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happydolphin on 27 February 2013
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joeorc said:
happydolphin said:
 

In that case, the webcam itself predates HS's application of it on a handheld.

Do we actually have information on Nintendo's GB Cam patents prior to release?

Assuming the impossible, that Nintendo patented this at the same time as release of the GB Camera, I'm willing to concede that the use of a webcam on a multi-purpose device (whether handheld or PC) predates the GB Camera. How much that has bearing in the GB Cam vs Eyetoy vs Kinect is really questionable.

Sure the multi-purpose device can play games, but did it, was that a primary use of the device? Remember, HS's were used in a business application first and foremost. A much better argument is PC-based webcam games that began quite early (something like 1996).

I'm not sure how honest this argument is in the context of video game consoles, be they handheld or not.

Also, the idea of copying is much more comprehensible in the context of direct competition (like the big 3 for example).

That depends on what was being done with the technology at the time:

Example:

Wii-mote Prototype Designer Speaks Out, Shares Sketchbook

Yesterday you saw the first prototype pre-Wii motion-sensitive controller that Gyration pitched to Nintendo in 2001. Today, we received a note from Matt Presta at Bridge Design, who drafted the original concept. Here he explains his mission, shares a peek at the actual drawing board, and gives a shout-out to left-handed people everywhere.

http://gizmodo.com/295276/wii+mote-prototype-designer-speaks-out-shares-sketchbook

Now if you want to look at concept's of use for a method with camera's:

in July 31, 2000

The Medieval Chamber by Richard Marks uses real-time video processing used to track multiple stick-like objects that can be held by the viewer. By moving these objects, the viewer can move a sword, ball-and-chain, and torch that are real-time rendered in a medieval chamber with shadows and transparency on Playstation2 hardware.

http://silicon-valley.siggraph.org/MeetingNotes/sig2000.html


The thing is Nintendo did not even get a pitch for the WiiMote until Nintendo in 2001.

Sony was already with the same Idea with protypes just like Gyration pitched to Nintendo in 2001. the problem is if you look at each the way they are set up Nintendo's Option was far cheaper to get to market than Kinect or Move. for instance in  DR. Marks showed off the zcam @ siggraph  before MICROSOFT EVEN BOUGHT INTO THE TECH, SONY DID NOT CREATE THE ZCAM also but they were looking into it. well before Microsoft was check out this in nov 1999

http://www.siggraph.org/publications/newsletter/v33n4/columns/editor.html

DR. Marks joined Sony in 1999

that's why DR. Marks demo of this function in 2000 was listed as

E m e r g i ng Te c h no l o g ie s

http://lukasz.dk/mirror/research-scea/research/pdfs/SIGGRAPHetech2000.pdf

That  does not mean that it was just Sony working on such Innovation.

Nintendo's method from Gyration was cheaper and much cunsumer friendly price than what Sony was using with their Method, but Sony method was more accurate! cost of components were also much more costly, Sony had no other choice but to wait.

You totally sidestepped the points I made All of 'em. We know that HS's handheld was mainly intended for business users...

Like I said, a better argument are early web-based webcam games.