New Nintendo Patent Shows Mario-Themed Sleep System

According to a recent patent filed with the United States Patent Office, Nintendo seems to have registered a sleep-monitoring software and hardware with a Mario theme. This new product appears to be similar to last year’s Pokemon Sleep, and aims to gamify healthy sleep habits.

Patented Hardware

Originally discovered by an inquisitive Redditor named NefariousnessFit9350, the findings were shared on the r/Nintendo subreddit.

The patent distinguishes itself from its Pokemon-themed counterpart in various ways. One notable difference is that it also encompasses a dock-like peripheral that can be used alongside the sleep software.

The patent describes a “terminal system”consisting of a “hand-held terminal”and “base device”. This system would transmit “health information”(specifically sleep and fatigue) and “game results”to a server, where the data would be collected and analyzed.

A phone on a dock — Image Source: Nintendo / The United States Patent and Trademark Office

It is highly probable that the hand-held terminal would function as a mobile phone equipped with a specialized application, resembling Pokemon Sleep. The purpose of this would be to track sleep and fatigue levels during gameplay, indicating that the mobile device would provide the necessary processing power.

Despite this, the base device would still play a role in “sensing by sensor” . Its sensor is included with a camera, speaker, projector, and other tools. This is what sets this patent apart from other similar concepts that have already been released by Nintendo.

The Gamification of Sleep

The patent displays a scenario in which Mario awakens and acquires favorable characteristics. It appears that this is a direct result of consistently getting a good night’s sleep. The software includes an “improvement bonus”as motivation for users to maintain a regular and extended sleep schedule.

Mario waking up — Image Source: Nintendo / The United States Patent and Trademark Office

The Game Itself

What makes this patent particularly fascinating is its incorporation of a game that users can participate in, using the amount of sleep they acquire as a form of currency. The patent features a depiction of Mario embarking on an adventure, with the number of “lives”earned through sleep displayed below:

Mario going off on an adventure — Image Source: Nintendo / The United States Patent and Trademark Office

There is uncertainty surrounding whether this software will function in a similar manner to Nintendo’s previous mobile applications. If this is the case, it could potentially resemble Niantic Labs’ 2021 Pikmin Bloom or even Nintendo’s own StreetPass titles. In Pikmin Bloom, players are able to actively engage with various aspects of the game. However, there are moments where they must wait in real-time for their Pikmin to come back with any small treasures they have gathered.

Boss Fights

Despite the length of the wait times, the patent clearly depicts the types of situations that our beloved plumber would find himself in. As evidenced in the patent, Mario would have the capability to engage in battles with adversaries – potentially utilizing a system reminiscent of Niantic’s incredibly successful Pokemon GO.

According to the patent, Mario caused 80 damage points to Bowser and earned 10 coins. It is unclear if these coins would be utilized in an in-app store or not, leaving room for speculation.

Mario fighting Bowser. — Image Source: Nintendo / The United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ambient Display

The main focus of interest is undoubtedly on the specified hardware and Mario-themed software mentioned in the patent. However, the patent also reveals a more subtle aspect of the display. It seems that when the hand-held terminal and base device are connected, the software has the ability to enter a sleep mode.

In the patent, the software is depicted displaying subdued animations on the display, resembling a miniature aquarium. Despite not being the most captivating feature, the concept of this device acting as the focal point of a room is intriguing to Nintendo.

An underwater aquarium — Image Source: Nintendo / The United States Patent and Trademark Office

Road to Nowhere

Although it can be intriguing to consider the potential directions video game patents may take, they often do not result in anything concrete.

Patents are frequently utilized to establish ownership over concepts and designs, providing companies with a sense of security. For instance, the projector system found on the base device bears resemblance to a patent filed by WIPA in 2016 in 2016, which caused excitement among gamers who speculated that it could potentially be incorporated into the Nintendo Switch in the future.

Despite the result, the concept of a health app inspired by Mario is truly unique and unheard of. The fact that Nintendo has even gone as far as patenting it adds to the excitement of this discovery. Don’t miss out on this one!