{
  "patent_number": "US 4687200",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How the Nintendo D-Pad Works",
  "original_title": "Multi-directional switch",
  "summary": "A mechanical switch design that allows a user to control directional movement in video games using a single, tilting thumb-operated button.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes the mechanical structure of the directional pad, or D-pad, found on game controllers. It uses a central fulcrum that allows a single key member to tilt in multiple directions. When a user presses one side of the button, the key tilts, pressing a flexible rubber layer down onto a specific electrical contact on the circuit board below. This creates a simple electrical connection that tells the game console which direction the player wants to move.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover digital joysticks or analog sticks that measure the degree of tilt.",
    "Does not cover touch-sensitive directional controls or capacitive surfaces.",
    "Does not cover switches that use separate, individual buttons for each direction.",
    "Does not cover wireless communication methods for sending the button press signal."
  ],
  "filed": "1985-08-09",
  "granted": "1987-08-18",
  "expires": "2005-08-09",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Nintendo Co Ltd",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/nintendo-co-ltd",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Ichiro Shirai",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/ichiro-shirai"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 129,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical",
    "gaming"
  ],
  "abstract": "A four-directional switch which can be turned on and off in four directions, which comprises a base plate having a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, a key top having an indication showing predetermined four pressing directions in an identifiable manner, a support member constituting a fulcrum between the base plate and the key top, a plurality of conductive rubbers disposed opposing to the plurality of electrodes so as to be in electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrodes, and a sustaining member having the plurality of conductive rubbers fixed thereto and having elastic force for sustaining the conductive rubbers so as not to be in contact with the electrodes when the key top is not pressed.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4687200/nintendo-d-pad-directional",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4687200/nintendo-d-pad-directional/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US4687200",
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}