This month's User Interface & Experience category includes 2 granted patents from Netflix (1) and EA (1).
EA describes a 3D character customization interface where players navigate cosmetic options along intersecting tracks, with 2D previews updating in real time on a 3D character model. Netflix's patent covers second-screen technology that transforms phones and tablets into game controllers with context-aware layouts that adapt dynamically to gameplay events.
EA received 1 patent for a character customization interface that organizes cosmetic items along virtual tracks that intersect in 3D space. Players scroll through options presented as 2D thumbnails on these tracks, and when an item reaches the intersection point, it appears live on the 3D character model while previously selected items revert to thumbnail form. This spatial arrangement replaces conventional grid or list-based menus with a system where the intersection node functions as an active preview zone, swapping out the 3D representation as users navigate different cosmetic categories.
Netflix received 1 patent covering second-screen controller technology that reconfigures phone and tablet interfaces based on real-time gameplay conditions. The system adjusts button layouts, controls, and displayed information dynamically as in-game events unfold, rather than maintaining a static virtual controller throughout a session. The patent also describes asymmetric information distribution, where the second screen can show or hide certain details from the player that may be visible on the main display, enabling gameplay mechanics built around different knowledge states across devices.
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.