US patent for 'software emulating a handheld video game platform'
Nintendo has obtained a US patent for software capable of emulating the performance of handheld devices on 'low capability target platforms'.
Though it is unclear what precise use Nintendo has in mind for the tech, the patent cites possible applications to include seat-back displays for airline or train use, PDAs, and cell phones.
The patent specifies the Game Boy series of handheld devices, and it seems likely that Nintendo hopes this tech will open up a new market for their backlog of games.
The patent was filed in October of 2003.
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This is such old news I thought I was psychic for a moment. You've even acknowledged that it was filed in 2003. This has been known for so long that it's been forgotten about.
I remember the potential issues raised when a homebrew programmer made an emulator on the GBA for something like a GB or SNES (can't remember the exact details), or was it on a DS?
Two words: "Prior art"
Homebrew emulators for portable devices have been available for decades now, long before Nintendo thought to file this patent.
