Nintendo Switch 2 ?

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Recently, Nintendo has not officially announced any new devices, but there have been rumors and reports of a new console codenamed "Switch 2" in the works for a release in 2024. 

Nintendo Switch 是一款由任天堂開發的電玩遊戲機，於2017 年3 月3 日在全球大部分地區發布。最近，任天堂尚未正式宣布任何新設備，但有傳言和報道稱有一款代號為「Switch 2 」的新遊戲機正在準備於 2024 年發布。

According to a report from VGC, development kits for the next-gen console have already been sent to key partner studios. The report also claims that the new console will be able to be used in portable mode, similar to the Nintendo Switch. Other rumored features of the Switch 2 include a more powerful processor, more RAM, and a better display. It is also possible that the console will support 4K gaming at home.

根據 VGC 的報告1，下一代遊戲機的開發套件已發送給主要合作夥伴工作室。 報導還聲稱，新遊戲機將能夠在便攜式模式下使用，類似於任天堂 Switch。 Switch 2 的其他傳聞功能包括更強大的處理器、更多的 RAM 和更好的顯示器。 該遊戲機也有可能支援家庭 4K 遊戲。

To validate this speculation before the "Switch 2" release, let's take a look at the patent and trademark applications filed by Nintendo in recent years and see if we can see any clues.

為了在《Switch 2》發布之前驗證這項猜測，讓我們來看看任天堂近年來提交的專利申請，看看可不可以看到一點線索。

According to a simple search of TMview, Nintendo didn't file any Switch-related trademark recently.

透過TMview進行的簡單檢索，任天堂最近沒有申請任何與 Switch 相關的商標。

When searching on the recently filed patent applications, Nintendo filed a series of US non-provisional applications dated 11 May 2023 with application numbers 18/316008, 18/316018, and 18/316068. These patent applications are prior to three PCT applications with a priority date of late 2020.

在檢索最近提交的專利申請時，任天堂於 2023 年 5 月 11 日提交了一系列美國非臨時申請案，申請號分別為 18/316008、18/316018 和 18/316068。 這些專利申請先於三項 PCT 申請，優先權日期為 2020 年底。

Nintendo filed the above-mentioned three patent applications for their new joysticks, which may be applied to Switch 2. For the joysticks that appear in the current Switch product, Joy-Con drift may happen from time to time. The current joystick applied in the Switch is a potentiometer joystick, which uses physical electric contacts to send a signal through the board. When physical wear and tear occur between the contacts, Joy-Con drift happens and no action is executed when there is a command input by the joystick.

任天堂為其新操縱桿提交了上述三項專利申請，這些專利申請可能會應用於 Switch 2上。對於目前 Switch 產品中出現的搖桿，Joy-Con 漂移可能會不時發生。目前Switch中所應用的搖桿是電位器搖桿，它利用實體電觸點透過板子發送訊號。 當觸點之間發生物理磨損時，Joy-Con 會發生漂移，且當搖桿輸入命令時不執行任何操作。

The disclosed magnetic joystick controller may solve the Joy-Con drift issue. The magnetic joystick controller is mainly composed of four sections: a stick portion, a restoring force imparting section, a resistance section, and a magnetic field generation section (422).

任天堂所揭露的磁力搖桿控制器可以解決Joy-Con漂移問題。 磁力搖桿控制器主要由四個部分組成：桿部、回復力施加部、阻力部和磁場產生部（422）。

When a stick is configured to be displaced from an initial position, the circuit is configured to change the intensity of the magnetic field by changing a current flow (known as the "Hall effect"). Since the magnetic field generation section (422) is controlled by the circuit, more magnetic field is provided to the magnetorheological fluid. Therefore, the viscosity becomes greater by varying the intensity of a magnetic field, and more resistance is provided by the resistance section when the stick is displaced back to the initial position, plus the restoring force provided by a restoring force imparting section. The whole displacement process can be achieved without physical electric contacts.

當桿部被配置為從初始位置移位時，電路被配置為透過改變電流來改變磁場強度（稱為“霍爾效應”）。 由於磁場產生部(422)由電路控制，因此能夠向磁流變流體提供更多的磁場。因此，透過改變磁場強度，黏度變得更大，當桿部移動回到初始位置時，阻力部分提供更大的阻力，加上恢復力施加部分提供的恢復力。 整個位移過程無需物理電接觸即可實現。

Apart from the above-mentioned patent applications, Nintendo also filed some patent applications related to VR devices and the method of image formation, which may not related to Switch 2.

除了上述專利申請外，任天堂還提交了一些與VR設備和成像方法相關的專利申請，這些專利申請可能與Switch 2無關。