# 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. - **Patent:** US 8702514 - **Original title:** Controller device and controller system - **Owner:** Nintendo Co Ltd - **Granted:** 2014 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 11 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, gaming ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Nintendo Wii U GamePad ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8702514/wii-balance-board **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8702514 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Nintendo's Wii Remote Tracks Motion and Infrared Light](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE45905/walkman-portable-cassette-player) — A patent describing the Wii Remote's technology for tracking physical movement and infrared light to control video games wirelessly. - [How Game Controllers Change Button Functions Using Plug-in Accessories](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10543427/joy-con-motion-controls) — A system for game controllers that automatically changes what a button does when you physically attach a hardware accessory to the controller. - [How the Nintendo D-Pad Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4687200/nintendo-d-pad-directional) — A mechanical switch design that allows a user to control directional movement in video games using a single, tilting thumb-operated button. - [How the First Home Video Game Console Worked](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3659285/video-game-console-magnavox) — Ralph Baer's 1969 patent for the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game system, which generated controllable dots on a standard television screen using analog circuitry. - [Adjusting Touchscreen Sensitivity Based on Device Tilt Angle](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20160291760/contact-discrimination-using-a-tilt-angle-of-a-touch-sensitive-surface) — This patent describes how a computing device can decide if a touch on its screen is intentional or accidental by changing its sensitivity settings based on how much the device is tilted.