Nintendo Wii Balance Board Instruction Manual

2008 Nintendo RVL-06-0344-001-A
CONFIDENTIAL Released: March 26, 2008
Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
Version 1.10
The content of this document is highly confidential
and should be handled accordingly.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
RVL-06-0344-001-A 22008 Nintendo
Released: March 26, 2008 CONFIDENTIAL
Confidential
These coded instructions, statements, and computer programs contain proprietary information of Nintendo
of America Inc. and/or Nintendo Company Ltd. and are protected by Federal copyright law. They may not be
disclosed to third parties or copied or duplicated in any form, in whole or in part, without the prior written
consent of Nintendo.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
2008 Nintendo 3RVL-06-0344-001-A
CONFIDENTIAL Released: March 26, 2008
Table of Contents
1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Level of Importance ..............................................................................................................................5
1.2 Notes for the Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines.......................................................................5
1.3 Do Not Use Wii Development and SDK Files on Other Platforms........................................................5
2 Wii Balance Board Accessory.......................................................................................................................6
2.1 Disconnection Processing for the Wii Remote Controller [Required]...................................................6
2.2 Load Restrictions [Required] ................................................................................................................6
2.3 Operation Restrictions [Required].........................................................................................................6
2.4 Operation Method User Warnings [Recommended].............................................................................6
2.5 Threshold Value for Stepping On and Off After Setting the Zero Point [Required]...............................6
2.6 Preparation for Accurate Load Measurement [Required] .....................................................................7
2.7 Time Required for Accurate Load Measurement [Required] ................................................................7
2.8 Time Restrictions for Accurate Load Measurement [Required]............................................................7
2.9 Use of the HOME Menu with Wii Balance Board Accessory Support [Required].................................7
2.10 Processing for Insufficient Remaining Battery Power [Required].........................................................7
2.11 Troubleshooting Mode [Required].........................................................................................................8
2.12 [Japanese Version Only] Compliance with the Measurement Law [Required].....................................8
2.12.1 Display Based on Guaranteed Accuracy.......................................................................................8
2.12.2 Weight Display Restrictions...........................................................................................................8
Tables
Table 2-1 Usable Display Units ..................................................................................................................8

