Nintendo Patents Watch

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Knowledge-based discourse

Detecting Direction

Nintendo Patent WO2023157241 describes using the phase difference between 2+ wireless antennas to estimate the direction of a controller near the console.

Drawing from patent WO2023157241: [図6] 本実施の形態に従うシステムの方向測定の原理を説明するための図である。

One use case is to correctly represent player locations in the game, even when they move IRL.

Drawing from patent WO2023157241: [図11] 本実施の形態に従うシステムのゲーム装置が立脚モードにおいて出力する画面例を示す模式図である。

Since Switch 1 only has one Bluetooth antenna, I paid this patent no mind when it was published in 2023. Last month the patent was granted, and it reminded me that NS2 has two BT antennas now. However, there’s no report of such a feature yet, so it’s unclear if the console is equipped with the required hardware to support it.

Nintendo Patents Watch ‪@ninpatentswatch.bsky.social‬ Home Explore 5 Notifications Chat Feeds Lists Saved Profile Settings New Post Search Discover Following More feeds Trending Diane Keaton Mariners Caturday Jared Leto Kid Rock Mariners Feedback • Privacy • Terms • Help Drawing from patent WO2023157241: [図9] 本実施の形態に従うシステムの近距離通信部の構成例を示す模式図である。 Drawing from patent WO2023157241: [図9] 本実施の形態に従うシステムの近距離通信部の構成例を示す模式図である。

[Speculation] Beyond detecting controller directions, the patent might be adapted for detecting the positions of nearby consoles. Nintendo’s been doing R&D in second-/multi-screen display, and in smaller/simpler (and cheaper?) devices too. May all these converge somehow?

From Patent JP2025120899: 【図7】第１のシステム構成において表示されるゲーム画像の一例を示す図
From patent US20250261319: FIG. 16 shows an exemplary illustrative non-limiting drawing of a schematic front view showing a configuration of the electronic device in a second connection state.
Drawing from patent JP202592793: Patent image showing multiple devices being put together to form a larger display
Device general layout patent https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2025094364

[Originally posted on 2025-09-07 Pacific Time]