This month saw 7 filed hardware and devices patents across 5 entities, led by Nintendo with 3 filings, followed by Realtek Semiconductor, Dexin, Ivan Mauricio Buritica Suarez, and Nott with 1 each.
Nintendo's applications focus on modular game controller designs featuring magnetic attachments, removable components, and force-sensing accessories like the Ring-Con-style input device. The remaining filings cover diverse gaming hardware concepts, including Dexin's camera-based shooting game device that scores players through image detection, and Nott's helmet-mounted displays for competitive racing that show real-time stats and power-ups. Ivan Mauricio Buritica Suarez filed for a modular joystick system with swappable processing units designed for cross-platform control applications.
Nintendo received 3 patents covering modular controller designs with magnetic attachment systems. The first describes an accessory that magnetically attaches to a game controller and allows players to press the underlying buttons through the accessory's surface, combining grip customization with full button functionality through a pass-through mechanism. Another patent covers a Ring-Con-style accessory that measures squeeze and pull forces through elastic deformation, using strain gauge sensors integrated into a deformable ring structure that connects to standard controllers via a rail system. The third involves a controller with magnetic buttons that attach to a main console body, where the magnetic attraction between buttons and console-embedded magnets creates dynamic button behavior that changes based on attachment state while also serving as a locking mechanism.
Realtek Semiconductor received 1 patent for a camera-based shooting game device that scores players by analyzing the brightness of captured target images rather than relying on physical projectiles or infrared sensors. This approach simplifies the hardware architecture while supporting multiple gameplay manipulation methods through image analysis instead of traditional impact detection.
Dexin received 1 patent for a modular game controller featuring removable protruding grips and swappable expansion assemblies that connect electrically to the main controller body. The system allows users to swap expansion components without disassembling the entire controller, creating a customizable peripheral ecosystem.
Nott received 1 patent for a modular joystick system where the sensor hardware separates from the processing logic through swappable controller modules. This design enables a single joystick to work across vehicles, equipment, and gaming platforms by changing the processing unit rather than requiring dedicated joysticks for each application.
Ivan Mauricio Buritica Suarez received 1 patent for helmet and vehicle-mounted displays that show real-time player statistics, power-ups, and status information during competitive go-kart racing. The system makes digital game state information physically visible on racing vehicles and helmets, allowing players to see opponents' abilities and remaining lives during competition.