Hardware & Devices

Sony received 4 patents covering controller and peripheral connectivity. One relocates wireless host functions from the console into a peripheral device like a keyboard or monitor that sits closer to the player, reducing signal interference and latency by shortening the wireless path. Another turns headphone accessories into game modification triggers, where decorative earcup covers or figurines carry RFID-style identifiers that unlock cheat codes and settings when physically attached to the headset. A third describes a modular controller with a magnetically repositionable touchscreen and rotating dial that can snap anywhere on the body, plus smart notifications that automatically pause gameplay. The fourth uses EMG muscle signals as a biometric login system, allowing the controller to passively identify users and load personalized game settings when they pick it up.

Nintendo received 3 patents addressing hardware modularity and input precision. One covers a smart dock that fingerprints whether a Switch or Switch 2 is connected via USB power delivery signals, then selects the appropriate authentication credentials and adjusts fan speed and USB protocol version accordingly. Another describes a grip accessory designed to hold two detachable controllers in a traditional gamepad layout, with handle geometry that sits behind the controllers at the same vertical level while overlapping them from above to maintain access to rear buttons. The third adds pressure sensing to analog stick mechanisms by placing a force sensor at the mechanical stop point where the stick's shaft meets the internal pedestal, capturing tilt force magnitude at the extremity of travel without requiring a full force-sensitive array.

Shenzhen Deone Innovation Technology received 3 patents focused on gamepad ergonomics and charging. One describes a case with swappable grip modules that slide onto symmetrical rails and lock via a latching system, allowing users to customize controller ergonomics for different hand sizes. Another addresses desk space by using a rotating stand that tilts a charging dock from flat to inclined, reducing the horizontal footprint while keeping controllers accessible. A third mounts gamepads vertically rather than horizontally on a charging dock, using a built-in counterweight block at the base to prevent tipping when controllers are attached sideways.

Qualcomm received 2 patents addressing mobile gaming performance and power efficiency. One applies PID control theory to framerate stabilization, dynamically adjusting CPU and GPU frequencies across heterogeneous processing clusters weighted by their current load ratio to maintain steady FPS. The other uses a penalty-based scheduling mechanism that underreports game thread workload to the system scheduler when frames are rendering ahead of target, allowing the CPU to throttle back and conserve battery without dropping frames or requiring developer-implemented power management.

Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co. received 2 patents improving gamepad input mechanisms. One replaces traditional vertical-press D-pad switches with a pivot-and-trigger system where keycap depression converts to rotational motion via a joystick body and rotation block, creating a more lever-like feel with dual perpendicular rotation axes. The other eliminates mechanical clips in trigger switches by using magnetic positioning to stabilize the movable member, providing contactless dual-mode switching between digital and analog input while reducing wear from repeated use.

Shenzhen Saitake Electronic Co. received 1 patent for a gamepad phone mount using a dual-rotating link arm structure with permanent magnet attachment. The clamping base connects to a clamping link, which connects to a clamping frame, providing two degrees of rotational freedom that let mobile players reposition their phone at any angle and distance without mechanical gripping claws.

A4VR received 1 patent for a large-scale multiplayer tracking system that positions over 400 players across 1800 square meters with sub-100 millisecond latency. The system uses LED-based portable trackers and event cameras that process only pixel changes rather than full frames, achieving sub-millisecond detection speeds, while distributing position extraction computation to each detection unit instead of the central server to reduce bandwidth and enable high player density without external synchronization.

Backbone Labs received 1 patent for a handheld game controller with an integrated second screen. The design embeds a companion display natively into the controller hardware rather than requiring a separate tablet or smartphone, creating a universal multi-platform device that provides richer UI and information beyond the primary TV or monitor display.

Avetos Design received 1 patent for an ultra-thin joystick mechanism using planar spiral springs. The design reduces analog stick thickness to under 10 millimeters total device thickness compared to the typical 15 to 25 millimeters of conventional controllers, enabling pocket-sized form factors that attach to mobile devices via a case retention system with replaceable spring mechanisms.

Shenzhen Yuyuanxin Electronic Technology Co. received 1 patent for a Nintendo Switch gamepad that integrates docking station functionality. The device combines controller input with HDMI video output, a USB 3.0 hub, and Power Delivery fast charging in a single unit, eliminating the need for the official dock while gaming by providing plug-and-play video switching and connectivity.

Scorpion Joystick received 1 patent for a modular joystick design that decouples the user input shaft from the sensing mechanism via a lever linkage. A shorter internal lever couples to the sensing element through a spherical component sliding within a longitudinal shaft bore, allowing the throw ratio between user input and sensor deflection to be tuned by adjusting relative lever lengths, while swappable biasing arrangements using coil springs, conical springs, or elastomers enable customization of joystick feel without replacing the entire assembly.

Golden Net IT Structure received 1 patent for an arcade punching machine with IoT connectivity and analytics. The system integrates sensors, high-speed motion capture for slow-motion replay, cloud-based leaderboards, and a companion mobile and web platform, while a retraction mechanism and arc-based spring-and-shaft design improve force measurement beyond simple linear single-sensor approaches.

Toyota received 1 patent for in-vehicle haptic feedback during gaming with dual-mode power management. The system allows parked electric vehicles to deliver physical motion feedback synchronized to gameplay while preserving battery health by dynamically switching between power-limited and full-power modes based on vehicle state and battery level.

Shenzhen Guli Technology received 1 patent for a magnetic Hall-effect joystick using rotating magnets and contactless induction modules. The magnetic induction module integrates directly into the side cap housing rather than bolting onto a conventional joystick assembly as a separate sensor, creating a compact self-contained sensing unit that simplifies manufacturing.

Szu Cheng MA received 1 patent for a 4D immersive gaming platform combining multiple motion and sensory systems. The design uses a biomimetic quadruped locomotion chassis capable of stair climbing with a three-axis XYθ translation-rotation base, synchronized with full-body haptic clothing that delivers optical, thermal, magnetic, and electrical stimulation mapped to meridian acupuncture points, integrated with VR glasses and a smart helmet.

Tuoman International received 1 patent for a mobile game controller integrating wireless charging, thermoelectric cooling, and adaptive-width clamping in a single device. A heat-insulating gap between the main body and grip prevents thermal discomfort from transferring to the user's hands during intensive gaming sessions that would otherwise cause overheating and battery drain.

Guangdong Jinfu Intelligent Technology received 1 patent for manual spring-tension adjustment in joysticks via a rotating shell mechanism. Instead of using motors to adjust spring compression, the design uses a cam-and-groove system where rotating the outer shell raises or lowers a disc to compress the spring, eliminating motors, control software, and associated electronics.

Shenzhen Deone Innovation Technology Co.,Ltd received 1 patent for a magnetic controller grip assembly. The design replaces slide-rail mechanical locking with magnetic coupling between the grip and two game controllers, with connection units oriented perpendicular to the controller-to-controller axis to enable faster and more intuitive one-hand assembly and disassembly.