How Nintendo's Wii U GamePad Controller Attachment Works
A patent describing a modular gaming controller system where a tablet-like screen can be snapped into a larger frame with physical grips and buttons.
Original patent title: “Controller device and controller system”
A patent describing a modular gaming controller system where a tablet-like screen can be snapped into a larger frame with physical grips and buttons. Granted to Nintendo Co Ltd in 2014 with 16 claims and 11 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a modular controller system consisting of a primary tablet-like device with a screen and an additional 'grip' frame. The frame features two parallel, bar-shaped handles and a central support section that holds the tablet in place. When attached, the system allows the user to hold the grips while the screen remains in a vertical orientation. It also includes specific mechanical engagement tabs that lock the tablet into the frame, ensuring the device remains stable during gameplay.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover controllers that lack a detachable display device.
- Does not cover generic tablet stands that do not include integrated game operation sections (buttons/sticks).
- Does not cover handheld devices where the grips are permanently fixed and cannot be removed.
- Does not cover wireless communication protocols themselves, only the system configuration.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The design cleverly solves the ergonomics of a large, flat screen by placing the grips in a 'sandwich' configuration—one grip positioned forward of the screen and one behind—allowing for a comfortable, balanced hold on a wide, plate-shaped device.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Nintendo Wii U GamePad
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent covers the hardware architecture of the Nintendo Wii U GamePad, a significant attempt to bridge the gap between traditional home console gaming and portable tablet-style experiences. It represents a specific design philosophy where the controller itself acts as a secondary screen and input hub, influencing how developers created dual-screen gameplay experiences.
Filed
August 10, 2011
Granted
April 22, 2014
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Nintendo remains the primary entity associated with this design. While the specific Wii U hardware is no longer in active production, the concept of modular gaming controllers has been explored by various third-party accessory makers and handheld PC gaming companies looking to improve ergonomics for large-screen devices.
Market impact
This patent helped define the unique form factor of the Wii U console system. It established a specific hardware standard for Nintendo's dual-screen gaming strategy, effectively creating a proprietary controller category that required dedicated software support to fully utilize the attached display and input sections.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a modular controller system consisting of a primary tablet-like device with a screen and an additional 'grip' frame. The frame features two parallel, bar-shaped handles and a central support section that holds the tablet in place. When attached, the system allows the user to hold the grips while the screen remains in a vertical orientation. It also includes specific mechanical engagement tabs that lock the tablet into the frame, ensuring the device remains stable during gameplay.
The clever bit
The design cleverly solves the ergonomics of a large, flat screen by placing the grips in a 'sandwich' configuration—one grip positioned forward of the screen and one behind—allowing for a comfortable, balanced hold on a wide, plate-shaped device.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover controllers that lack a detachable display device.
- Does not cover generic tablet stands that do not include integrated game operation sections (buttons/sticks).
- Does not cover handheld devices where the grips are permanently fixed and cannot be removed.
- Does not cover wireless communication protocols themselves, only the system configuration.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
22/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$120K – $384K
Midpoint $240K · 5.2 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
16 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Suetake, F., Nishida, T., Tsuchiya, H., Wakitani, N., GOTO, Y., Ikuta, H., Ibuki, M., Yamamoto, S., Hori, Y., Kumazaki, D., Ashida, K., Yamamoto, N., Suga, A., & Takamoto, J. (2014). How Nintendo's Wii U GamePad Controller Attachment Works (U.S. Patent No. 8,702,514). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8702514/wii-balance-board
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Nintendo's Wii U GamePad Controller Attachment Works cover?
A patent describing a modular gaming controller system where a tablet-like screen can be snapped into a larger frame with physical grips and buttons.
Who owns patent US 8702514?
Nintendo Co Ltd owns this patent, granted in 2014.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 22, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 8702514 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 11 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent covers the hardware architecture of the Nintendo Wii U GamePad, a significant attempt to bridge the gap between traditional home console gaming and portable tablet-style experiences. It represents a specific design philosophy where the controller itself acts as a secondary screen and input hub, influencing how developers created dual-screen gameplay experiences.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover controllers that lack a detachable display device.
Same assignee
More from Nintendo Co Ltd
Patent monitoring