Nintendo has been playing around with a lot of different input methods for its best-selling Wii of late, including an inflatable, vibrating, air-filled cushion that would simulate horseback riding. The publisher also seems to be testing the waters with a more practical bicycle peripheral, which would integrate with an unannounced Wii biking game and cost $89.99, should it see the light of day.

　　Now, yet another peripheral has surfaced for the Wii, this time in the online database of the European Patent Office. As originally spotted by Siliconera, the patent application in question seeks to enhance the realism of sports games by introducing a ball-shaped peripheral. As a representative example, the filing details a way in which a Wii Remote can be affixed to a "foam, sponge, or plastic" football.

　　"The ball can be an accessory that comprises a model of a football that is provided with a depression which snugly accepts and retains the handheld controller," reads the filing. "The handheld controller may sense motion, position and/or orientation of the ball model and provide inputs wirelessly or via wires to a video game system. The video game system may process such inputs to provide a simulated sports action game play on a video display."

　　Running with the football example, the filing details a way in which the faux pigskin would be attached via strap to the player's hand, with the Wii Remote being positioned near where a real ball's laces would be. From there, the device would recognize natural movements made by the player, such as sensing the body's up-and-down motion to judge running speed or arm movement to approximate passes.

　　Nintendo had not responded to requests for comment concerning the peripheral as of press time.