Tokyo, Japan – Since rumors emerged a month ago about the possibility of the Switch 2’s new Joy-Cons functioning as a computer mouse when slid across a flat surface, Nintendo has now filed a patent that seems to confirm this feature and details how it will operate.
The international patent was submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization in January 2023 and recently made public on WIPO’s website. The patent, written in Japanese but accompanied by an English abstract, outlines the inclusion of a sensor for mouse operations that can detect reflected light from a surface as the controller is moved over it, similar to optical computer mice. The patent’s diagrams depict the placement of a light source, light sensor, and lens within the Joy-Con for this functionality.
According to a machine translation of the patent, the Joy-Con is described as a versatile input device that can serve as both a mouse and other functions. When used as a mouse, the user grips the outer edge of the controller with their palm while placing the inner edge on a desk. This setup allows for continued access to the analog stick with the thumb, while the index and middle fingers can operate the shoulder buttons as right-click and left-click buttons, as described in the patent.
The patent emphasizes the ergonomic design of the Joy-Con, highlighting the ease of holding and gripping the controller. It explains how the placement of the shoulder buttons allows for easy pressing either downward or horizontally with a finger. This configuration aims to provide a comfortable and efficient user experience when utilizing the Joy-Con as a mouse.
Overall, the patent provides insight into the innovative features of the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, showcasing Nintendo’s commitment to integrating new functionalities into their gaming devices. The development of a controller that can double as a mouse opens up possibilities for enhanced user interactions and gameplay experiences on the Switch 2.