This Nintendo patent could hint at how NX controller works

Last month, a number of outlets released leaked information regarding what the NX was. According to the leak, the Nintendo NX is a portable handheld console, with detachable controllers. The leak went on to detail that the handheld device would connect to a home docking station that will display the game on TV.

A new patent (via NeoGaf) from Nintendo details on how a controller would link to a portable gaming screen. Now, this patent might not show us what the finished NX product will look like, but it does show us what Nintendo has been thinking – that is – if this patent is for an NX. 

This patent could very well be for something else altogether.

According to the patent, the device would use an infrared camera to read the controller's button presses instead of the traditional electrical connection. This essentially makes the 'controller' portion empty to allow the infrared camera to detect any button movement. 

In the image below 4,5,7 are the infrared camera, while 20 is the 'controller.'