Hardware & Devices

Sony received 5 patents covering arcade-style controller designs aimed at fighting game enthusiasts and retro gaming fans. The applications describe controllers with button pads angled between 1 and 60 degrees to recreate arcade cabinet ergonomics, user-swappable joystick gates stored within the controller base for quick customization between game types, and a selective button-locking mechanism that disables system interruptions like home buttons without affecting gameplay inputs. Two additional filings describe joystick implementations, one using microswitches with a mechanical coupling system for digital input and another employing magnetic sensors for analog control, both maintaining arcade-authentic physical designs with full-size levers.

Nintendo received 6 patents exploring modular and ergonomic controller architectures. The filings describe a single-piece housing design that eliminates seams near grip areas by manufacturing the body and grips as one unit with separate lids, rear grip buttons with asymmetric widening surfaces conforming to natural finger placement, and a dual-grip system with separate substrates and modular vibration holders in each grip. Additional applications cover magnetic attachment mechanisms that allow buttons to be pressed through overlying accessories, a Ring-Con-style deformable ring structure with strain gauges for detecting squeeze and pull forces, and magnetically attached buttons that slide onto rails and respond dynamically to console-embedded magnets for both haptic feedback and mechanical locking.

Qanba USA received 2 patents addressing competitive fighting game controller needs. One application describes a button remapping system with one-to-one mapping between logical switches and physical buttons, enabling real-time function swaps via visual indicator lights and trigger sequences without pausing gameplay. The other filing covers an asymmetric dual-zone switch layout with arc-shaped arrangements and non-perpendicular angular positioning designed to match natural hand movement patterns for left and right hands rather than conventional grid layouts.

Shenzhen Qanba Technology Development received 1 patent for a game controller keyboard with arc-shaped key arrangements that ascend gradually, positioned to match natural hand positioning during gameplay. The layout includes strategically enlarged keys at certain positions and non-function keys positioned above primary control keys.

Chicony Electronics received 1 patent for a game controller button module that allows players to adjust button travel distance mid-game by rotating a hollow adjustment mechanism. The design enables customization of tactile feedback for different game genres or personal preferences without swapping controllers or button modules.

Avetos Design received 1 patent for a mobile game controller under 10mm thick using a planar spiral spring joystick mechanism that operates laterally rather than vertically. The translational biasing design keeps the pad surface nearly flush with the controller body, addressing the challenge of creating pocketable mobile controllers that attach to phones.

Guangdong Jinfu Intelligent Technology received 1 patent for a split joystick design that integrates Hall effect chips directly onto the main controller circuit board instead of using a separate magnetic sensor PCB. The approach allows all components to be surface-mounted in a single manufacturing pass, reducing the number of circuit boards from 2 to 1.

Dell received 1 patent for a mobile joystick using magnets and Hall effect sensors for passive input control on smartphones and tablets. The design eliminates electrical connections in the joystick component itself by relying on magnetic sensing integrated into the mobile device base for detecting multi-directional input.

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 rather than as a separate assembly step. The filing also describes using conductive soft plastic material for the key cap to eliminate separate conductive elements.

Azoteq Holdings received 1 patent for joystick technology combining single-magnet position sensing with integrated force and touch detection. The system performs continuous auto-calibration when no user contact is detected to address stick drift, while adding pressure-sensitive inputs and adjustable click points without additional moving parts.

Dexin received 1 patent for a modular game controller with removable protruding grips and swappable expansion assemblies connected electrically to the main body. The design enables users to change functionality without disassembling the entire controller.

Nott received 1 patent for a modular joystick system separating sensor hardware from processing logic through swappable controller modules. The approach allows a single joystick to serve multiple applications across vehicles, equipment, and gaming platforms through standardized sensor integration.

Zwift received 1 patent for a controller input pairing system handling heterogeneous input devices including fitness equipment and traditional game controllers. The protocol dynamically maps various input types to game functions without requiring device-specific integration code for each combination.

Push-Run Holdings received 1 patent for a modular retro gaming console using authentic cartridge reading and swappable expansion modules. The architecture separates core services like display conversion and streaming from console-specific hardware emulation modules, allowing users to add support for different retro consoles without purchasing entirely new systems.

Honor received 1 patent for adaptive screen refresh technology that dynamically adjusts display rates based on content frame rates. The system skips cache reads and refresh cycles based on frame delivery timing, using ambient light and screen brightness to set minimum refresh thresholds that prevent flicker while reducing power consumption.

LG received 1 patent for display technology adapting frame rates for video signals from gaming consoles, PCs, and streaming devices. The system uses a hierarchical fallback approach that checks AVI frequency information, then VSIF buffer data, and finally calculates frame rates from video signal parameters to maintain seamless display adaptation during dynamic frame rate changes.

Heavy Play received 1 patent for a magnetic folding playmat system with integrated deck boxes and dice storage for tabletop card games. The design uses edge-embedded magnets to allow deck boxes and dice containers to attach to specific zones during gameplay, then fold into a compact carry configuration without external straps.

Triple Threat Board received 1 patent for a modular tabletop basketball board game with magnetic components and interchangeable court surfaces. The design enables quick setup and breakdown while supporting multiple game modes through a comprehensive rule system and bouncing ball gameplay mechanics.

Lu Aire de Jeu Interactive received 1 patent for a room-scale gaming system integrating professional stage lighting with motion-tracked gameplay. The design uses DMX-controlled moving and static fixtures to illuminate floors, walls, and other room sections in coordination with player actions, extending immersion beyond projected surfaces.

Ivan Mauricio Buritica Suarez received 1 patent for helmet and vehicle-mounted displays showing real-time player stats, power-ups, and status information in competitive go-kart racing. The system makes digital game state information physically visible on racing vehicles and helmets, enabling players to see opponents' abilities and remaining lives during competition.

Realtek Semiconductor received 1 patent for an image-detection shooting game device that scores players based on captured target brightness using camera-based analysis. The approach replaces traditional physical impact detection, infrared sensors, or screen-based targeting with brightness-based image analysis for simpler hardware architecture.