Big patent blow out came out recently and featured quite a few details on what we can expect from these controllers.
- Both have rumble and gyro;
- Alternate Joy-con configurations are shown;
- L/R buttons accessible on the Joy-con slot;
- Left Joy-con new "record button", describes using it to take screenshots;
- Right Joy-con has IR and NFC capabilities.
It was already mentioned in the Foxconn rumour that the controllers themselves are quite complex.The right Joy-con seems to be packing quite a bit of technology, don't expect them to be cheap I guess.
The Switch patent mentions three features derived from the IR sensor located at the bottom of the right Joy-con.
Gesture motions (a la Kinect/Leap Motion)
[0492] The main unit 2 may detect a gesture input by using a hand of a user based on the image-capturing results from the infrared image-capturing section 123 so as to execute an information process in accordance with the gesture input. For example, a user holds the right controller 4 in one hand, and an image is captured of the other hand of the user using the infrared camera of the infrared image-capturing section 123. Note that in the present embodiment, the infrared camera is arranged so as to capture an image of an area under the right controller 4. Therefore, a user makes a gesture input by placing the other hand under the right controller 4. The main unit 2 obtains information based on the image-capturing results from the right controller 4 so as to identify a gesture input made by a user. Then, the main unit 2 executes an information process based on the gesture input.
[0493] A gesture input may be any input made by using an operation object to be operated (moved) by a user. An operation object may be a body of a user (which may be a part of the body, such as a hand or the face, or may be the whole body), may be an object held by a user, or may include both. The information processing device 1 may recognize the shape of the operation object as a gesture input, may recognize the position, the orientation and/or the movement of the operation object as a gesture input, or may recognize a combination thereof as a gesture input. For example, a user can make a gesture input by using the shape of a hand, the movement of a hand, the position of a hand (with respect to the right controller 4), the orientation (attitude) of a hand, etc.
Another patent that came out earlier this year mentioned a handheld device with infrared camera/distance sensor.
IR motion (a la Wii)
[0494] In addition to (or instead of) identifying a gesture input, the infrared image-capturing section 123 may be used to calculate the position and/or the orientation of the right controller 4 with respect to a predetermined marker. For example, a user may place a marker at an intended position (e.g., around the display 12 or around the TV 6), and perform an operation of moving the right controller 4 within such a range that the infrared camera can capture an image of the marker. Note that the marker may be made of a material that reflects infrared light, for example. Then, the information processing device 1 can calculate the position and/or the orientation of the right controller 4 with respect to the marker based on the image-capturing results from the infrared image-capturing section 123. Moreover, the information processing device 1 can execute an information process by using the calculated information as a user's operation input.
I have some issues with this one, since the sensor is at the bottom, you would need to turn the device upside down to point at the TV. Even with the controller detached, the ergonomic shoulder buttons might get in the way of it working like a Wii remote.
There are rumours that the Switch itself has a sensor bar just like the Gamepad, that's why the top sticks out from the dock.
Biometric sensor (a la Vitality Sensor)
[0495] The main unit 2 can also capture an image of a hand of a user (specifically, the vein pattern of the hand) by means of the infrared image-capturing section 123, to thereby authenticate (specifically, by vein authentication) a user based on the captured image. Moreover, the main unit 2 can also measure the pulse of a user by capturing an image of a hand of the user by means of the infrared image-capturing section 123. That is, where infrared light output onto and reflected by a hand of a user is detected by the infrared image-capturing section 123, the main unit 2 can calculate the pulse of the user based on changes in the reflected waves.
This just sounds like QoL finally made its way in a device... Vitality Sensor lives on?
What do you think of these IR gimmicks? Is this what Nintendo was scared of showing too soon?
PS: And since I'm going to disappear for another month or so, an early Happy Holidays to everyone!
