Hardware & Devices

Sony received 8 patents covering a wide range of controller and display technologies. Their arcade-style fight stick filings address multiple aspects of the same hardware category: one covers a button pad angled between 1 and 60 degrees relative to the controller base to replicate the ergonomics of a traditional arcade cabinet, another introduces a user-accessible swappable gate system that lets players change joystick movement patterns without tools, a third covers a microswitch-based digital joystick attached to the shaft via pins or set screws, and a fourth replaces those switches with magnetic sensors for true analog input. A fifth fight stick patent addresses a selective button-locking mechanism that disables system-level buttons like the home button during play without affecting action inputs. Beyond controllers, Sony filed a patent for a drone swarm that collectively forms a repositionable aerial projection surface capable of rendering real-time game video outdoors, another for a bidirectional software bridge that lets game events physically actuate components inside a parked vehicle such as headlights, horn, and seats, and a final patent for a flat optical sensor panel that detects pre-touch gestures and can be reconfigured into any button layout in software, removing the constraint of fixed physical buttons entirely.

Nintendo received 7 patents spanning controller construction, input mechanisms, and accessory design. On the hardware side, 1 patent covers a single-piece controller housing where the body and grips are manufactured together to eliminate the seams that typically run along grip areas, and another details rear grip buttons shaped to conform to the natural resting position of fingers along curved surfaces. A third filing introduces a modular internal assembly where each grip contains its own substrate, vibration motor, and button detection components as a self-contained unit. Separate from housing and ergonomics, Nintendo filed a patent for a magnetic button system where buttons on a detachable module interact with magnets embedded in the console body, using that attraction both to lock the attachment mechanically and to influence button resistance or height. An accessory patent covers a deformable ring structure with strain gauges that connects to a standard controller via a rail, capturing squeeze and pull forces as analog input. Another accessory patent describes a magnetic pass-through system where precisely positioned magnets inside an overlying attachment allow the user to press the underlying controller buttons through the accessory surface without direct contact. Finally, Nintendo filed a patent replacing the rubber-switch mechanism inside a directional pad with optical sensors positioned on the outer side of the detection target, maintaining tactile feedback through a mechanical stopper while eliminating the physical contact switches.

Qanba USA received 2 patents, both focused on the input layout and remapping capabilities of arcade-style fighting game controllers. The first covers a button remapping system where logical switch identifiers displayed on the controller correspond one-to-one with physical buttons, allowing players to swap functions in real time without pausing or accessing console menus, with indicator lights confirming each change. The second patent addresses the physical arrangement of those buttons, specifically an asymmetric dual-zone layout with arc-shaped patterns for each hand, positioned at non-perpendicular angles to match the natural movement arc of fingers rather than the conventional grid layout seen on standard arcade sticks.

Backbone Labs received 2 patents addressing the physical design of mobile game controllers. One covers a handheld controller form factor that accommodates a removable charging component, allowing the battery element to detach from the controller body rather than being permanently integrated. The other focuses on systematically engineering input devices for the spatial constraints that come with attaching a controller directly to a smartphone, targeting full-featured functionality within a compact configuration.

Acco Brands received 2 patents covering controller customization through both physical and electrical means. One describes swappable controller faceplates with embedded NFC chips that automatically trigger profile loading when a new faceplate is attached, removing the need for manual software-side configuration changes. The other covers a dual USB-C port design that allows the controller to receive power while simultaneously passing that power to connected accessories, with the additional function of replacing the legacy 3.5mm port with a USB-C connection that handles both data and power.

Shenzhen Qanba Technology Development received 1 patent for an ergonomic keyboard layout intended for gaming controllers, arranging keys in gradually ascending arc-shaped patterns with spacing calibrated to match the natural resting and movement positions of both hands, and including enlarged keys at specific positions alongside non-function keys placed above the primary control row.

Push-Run Holdings received 1 patent for a modular retro gaming console that reads data directly from original cartridge media rather than relying on file-based emulation. The architecture separates shared services such as display conversion and statistics tracking from hardware-specific emulation modules, so users can add support for additional classic consoles by swapping modules rather than purchasing an entirely new device.

Razer (Asia-Pacific) received 1 patent for a haptic feedback system capable of processing multiple media streams simultaneously and generating distinct vibration signals from each. Rather than converting a single audio or video source into tactile output, the system handles concurrent streams independently and applies machine learning to analyze stream characteristics in real time, adjusting each haptic signal accordingly.

Realtek Semiconductor received 1 patent for a camera-based shooting game device that scores player actions by analyzing the brightness of captured images of targets rather than relying on physical impact detection or infrared sensors. The brightness-based approach allows the hardware architecture to remain relatively simple while still supporting several methods of interacting with the targets.