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
RVL-06-0344-001-A 42008 Nintendo
Released: March 26, 2008 CONFIDENTIAL
Revision History
Version Revision Date Description
1.10 2008/02/06
•Added a note to perform a check to section 2.2 Load Restrictions
[Required].
•Changed level of importance for section 2.3 Operation Restrictions to
[Required].
•In section 2.3 Operation Restrictions [Required], separated out the
warning sentence for the user, and created section 2.4 Operation
Method User Warnings [Recommended].
•Changed “Threshold Value to Determine Stepping On and Off” to section
2.5 Threshold Value for Stepping On and Off After Setting the Zero Point
[Required].
•In section 2.6 Preparation for Accurate Weight Load Measurement
[Required], added a method to check for an unloaded state using the
WBCRead function.
•In section 2.10 Processing for Insufficient Remaining Battery Power
[Required], added notes to check the remaining battery power.
•Added a note, “Refer to the Programming Manual for details,” to section
2.11 Fault Check Mode [Required].
•Standardized zero-point notation.
1.00 2007/12/14 Initial version.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
2008 Nintendo 5RVL-06-0344-001-A
CONFIDENTIAL Released: March 26, 2008
1 Overview
This document summarizes the guideline items that must be followed by applications supporting the
Wii Balance Board accessory.
In particular, when developing a Japanese language version of an application, you must observe the
content in section 2.12 [Japanese Version Only] Compliance with the Measurement Law [Required] to
comply with the Measurement Law in Japan.
1.1 Level of Importance
The following levels indicate the importance of the individual programming guidelines.
[Required] Items that must be implemented
[Recommended] Items that should be implemented
In addition, related items may be marked as [Information].
1.2 Notes for the Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
This document was established to reduce problems in the market. However, following these guidelines
does not guarantee that all problems will be avoided.
1.3 Do Not Use Wii Development and SDK Files on Other Platforms
Do not use the files included in the various Wii console SDKs and development tools on other
platforms.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
RVL-06-0344-001-A 62008 Nintendo
Released: March 26, 2008 CONFIDENTIAL
2 Wii Balance Board Accessory
2.1 Disconnection Processing for the Wii Remote Controller [Required]
Disconnect the Wii Remote on 4P before connecting the Wii Balance Board accessory.
Without this disconnection, the Wii Balance Board accessory cannot be connected.
2.2 Load Restrictions [Required]
To prevent users that exceed 150 kg (330 lbs) in weight from using the Wii Balance Board accessory,
display a message similar to “The applied load exceeds the allowable range.” and do not continue until
it has been confirmed that the load is 150 kg (330 lbs) or less. Always check the load limit at the same
time as the user’s weight after setting the zero point.
The Wii Balance Board accessory is designed for the maximum static weight of 300 kg (661 lbs). As a
result, it is conceivable that users whose weight exceeds 150 kg (330 lbs) may apply a load that
exceeds this expectation.
2.3 Operation Restrictions [Required]
To ensure safety, do not ask users to perform the following types of actions on the Wii Balance Board
accessory.
•Jump
•Run
•Stand on the edge of the Wii Balance Board accessory
•Step on with other people at the same time
•Perform motions that can easily result in a loss of balance
2.4 Operation Method User Warnings [Recommended]
For example, for a game in which a user may unconsciously be inclined to jump, display a message in
advance to the effect that jumping is not permitted, treat an excessive drop in the load as a jump and
cease game progress, or take some other similar action. Take similar measures if you are concerned
that the user may perform some action, other than a jump, for which their safety cannot be ensured.
2.5 Threshold Value for Stepping On and Off After Setting the Zero Point
[Required]
After setting the zero point, use a load of 2 kg (4 lbs) or greater as the threshold value to determine
when a user has stepped onto and off of the Wii Balance Board accessory. This value does not depend
on the weight of the user.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
2008 Nintendo 7RVL-06-0344-001-A
CONFIDENTIAL Released: March 26, 2008
2.6 Preparation for Accurate Load Measurement [Required]
Immediately before performing an accurate weight measurement (for example, in order to display the
weight), always display a message that prompts the user to step off of the Wii Balance Board
accessory.
Next, do the following.
1. Call the WBCRead function to confirm that the user has stepped off of the Wii Balance Board
accessory.
2. Execute the temperature update command to set the zero point and to correct the weight value.
3. Display a message that prompts the user to step onto the Wii Balance Board accessory.
For details, see the Function Reference Manual.
2.7 Time Required for Accurate Load Measurement [Required]
When precisely measuring a load (for example, in order to display a weight), allow two seconds
respectively for zero-point correction and for load measurement.
The accuracy of the Wii Balance Board accessory measurement is guaranteed by taking the average
value over two seconds.
2.8 Time Restrictions for Accurate Load Measurement [Required]
When precisely measuring a load (for example, in order to display a weight), prompt the user to take
the measurement within 10 seconds of the zero-point correction that immediately precedes it.
If 10 seconds have passed, either cancel the measurement or repeat the measurement process.
2.9 Use of the HOME Menu with Wii Balance Board Accessory Support
[Required]
Use the HOME Menu that supports the Wii Balance Board accessory.
2.10Processing for Insufficient Remaining Battery Power [Required]
When the remaining battery power obtained with the WBCGetBatteryLevel function is 0, prompt the
user to replace the batteries.
Specifically, display the message “Replace the Wii Balance Board batteries” on the screen and do not
continue until the user has replaced the batteries.
Check the remaining battery power during each frame. The reason for this is that the WPADRead
function will always return a value of 0 for press when the remaining battery power obtained by the
WBCGetBatteryLevel function becomes 0, and Wii Balance Board operations will become impossible.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
RVL-06-0344-001-A 82008 Nintendo
Released: March 26, 2008 CONFIDENTIAL
2.11Troubleshooting Mode [Required]
Implement a fault check mode for the Wii Balance Board accessory.
This is to allow the user to confirm that the Wii Balance Board accessory is operating properly.
The fault check mode will confirm that each of the four Wii Balance Board sensors can obtain
measurement values. If even one measurement value cannot be obtained, an error will be displayed to
the user. For details, see the Wii Balance Board Accessory Programming Manual.
2.12[Japanese Version Only] Compliance with the Measurement Law
[Required]
2.12.1 Display Based on Guaranteed Accuracy
It is prohibited to display load figures onscreen with a greater degree of accuracy than the content of
the Weight Display section that is published as a specification in the Wii Balance Board Accessory
Operations Manual.
The units that can be used in the display vary according to the load, as described below.
Table 2-1 Usable Display Units
Load Units
0-100 kg (0-220 lbs) 500 g (1 lb)
100-136 kg (220-300 lbs) 1 kg (2 lbs)
For example, it is not permitted to display 62.1 kg (136.9 lbs).
However, just as for a scale with an analog display, it is acceptable to use a scale with tick marks every
500 g (1 lb) for loads up to 100 kg (220 lbs), and to show the load by indicating a level in between two
tick marks.
2.12.2 Weight Display Restrictions
For games that are intended for the Japanese market, do not display the weight when a load that
exceeds 136 kg (300 lbs) is applied. For games that are intended for the North American and
European markets, do not display the weight when a load that exceeds 150kg (330 lbs) is applied.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
2008 Nintendo 9RVL-06-0344-001-A
CONFIDENTIAL Released: March 26, 2008
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companies.

Wii Balance Board Accessory Guidelines
RVL-06-0344-001-A 10 2008 Nintendo
Released: March 26, 2008 CONFIDENTIAL
© 2008 Nintendo
The contents of this document cannot be
duplicated, copied, reprinted, transferred,
distributed or loaned in whole or in part without
the prior approval of Nintendo.