Another Wii-Like Controller Patent For Distinguishing Infrared Light Sources

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Apple has applied for yet another patent for a Wii-like controller device, this time for a remote control that can distinguish infrared light sources (http://hrmpf.com/wordpress/264/another-apple-wii-like-controller-patent-kills-strays). Via hrmph:
The present invention can include remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray or unintended light sources, such as environmental light sources and/or reflections.

Earlier this month another patent application (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/08/apple-developing-wiimote-like-controller/) was uncovered for a Wii-like controller developed by Apple. As with all patent applications, this may not represent technology planned for any particular project, though recent job descriptions (http://jobs.apple.com/index.ajs?BID=1&method=mExternal.showJob&RID=7302&CurrentPage=1) have listed "remote controls" as one of the technologies Apple is developing.

Raw Data: Patent Application 20080121782
(http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20080121782&OS=20080121782&RS=20080121782)

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/05/29/103838-wii1_300.png

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/29/another-wii-like-controller-patent-for-distinguishing-infrared-light-sources/)

[Diggity-Dan]

The current remote is great for Front Row, but it could definitely be improved. I want to be able to surf the net comfortably and easily from my couch. I know there are a few software solutions out there like remote buddy, but it's a bitch with that little 6 buttoned remote.

[ejrizo]

should i wait to buy an apple tv?

[Mykbibby]

The current remote is great for Front Row, but it could definitely be improved. I want to be able to surf the net comfortably and easily from my couch. I know there are a few software solutions out there like remote buddy, but it's a bitch with that little 6 buttoned remote.

I agree, I don't know why everybody hates the Apple Remote so much. I think it does the job perfect, except rewinding really sucks on it. I would love a wiimote type remote for it. The Wiimote is awesome!

My only suggestion for it would be to make it smaller, kind of like one of those handheld lasers. Now that would be awesome!!!

[ejrizo]

but it does make sense to be able to have it set up like a mouse.... the Nintendo Wii does it pretty damn well.... so i can see where apple as a computer company can take this to the next level

[Mykbibby]

should i wait to buy an apple tv?

If an Apple event is around the corner, I always wait to see what it has in store. I say wait until WWDC, if its not announced then, go get it.

Apple TV was updated (software) at MacWorld, but not hardware since last year. Its possible, but unlikely.

[match311]

I think Apple has said that going into the TV market would be a natural progression for them. This could be a sweet remote patent for the TV. Then Apple would dominate the home.

[speakerwizard]

The current remote is great for Front Row, but it could definitely be improved. I want to be able to surf the net comfortably and easily from my couch. I know there are a few software solutions out there like remote buddy, but it's a bitch with that little 6 buttoned remote.

2 words, remote buddy

[clayj]

I'd love it if Apple would sell a programmable touchscreen remote control, similar to the Panja/AMX Viewpoint remote controls or the Logitech Harmony E1000.

[Diggity-Dan]

2 words, remote buddy

Like I said in my original post, I know there are software solutions like Remote Buddy, but I'm don't like using that little 6 button remote to control my computer outside of Front Row or to surf the net. It's a pain trying to navigate the cursor with four buttons, and even more of a pain to type something with the virtual keyboard (as it's also a pain to type in YouTube searches in AppleTV). The best solution I've seen so far is an iPhone hack that lets you use the touch screen as a wireless track pad for your Mac. I don't think he's added keyboard support yet, but it's a logical progression.

[junkmailbonzai]

A controller like that would be very nice for my apple TV.

[Clive At Five]

I would find it truly hard to believe if Nintendo didn't already have a patent for this...

-Clive

[godslabrat]

should i wait to buy an apple tv?

Hardware updates on the AppleTV are probably some time in the future, so if you're wanting increased functionality or a killer app... couldn't hurt to wait and see. My personal opinion is the AppleTV form factor has a LOT of untapped potential, and Apple is too smart of a company (both in terms of design and marketing) to not have something in the works.

OTOH, if you want an AppleTV because of what it can do today, out-of-the-box, get it now. Like I said, any updates are quite a ways off, so no sense in delaying a purchase you'll enjoy over something that may never happen.

[madman365]

...but maybe....just maybe...against all conventional wisdom and knowledge...Apple was developing it's first ever gaming console. I mean, I'd buy it. With new interest from Gaming Software companies emerging because of iphone and what not, why not break into the realm of gaming systems. Give xbox something to worry about. Create a hub that is Apple TV, Base Station, Internet, and is a true gaming console. Come on. iGame, anyone?

For an unsophisticated end user, I would buy it.

[Small White Car]

Apple has applied for yet another patent...

I wonder if it's time for a "Patent News" tab on MacRumors up there next to the iPhone tab!

Seems like there'd be enough content to keep it busy...

[ArtOfWarfare]

but...

I like using open flames as my IR source for the Wiimote!

And I'd like to be able to use open flames for this too!

...

I like fire. :rolleyes:

[JAYGEE]

If Apple allowed games on Apple TV, just like they are with the iPhone/iPod Touch, what would the graphics be like? Would the games be able to compete with the Xbox 360 & PS3, graphics wise, or would the games be more Wii like?