Robert Michael Lyden received 1 patent for a modular game controller where triggers, bumpers, thumbsticks, and grips are each independently removable and replaceable. The filing also covers touch-sensitive controls with actuation thresholds as low as 10 to 50 grams per ASTM 1578, as well as capacitive proximity controls that register input before the user makes physical contact with the surface.

Setex Technologies received 1 patent for a thumbstick cover made from 2 compliant materials throughout its entire construction. Unlike covers that use a rigid base beneath a soft top layer, this design ensures no hard stop force reaches the user's hand during impact, with full compliance maintained across the whole assembly.

Seven Towns received 1 patent for a water-filled toy capsule game where characters suspended inside pods rise or fall based on hydraulic pressure. The win condition is triggered when a player knocks a seal off the opposing capsule, causing water to evacuate through atmospheric pressure differential, which serves as the game's visual indicator of outcome rather than any electronic or mechanical scoring system.

Aifrutech Co. received 1 patent for a wireless game controller communication system built on UWB radio technology. The filing describes a scan-buffer-transmit pipeline engineered to achieve latency as low as 0.2ms and configurable up to 8.2ms, and also leverages UWB's ranging capability to support spatial positioning as a secondary input mode without requiring external tracking hardware.

Apple received 1 patent for a hand tracking system that pairs a smartwatch with an adaptive-frame-rate camera. The smartwatch sensors detect motion and serve as a trigger that controls when the camera captures detailed images, reducing how often the camera operates at high frame rates and cutting power consumption compared to continuous camera-based tracking systems.

Avetos Design received 1 patent for an ultra-thin mobile game controller that uses a planar spiral spring joystick operating laterally rather than vertically. Because the biasing mechanism works along the horizontal plane, the joystick adds less than 10mm of total thickness and keeps the pad surface nearly flush with the controller body, addressing the physical depth constraint that has prevented prior mobile controllers from being truly pocketable.

Azoteq Holdings received 1 patent for a joystick mechanism that combines a single magnet for position sensing with integrated force and touch detection. The system performs continuous auto-calibration when no user contact is detected, counteracting the drift that accumulates in conventional joysticks over time, while also adding pressure-sensitive input and configurable click points without introducing additional moving parts.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft received 1 patent for a multiplayer gaming system that uses existing door-panel control screens already installed in vehicles, connecting them through the car's native Ethernet and WLAN infrastructure to synchronize gameplay across multiple passengers without requiring any additional dedicated hardware.

CIC Games received 1 patent for a physical board game called Quarterboard, in which players slide discs or coins across a flat rectangular surface toward scoring zones at both ends. The distinguishing feature is a multi-zone scoring layout where zones vary in shape and size, creating differentiated point regions that support different skill levels rather than the single or uniform targets found in traditional tabletop sliding games.

Cheng Uei Precision Industry received 1 patent for a joystick assembly that integrates cable installation directly into the injection molding process of the key cap, eliminating it as a separate assembly step. The key cap itself is made from conductive soft plastic, which removes the need for additional conductive elements and reduces overall manufacturing complexity.

Chicony Electronics received 1 patent for a game controller button module with user-adjustable travel distance. Players rotate a hollow adjustment mechanism mid-use to change how far the button depresses before actuating, allowing tactile preferences to be modified without swapping out the controller or the button module itself.

Dell received 1 patent for a passive magnetic joystick designed for smartphones and tablets, where Hall effect sensors integrated into the mobile device base detect the position of a magnet inside the joystick component. Because the detection happens entirely on the device side, the joystick itself requires no electrical connections, enabling multi-directional input without traditional potentiometer-based mechanisms.

Dexin received 1 patent for a modular game controller with removable grip extensions and swappable expansion assemblies that connect electrically to the main body. The design allows individual sections to be replaced or upgraded without disassembling the full controller, creating a peripheral architecture where functionality can be changed at the component level.

Embracer Freemode received 1 patent for a guitar rhythm game controller that replaces mechanical contact switches in the fret buttons with Hall effect sensors. The contactless sensing eliminates physical wear points and provides continuous position data rather than binary on-off signals, allowing actuation thresholds to be configured and potentially enabling velocity-sensitive input.

Gamer Cycle Fitness received 1 patent for an exercise bike fitted with an ergonomic desk surface designed to accommodate standard console gaming hardware. The pedal geometry and torso positioning are engineered to maintain a comfortable gaming posture during actual cycling effort, and the design supports play on any existing mainstream console without requiring specialized game software.

