Following the Zapper, the Wii Wheel, the Balance Board, and the patented-but-not-produced (yet) Wii horsey comes something… NERF-y?
Digging around the patent office, Siliconera has discovered yet another patent by Nintendo. This time, it is for a squishy football “shell” for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.
Filed by Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Research and Development, Howard Cheng, the device is soft football-shaped apparatus which features a handle and places to slide in a Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the latter of which can be added to improve the controller’s sensitivity. It can even use the MotionPlus to “detect orientation and improve ability to recognize actions.”
So, how does it work? Here are some examples given:
Throwing – Players firmly strap their hands to the ball and make a throwing motion. The pitch angle and force of the throw determines the trajectory arc of the throw. Side to side motion determines the yaw angle. Pressing buttons on the Wii remote can adjust other options.
Running – The football controller sense body motion, shifting left and right to dodge tacklers and even jumping motions by raising the ball. Running speed is determined by players making a jogging motion.
Of course, this is all more or less akin to conjecture; as we know by now, Nintendo is always working on new ideas, many of which don’t make their way to market– or at least, not in their original form. Nonetheless, I would not say “never” on this one.
Siliconera has more diagrams of the device and information on how it is intended to function.
And even if it doesn’t work out, at least it leaves something fun to throw at your friends.
