A recently published patent reveals a special secret about a new Nintendo DS model.
February 25, 2006 | 1:59 PM PSTby: Logan Predy
A new patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office for Nintendo Co. Ltd. on Feb. 2nd, 2006 has revealed an interesting new DS model.
Seeing as how the patent was originally drafted on Jul 29, 2004, and filed on July 19, 2005, there is no real way of telling whether the DS model featured in the patents is simply a prototype for the DS/DS Lite or a third DS model. The patent could theoretically have been edited by Nintendo in some way since the initial drafting as well. The important thing is the functionality mentioned in the patent. First off, here is the patent illustration of the new DS:
(click on all images for full-sized versions)
As you can see, this resembles no other DS model that has been announced. Additionally, the cartridges used for the system resemble SD cards much more than the current DS game cards, and the "X" and "Y" buttons have been removed.
What's even more interesting is what it says in the description of the new DS model:
"A game apparatus includes a touch panel on which at least two pointing positions are simultaneously detectable."
So, either the DS Lite will have multiple touch functions that have yet to be announced, or another DS is in the works to be launched at some point after the DS Lite.
Be sure to check out the extra Media for this article, because there are further pictures there detailing how some aspects of the multi-touch functionality will work. Also, the original patent can be viewed using the source link below.
AMN will keep you updated on any other details about this system as they arise.
Seeing as how the patent was originally drafted on Jul 29, 2004, and filed on July 19, 2005, there is no real way of telling whether the DS model featured in the patents is simply a prototype for the DS/DS Lite or a third DS model. The patent could theoretically have been edited by Nintendo in some way since the initial drafting as well. The important thing is the functionality mentioned in the patent. First off, here is the patent illustration of the new DS:
As you can see, this resembles no other DS model that has been announced. Additionally, the cartridges used for the system resemble SD cards much more than the current DS game cards, and the "X" and "Y" buttons have been removed.
What's even more interesting is what it says in the description of the new DS model:
"A game apparatus includes a touch panel on which at least two pointing positions are simultaneously detectable."
So, either the DS Lite will have multiple touch functions that have yet to be announced, or another DS is in the works to be launched at some point after the DS Lite.
Be sure to check out the extra Media for this article, because there are further pictures there detailing how some aspects of the multi-touch functionality will work. Also, the original patent can be viewed using the source link below.
AMN will keep you updated on any other details about this system as they arise.
source: US Patent & Trademark Office