Guangdong Jinfu Intelligent Technology received 1 patent for a split joystick design that mounts Hall effect chips directly on the main controller circuit board rather than on a separate magnetic sensor PCB inside the joystick mechanism. Consolidating to a single board means all components can be surface-mounted in one manufacturing pass, reducing both part count and assembly steps.

Hasbro received 1 patent for an electronic game board that uses magnetically differentiated pieces to identify not just whether a piece is present at a location but which specific piece it is. Different characters or tokens carry varying magnet strengths or polarity configurations that the board reads to determine exact piece identity, enabling hybrid physical-digital gameplay with precise recognition.

Heavy Play received 1 patent for a folding playmat system for tabletop card games that uses edge-embedded magnets to attach deck boxes and dice containers to designated zones on the mat surface during play. When the session ends, the multi-section mat folds into a compact configuration that closes securely through the same magnetic coupling, without needing external straps or a separate carrying case.

Helix Leisure Pte received 1 patent for an arcade cabinet controller that switches between turret and steering wheel modes through software-controlled axis restriction rather than requiring separate physical cabinets for each game genre. The unified hardware platform supports haptic and physical actuation feedback across both operating modes.

Hisense Visual Technology received 1 patent for an adaptive display system that calculates image quality parameters at runtime by combining a base setting determined by signal type with an offset determined by the current game interaction mode. This produces different display configurations for different gaming scenarios automatically, without requiring the user to select or apply presets manually.

Honda received 1 patent for an OBD dongle that repurposes a vehicle's actual steering wheel, pedals, and gear shifter as controllers for VR games while the car is parked. The dongle safely disables the ignition system and maps the vehicle's native input devices to game controls, allowing the physical hardware already present in the car to serve as a high-fidelity gaming interface.

Honor received 1 patent for an adaptive display refresh system that skips cache reads and refresh cycles based on how frequently frames are actually being delivered. The system also reads ambient light levels and screen brightness to determine minimum refresh thresholds that prevent flicker, allowing it to reduce power consumption in low-motion scenarios such as video playback or game lobby screens without sacrificing display quality.

Ivan Mauricio Buritica Suarez received 1 patent for a system that displays real-time game state information such as power-ups, remaining lives, and active abilities on helmet-mounted or vehicle-mounted screens during competitive go-kart racing. By making each player's status visible in the physical environment, the system allows drivers to make tactical decisions based on opponents' current in-game conditions.

KOMUSE Co. received 1 patent for a physical arcade cabinet where players hit a ball up a rail toward a rotating annular plate containing holes of different sizes that score different point values. A rack-and-pinion mechanism automates ball delivery after each attempt, and an encoder tracks the rotational position of the goal plate, enabling continuous play without manual resets between shots.

LG received 1 patent for a display technology that maintains consistent frame rate synchronization across gaming consoles, PCs, and streaming devices by using a hierarchical detection method. The system first checks AVI frequency data, then VSIF buffer information, and finally derives frame rates from raw video signal parameters including horizontal and vertical resolution and pixel clock, falling back through each method as needed when frame rate changes occur.

LYMB.iO received 1 patent for an AI-driven squash wall system that adjusts target placement in real time based on each player's current biometric data and physical position. Rather than placing targets randomly or on a fixed schedule, the system actively avoids positions that would produce unreachable return trajectories given the player's current physical condition, using a real-time fitness score to moderate difficulty continuously throughout the session.

Lu Aire de Jeu Interactive received 1 patent for a room-scale gaming installation that combines motion sensors and projectors with a professional DMX-controlled stage lighting system. As players move through the space, not only do projected surfaces respond to their actions but the room's overhead and wall fixtures also change in coordination with gameplay, extending the reactive environment beyond the projection area.

Nott received 1 patent for a modular joystick where the sensor hardware and the processing logic are contained in separate physical units. A single joystick body can serve different applications across vehicles, equipment, and gaming platforms by swapping out the controller module, rather than requiring a dedicated joystick configuration for each use case.

Triple Threat Board received 1 patent for a tabletop basketball board game with magnetic modular components and interchangeable court surfaces that allow for quick setup and breakdown. The design supports multiple game modes ranging from casual play to tournament-style competition, and incorporates a bouncing ball mechanic intended to simulate authentic basketball gameplay behavior.

Zwift received 1 patent for an input pairing system that connects multiple heterogeneous devices, including fitness equipment like exercise bikes alongside conventional gamepads and keyboards, to virtual cycling and fitness gaming platforms. The system maps the varied input types from these devices to game functions without requiring custom integration code written specifically for each possible hardware combination.