Maybe the next gen Apple TV could have better graphics?

[kkat69]

but...

I like using open flames as my IR source for the Wiimote!

And I'd like to be able to use open flames for this too!

...

I like fire. :rolleyes:

LOL Yah, this is one drawback to the Wiimote. As long as it picks up light it works. Which is why you can use christmas ornaments as your wiimote bar, as long as they're spaced properly.

[jnc]

If Apple allowed games on Apple TV, just like they are with the iPhone/iPod Touch, what would the graphics be like? Would the games be able to compete with the Xbox 360 & PS3, graphics wise, or would the games be more Wii like?


Come on, now. Don't talk crazy talk.

[JAYGEE]

Come on, now. Don't talk crazy talk.

;)

And your actual answer is...? :cool:

[ArtOfWarfare]

;)

And your actual answer is...? :cool:

I heard the Apple TV was par with a Mac Mini as far as processor and stuff. So... I imagine it'd be about Wii quality. Which isn't bad at all. (It's not great but... consider the price of the systems in question... to make the Apple TV capable of rivaling the 360 I think they'd have to double the price... if Apple were to make a gaming system I'd rather it was separate from the Apple TV... with the streaming media available on it too of course.)

[joelmejiaganan]

...but maybe....just maybe...against all conventional wisdom and knowledge...Apple was developing it's first ever gaming console. I mean, I'd buy it. With new interest from Gaming Software companies emerging because of iphone and what not, why not break into the realm of gaming systems. Give xbox something to worry about. Create a hub that is Apple TV, Base Station, Internet, and is a true gaming console. Come on. iGame, anyone?

For an unsophisticated end user, I would buy it.

I'll buy it too. I think that if Apple get into the games arena it will be with casual games like the ones for the iPod or something like it.

[jnc]

;)

And your actual answer is...? :cool:

Considering price and size, you can't possibly expect anything greater than Wii graphics. I doubt Apple can pull a gaming machine out of their hat more impressive in spec in such a diminutive enclosure - Wii is small, and it still has an external psu

[Raidersmojo]

apple I do not think would get into the gaming industry. you would need a lot of third party support for games along with some killer first party games and apple really doesn't have a huge gaming department.

the market is already flooded with video game systems and the "next gen" systems are to be released in the 2010 time frame. when would apple launch the product? who would make games for it? we'd need more than EA to push systems out the door.

[stephenli]

i suppose Nintendo had this patent?
Isn't this system being too similar to wii?

[MacGohil]

I heard the Apple TV was par with a Mac Mini as far as processor and stuff. So... I imagine it'd be about Wii quality. Which isn't bad at all. (It's not great but... consider the price of the systems in question... to make the Apple TV capable of rivaling the 360 I think they'd have to double the price... if Apple were to make a gaming system I'd rather it was separate from the Apple TV... with the streaming media available on it too of course.)


Apple has great affinity with integrated devices... kinda one for all devices.
It would be nuts to have an Apple-TV and another Apple-Gaming box stacked on top of each other. Just trying to visualise these two devices stacked together doesnt really conveys Apple's minimalistic ideas. If apple ever enter the gaming market it would be with a combo device which will be a single device. In my opinion it will be able to stream videos to another remote screen in the bedroom while the GROWNUP KIDS are busy playing games on the main Plamsa screen in the living room.

I would cost much less to bump the specs of Apple-TV to accomodate the gaming features and make it do both (gaming and media streaming) then having two lines of similar looking products and increasing the complexity for the end-user having to deal with two devices.... that doesnt really sounds appleish enough for me.

apple I do not think would get into the gaming industry. you would need a lot of third party support for games along with some killer first party games and apple really doesn't have a huge gaming department.

the market is already flooded with video game systems and the "next gen" systems are to be released in the 2010 time frame. when would apple launch the product? who would make games for it? we'd need more than EA to push systems out the door.

Apple is already supporting gaming technologies while they are supporting the gaming apps for the IPhone platform.... So they will already have the know-how for gaming in another 6-months time.... All they need to do is expand the gaming technology from IPhone to the Apple-TV and bump the Apple-TV hardware specs up a notch.... I can see it iGame :apple::eek::D

[Sijmen]

An App-store and games for the AppleTV would be awesome, given they'll find another way of controlling the game, like this patent.

[ArtOfWarfare]

They wouldn't even need to rename the :apple:TV if they were to add in games.

They just need to release the :apple:TV SDK now for us to get games on it. I don't imagine it would be any where near as successful as the iPhone SDK though since it doesn't have any revolutionary controls and it's not much of a hot product.

[diamond.g]

They wouldn't even need to rename the :apple:TV if they were to add in games.

They just need to release the :apple:TV SDK now for us to get games on it. I don't imagine it would be any where near as successful as the iPhone SDK though since it doesn't have any revolutionary controls and it's not much of a hot product.

I am actually curious to know how Apple would handle piracy. I know the PS3 and the 360 don't allow you to see the drive structure (normally). They also have hypervisors (in hopes) to prevent unsigned code from running. Do we know if Apple TV has all (or any) of that?