 can perform an operation on the television 2 by outputting the infrared controller signal from the infrared emitter in accordance with an operation on the terminal device 7. In such a case, since the user can operate the television 2 by using the terminal device 7 without operating the remote controller of the television 2, it is convenient when, for example, switching the input of the television 2 from one to another as described above.

Control of the TV from the uMote is now confirmed!!

[0349] (Operation Example where System Cooperates with TV Broadcasting)

[0350] The game system 1 can also operate in cooperation with TV broadcasting when a TV broadcast is being watched on the television 2. That is, when a TV program is being watched on the television 2, the game system 1 can output on the terminal device 7 information regarding the TV program, etc. An operation example in which the game system 1 operates in cooperation with TV broadcasting will now be described.

[0351] In the operation example described above, the game device 3 can communicate with a server via a network (in other words, the external device 191 shown in FIG. 31 is the server). The server stores, for each channel of TV broadcasting, various information relating to TV broadcasting (TV information). The TV information may be program-related information such as subtitles and cast information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, or information to be broadcast as a data broadcast. The TV information may be images, sounds, text, or information of a combination thereof. The number of servers does not need to be one, a server may be provided for each channel or each program of TV broadcasting, and the game device 3 may be able to communicate with the servers.

TVGuide functionality here we come.

I'm so glad Nintendo didn't overlook that obvious function of the uMote. Now if you can stream the TV/Cable to the pad that would also be great. Would be useful when you want to watch something with headphones or carry the Sports game to the bathroom/kitchen with you so you don't miss a moment.

[Caterkiller]

Hooray! This is great! Is there anything like this offered on the other systems that I could compare it too?

So far no bone headed moves right? Is Nintendo still on track for their most well rounded system yet, in terms of functions?

Just a few weeks longer...

[BlackNMild2k1]

Well, from everything we've been hearing, the only thing Nintendo didn't do right so far was not changing the name, not including 8GB of RAM, not packing in a 1TB HDD, not basing the GPU on 2 SLI'd GT580's to run Samaritan demo in real time without breaking a sweat & not pricing the console for $149.99 with 4 uMotes and 4 wiimote++'s in the box.

and I almost forgot that they didn't team up with Apple to make the uMote more iPad-ish.

But other than all that, so far so good.

[MegaByte]

The universal remote stuff was in the previous patent applications (it's a verbatim copy) :-p

[BlackNMild2k1]

you know what, I think that's the 2nd time I overlooked that same thing when I was the one to first point out the patent in the first place.

I think its just that I continually want to think that Nintendo will forget/omit such an obvious feature, and even though they have patented its use, they still, for some reason will not include it.

So saying that, I will probably still be excited about it the next time it pops up. and just as excited when/if they actually reveal it as a system feature.

[Uncle_Optimus]

I'm so glad Nintendo didn't overlook that obvious function of the uMote. Now if you can stream the TV/Cable to the pad that would also be great. Would be useful when you want to watch something with headphones or carry the Sports game to the bathroom/kitchen with you so you don't miss a moment.

As long as there is a Wii U app that provides that content, you can stream it to your U-tab. This means Netflix and Hulu and whatever version of Nintendo Video are near sure-things (and hopefully will be available Day 1) but sports may need a new ESPN or MLB/NFL/NBA app.

On a another note, I remember seeing your post on NeoGAF about Nintendo's past collaborative OS research with Google. Some fork of Android (or Chrome!) on Wii U has been a favorite rumor of mine to ruminate on, thx for all the legwork.

[Oblivion]

Well, from everything we've been hearing, the only thing Nintendo didn't do right so far was not changing the name, not including 8GB of RAM, not packing in a 1TB HDD, not basing the GPU on 2 SLI'd GT580's to run Samaritan demo in real time without breaking a sweat & not pricing the console for $149.99 with 4 uMotes and 4 wiimote++'s in the box.

and I almost forgot that they didn't team up with Apple to make the uMote more iPad-ish.

But other than all that, so far so good.

I think you're asking of too much.

[BlackNMild2k1]

It was sarcasm. I think your detector is broken.

[Oblivion]

So was mine.


No, It wasn't. I'm not very good at detecting online sarcasm.

[bustin98]

The problem is the patent isn't describing the tv signal going through the WiiU in a way that the WiiU is a media extender, only that it somehow works with the tv to detect the channel and display appropriate information based on that information. So far we haven't seen anything to suggest a coaxial port on the WiiU, so what other methods are there to make this happen? Perhaps it is a media extender and works with a number of media center software, allowing you to watch tv over your home network. Though that seems a bit far fetched for Nintendo, though I would love it as my tv does come in through a media center and I watch it using my 360.

Would another option be through HDMI? Do devices connected through HDMI have access to the status of the tv when other inputs are in use? Perhaps not as this could raise privacy concerns.

Or maybe even though the term 'broadcast' is used, its being taken too literal and it will show details of Netflix and Hulu.

[BlackNMild2k1]

 I know my sony dvd player will control my Panasonic tv through the HDMI connection and vice versa. So if the Wii U happen to have an hdmi in and an hdmi out it would be possible to pass the cable box info through the wii u before it gets to the tv.

[Kidlat404]

awesome!!

[Louieturkey]

I know my sony dvd player will control my Panasonic tv through the HDMI connection and vice versa. So if the Wii U happen to have an hdmi in and an hdmi out it would be possible to pass the cable box info through the wii u before it gets to the tv.

That connection is not set up to allow a tv stream though.  It's only set up to be able to control the tv.   The only way to be able to do the streaming idea would be for Nintendo to sign a deal with a cable/satellite company like M$ did with Comcast and be able to watch your tv over your WiiU directly.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Yes, but if the WiiU was the box between your tv and everything else, then physically it should be technically possible to stream any of those contents to the uMote.

[NWR_insanolord]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

[Ceric]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

If it is just passing it through I think it will be minimal.  Though that might me limiting you PS3/360 output to 480p, Stereo.

[bustin98]

The technical descriptions though make it sound like the stream comes directly from CPU, meaning any outside source would have to be processed first. Maybe being just a video and sound it wouldn't take much, but there would certainly be lag, and I bet it would be big enough where you wouldn't want to play certain games on it.

[Ceric]

The technical descriptions though make it sound like the stream comes directly from CPU, meaning any outside source would have to be processed first. Maybe being just a video and sound it wouldn't take much, but there would certainly be lag, and I bet it would be big enough where you wouldn't want to play certain games on it.

It could still be just passed along if its using the same protocol making the lag minimal.

[Kairon]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

Oh dear god. OH DEAR GOD. If it was ever capable of doing this then... oh dear god.

[Louieturkey]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

Have we confirmed whether the uMote will have an 8mm headphone jack?

[Ceric]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

Have we confirmed whether the uMote will have an 8mm headphone jack?

I'm fairly sure we have.

[Louieturkey]

What you could do then is instead of plugging your cable box into it, plug in a 360 or PS3, so you can play those games on the tablet too. Lag might be too much of an issue, though.

Have we confirmed whether the uMote will have an 8mm headphone jack?

I'm fairly sure we have.

It makes sense if it does have one.  I just don't remember it ever being discussed.

[MegaByte]

It had one last E3.

[Louieturkey]

It had one last E3.

Okay.  Good to know.