Support NeoGAF

[Keyser Soze]

Linkage

An existing video game system is modified to include additional communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive. The modification may involve the use of an expansion device coupled to a video game system port. A cable TV tuner is also included in the expansion device to assist in providing a unique picture-in-picture video capability. TV signals are coupled to the expansion device via the RF input from either cable TV or off-air signals. These RF signals are blended with the output signals from the video game system. A user may, for example, watch TV while viewing overlay information from the video game console. A user may receive a TV channel guide downloaded via the Internet, spot a program which the user desires to view and immediately access, via an IR input, the desired channel through the expansion device TV tuner. A user may also watch TV while simultaneously logging onto the Internet. A hard drive permits downloading from the Internet of entire games.
Inventors: Smith; Darren (Redmond, WA); Elliott; Scott (Federal Way, WA); McCarten; David J. (Bothell, WA)
Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc. (Redmond, WA)

Patented 3 Aug 2004, why a N64??

 

[Wario64]

64dd?

 

[GaimeGuy]

MEGATON!!!!!1


REVOLUTION!

 

[cja]

Originally filed in 1999, certainly the 64DD.

edit: heck provisional filing was 1998.

 

[Culex]

A hard drive permits downloading from the Internet of entire games.

ZOMG!

Quick, Infinium Labs! Sue Nintendo! They're stealing your Phantom ideas!

 

[Keyser Soze]

64dd?

I thought that but the verbal discription sounds nothing like it

Originally filed in 1999, certainly the 64DD

Never noticed that, but why re-patent something that most people never even bought and more never even heard of.

 

[xsarien]

Never noticed that, but why re-patent something that most people never even bought and more never even heard of.

Legal reasons you really don't need to concern yourself with.

 

[alejob]

Nintendo Patent Some Kinda Hard Disk Drive Internet Capable Device

OMG! Nintendo patented Teh XBoxen!

 

[deadhorse32]

It's the 64 DD. Patent description are always broad.

 

[tedtropy]

With capacity like that, there's no end to the possibilities!

 

[Mr Mike]

You seriously thought this was something new? That's patently ridiculous.

 

[StrikerObi]

You seriously thought this was something new? That's patently ridiculous.

Yeah, ther's even a picture of the 64DD right on it.

 

[Mr Mike]

Yes, and it's PATENTly ridiculousl

 

[SantaC]

Nintendo have registered a device that upgrades "an existing video game system [with] communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive".

Nintendo have registered a patent for a new device, while it is not known what exactly the device is it states that it will upgrade an existing video game system with "communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive".

As well as this the device apparently also supports picture-in-picture video capabilities. This means users will be able to watch TV and play games at the same time.

A TV Tuner is also included, which means users can download program information from the internet and then watch said program.

A line is bound to cause quite a stir on the internet, "A hard drive permits downloading from the Internet of entire games."

What Nintendo are planning is beyond this but expect this to be big on the internet until Nintendo give some official details.

http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=6852

 

[TheGreenGiant]

isn't that pic of the mario in the corner the leaked image from IWATA's new toy? innovative design thingoamgig? I've definitely seen that pic from the innovative new device discussion about 2 months back

 

[Deku Tree]

Does cube-europe get all their news from forums like GAF?

 

[SantaC]

everyone gets their news from GAFFERS! (fastest in the world)

 

[aaaaa0]

Picture of the N64 and 64DD is a red herring. The actual device and the console to which it attaches could be anything.

Revolution = Phantom add-on for GC!

You heard it on GAF first!!!!!

;-)

 

[Acrylamid]

I love this pic, the only terms missing on it are 'Megaton','fourth pillar' and 'Some Kinda Hard Disk Drive Internet Capable Device'.

 

[Mason]

Nintendo patents weird shit all the time. None of it ever happens.

 

[Kobun Heat]

Pictures such as that one are generally deliberately nothing like the products they describe. Also, the 64DD doesn't have a hard drive.

 

[FitzOfRage]

Pictures such as that one are generally deliberately nothing like the products they describe. Also, the 64DD doesn't have a hard drive.

Well how about the fact that it was actually filed like 6 or 7 years ago, and specifically mentions in the claims that it may become available for the N64?

 

[Kobun Heat]

Well how about the fact that it was actually filed like 6 or 7 years ago, and specifically mentions in the claims that it may become available for the N64?

Well, THAT I can get behind.

