This month's Hardware & Devices category includes 9 filed patents from 8 companies: Backbone Labs (2), Sony (2), Embracer Freemode (1), KOMUSE Co.
(1), Seven Towns (1), Helix Leisure Pte (1), and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (1). The filings cover gaming peripherals and input devices, including Backbone Labs' mobile game controllers optimized for smartphone attachment and battery management, Embracer Freemode's Hall Effect sensor technology for guitar controller fret buttons, and Helix Leisure's multi-mode turret controller that switches between turret and steering wheel configurations. Sony filed patents for drone swarms that project game visuals onto outdoor surfaces and technology enabling parked vehicles to interface with games through headlights, horns, and seats, while BMW described an in-car multiplayer system using door-panel screens connected via Ethernet. Additional filings include KOMUSE Co.'s ball-and-rail arcade cabinet, and Seven Towns' water-filled hydraulic pressure toy capsule game.
Sony received 2 patents that transform unexpected hardware into gaming displays and interfaces. The first describes a coordinated drone swarm that projects game visuals onto real-world outdoor surfaces, with each aerial unit contributing to a complete image and built-in redundancy if individual drones fail. The second creates a bidirectional connection between gaming software and a parked car's native systems, allowing game events to physically control headlights, horns, seats, and other automotive components as haptic feedback.
Helix Leisure Pte filed 1 patent for an arcade cabinet controller that reconfigures itself between turret and steering wheel modes through software-controlled axis restriction. The unified hardware platform eliminates the need for separate cabinets per game genre while providing haptic feedback across both shooting and driving simulation configurations, making it compatible with VR experiences.
Embracer Freemode received 1 patent describing Hall Effect sensors for guitar controller fret buttons. The contactless sensors replace mechanical switches to eliminate physical wear while providing analog position data instead of simple on/off signals, enabling configurable actuation thresholds and potentially velocity-sensitive input for music rhythm games.
Backbone Labs filed 2 patents addressing mobile gaming controller design challenges. One describes a removable charger that integrates with the controller body but can be detached, separating the charging component from the main unit rather than relying on fixed internal batteries. The other focuses on engineering input devices specifically for the spatial constraints of smartphone-attached controllers, maintaining full functionality in compact form factors without sacrificing usability.
Seven Towns received 1 patent for a water-filled toy capsule where characters float or sink based on hydraulic pressure changes. Players knock off a target seal to drain the water and defeat their opponent, using atmospheric pressure differential and water evacuation as the visual win/lose mechanic rather than electronic or mechanical scoring systems.
KOMUSE Co. filed 1 patent for a physical arcade cabinet where players strike a ball up a rail to land in rotating scored goal holes. The system combines a rotating annular goal plate with encoder-tracked hole positions and a rack-and-pinion ball supplier that automates ball delivery for continuous gameplay, with differentiated hole sizing and placement creating variable reward mechanics.
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft received 1 patent repurposing existing vehicle door-panel control screens as a networked multiplayer gaming platform. The system uses the vehicle's native Ethernet and WLAN gateway to synchronize gameplay across seats, turning passenger comfort control displays into networked game consoles without requiring additional dedicated hardware.
All data sourced from USPTO patent filings. Google Patents may take several weeks to index recent publications. If a link is unavailable, search for the patent number at USPTO Patent Public Search.