 

[Sagitario]

GameCube Online?
Recently updated patents fuel speculation.
August 17, 2004 - Nintendo seems dedicated to doing things their own way. Their decision to keep the GameCube offline is just one example. Sure, gamers got a taste of online play through Sega's Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II and more recently through Phantasy Star Online III: Card Revolution, but these two examples can't compare with the bevy of multiplayer titles released for the Xbox and PS2. Nintendo's reluctance to join the online gaming market has fueled message board gossip for years. And while Nintendo claims their rigid stance is purely economical, Cube fans can't help but feel a little let down. After all, why should GameCube owners need to look elsewhere for their gaming needs?

Back in 2003, Nintendo representatives started talking about extending the life of the GameCube. One strategy called for a new device that would fully take the Cube online, therefore expanding the scope of future titles. What's more, there was the possibility that published games could head online through a downloadable patch. In April 4, 2003, Nintendo filed U.S. patent # 6,769,989 for a peripheral that would expand the communication and storage capabilities of an established game system. While no such peripheral has been released, the updating of the patent earlier this month has rekindled speculation on the GameCube's future as an online-friendly console.

According to the patent, the new device will expand the capabilities of an "existing video game system" by adding a modem and a hard disk drive. This would greatly increase the GameCube's capabilities. Downloading patches, programs or even entire games will become a real possibility. You could also regulate your chat and email duties to the Cube. Also, the device includes a cable TV tuner to help provide picture-in-picture video capability. This could mean a great many things, the most obvious of which may be the ability to watch television and play games simultaneously. Or you can play games in one window while you Google strategy guides in another. The additions may involve the use of an expansion device joined to an open system port.

Nintendo has filed other patents too. While we're not entirely sure whether these patents pertain to the GameCube, the Nintedo DS or even the Nintendo Revolution, they do spur the imagination.

We'll be back with more just as soon as it becomes available.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/539/539555p1.html

 

[Zenny]

Revolution is rumored to come with a hard drive.

Perhaps Nintendo wants you to download their old roms and pay per title.

And Revolution will emulate NES, SNES, N64.

 

[WarPig]

Was there a DD game that used the Hey You Pikachu mike? I forget whether they did anything with it in Doshin the Giant.

DFS.

 

[sprsk]

Revolution is rumored to come with a hard drive.

Perhaps Nintendo wants you to download their old roms and pay per title.

And Revolution will emulate NES, SNES, N64.

If the revolution emulated nes snes n64 GB GBC and GBA....thatd be insanity. Downloading roms for a nominal fee would do well for nintendo methinks. I think it would be a definite hit for nintendo.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

isn't that pic of the mario in the corner the leaked image from IWATA's new toy? innovative design thingoamgig? I've definitely seen that pic from the innovative new device discussion about 2 months back

It does seem familiar. Probably it's a generic sketch representative of a game screen they use on many patents.

 

[Rhindle]

Hmmm ... Nintendo may have something here. The abstract certainly sounds like something Microsft and Sony are planning on doing next-gen, i.e. using their consoles to provide TV program guides and other entertainment content.

So I guess Nintendo may be able to compensate for the loss of hardware revenue by suing Sony and Microsoft for royalties on their patents.

 

[speedpop]

This is interesting. The original date can be misleading, but Nintendo aren't exactly the type to grab something and run with it straight away. They've continually said that internet gaming isn't in it's prime at the moment, which when accounted for can be true, but there are also many people now playing games only online. This coming from the company that has tried to penetrate the entire communication globally online issue since the days of NES.

Personally the aspects of this patent seems to describe what Nintendo always subtley utter about their latest investment console wise - it will revolutionize gaming as it stands. Of course downloading games isn't a gigantic revolution (suprnova anyone?), this is a legal standpoint of course. So there must always be another aspect to this that patents never mention.

Then again, I can always be a very stubborn and safe gamer and constantly take gaming news such as this with a grain of salt. Is this why I am so critical of everything these days? *takes a few pills*

 

[Kobun Heat]

By the by, Gamespot contacted Nintendo and they confirmed it was the 64DD. kthx

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/08/17/news_6105085.html

 

[explodet]

Whoopie-dink.

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

Fark and The Register.com have picked this up.

Fark:

Nintendo granted patent for online videogaming. All your XBox Live belong to Hiroshi Yamauchi

Register.com:

Nintendo has been granted a US patent that yields it the ownership of key online multi-player gaming facilities, including player league tables, voice communications and online gaming host services.

The patent, number 6,769,989, was granted on 3 August this year, but is essentially a continuation of another Nintendo patent, 6,599,194, which was filed in April 1999.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/19/nintendo_online_gaming/