Microsoft patents motion-sensing technology

New spatial-measurement system detailed; will the Xbox 360 eventually incorporate a Revolution-style player interface?

Nintendo has made no secret of its "blue ocean" strategy for the next generation of console wars. Instead of getting bogged down trying to do the same thing its competitors are doing, only better, the company is looking to explore new waters, creating markets where there are no competitors. One of the prime examples of this strategy is the motion-sensitive controller for the Nintendo Revolution, but the blue ocean Nintendo had envisioned could be getting pretty crowded by the time the system comes out.

Last week, a post on the flash-game and movie site Razoric.com sparked rumors that Sony was hard at work on a Revolution-style controller for the PlayStation 2, and now there's evidence that Microsoft is exploring similar technologies.

A little over a week ago, a US patent was granted to Microsoft for a new method of spatial measurement. Basically, the setup proposed in the patent application can track an object's path through 3D space using multiple-range cameras in a more accurate and consumer-friendly manner than has previously been available. The patent was originally applied for in August of 2004.

The patent makes no mention of the technology being used for anything game-related, but it does say it would ideally be implemented with something that has the basic components of a personal computer, and also emphasizes that a number of modifications and variations to the technology are possible. The only use for the technology explicitly described in the patent is that of tracking a user's path walking around a room.

Microsoft has already announced that a camera peripheral is in the works for the Xbox 360. And while the company has been talking about video chat and video mail as future Xbox functions for years, recent reports indicate that the Xbox 360 camera is more than just a simple webcam. A recent report on Xbox 360 Fanboy cites a member of the Microsoft hardware team as saying that the next-gen system's camera will allow for gesture-initiated gameplay. As an example of such, the article suggests a game where players can uses gestures to silently give their teammates orders to advance or retreat.

Microsoft representatives did not immediately return requests for comment.

183 Comments

  • Luthmann_D

    Posted Oct 31, 2008 11:01 am PT

    It seems Microsoft is trying to get ALL the good traits of other consoles, and yet adding on it. It's kind of ripping off, yet, it's cool. Though unfair and idiotic, it creates a great console. Now they are copying Mii's on NXE, Motion sensing controllers, better graphics with new processors, new HDD's, instant queue of movies and individual blue-ray players. Holy crap!

    All consoles out now are great^^ I love this generation

  • MrGordons

    Posted Apr 22, 2008 9:42 am PT

    i dont think soo...

  • magicalclick

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 6:51 pm PT

    Hummm...... that could a reasonable move for MS since Wii games are very different from what X360 has. Attracting more Wii type games will certainly improve the casual image for MS console.

    But I just feel doing this is just very cheap. I mean sure every body copies every body. And to catch up the motion sensor technology is necessary. And Wii mote is pretty much a standard that everyone should follow. But I just can't stop thinking that MS should introduce something better.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 7:22 am PT

    if they copied Nintendo how come sony holds the pattent since 1999?
    it's Nintendo who copied Sony's pattent right here....
    http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=JP11099284&F=0&QPN=JP11099284

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 11:17 am PT

    i dont see the need for a camera

  • Sandman100

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 9:50 am PT

    Xbox Live Rules.

  • Sandman100

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 9:50 am PT

    I don't see how this is exactly copying by Microsoft, the Sidewinder Freestyle controllers are motion sensors and they came out years ago. Motion controllers are nothing new. I agree.

    Players can uses gestures to silently give their teammates orders to advance or retreat. That sound cool.

  • Cheese-grater

    Posted May 12, 2006 12:46 pm PT

    I dont see how this is exactly copying by microsoft, the Sidewinder Freestyle controllers are motion sensors and they came out years ago. Motion controllers are nothing new.

  • T1Sephiroth

    Posted May 8, 2006 10:29 pm PT

    Ha, SONY just copied Nintendo with a motion sensing 6 degrees of freedom controller in the PS3! GREAT! Too bad it's not 3D controll like Wii has...

  • viking8813

    Posted Mar 12, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    Its not stealing. Its learning what sells. It doesnt matter if the idea came out 1st with Sony, What matters is who does it right. I hate the eye toy personally but who knows i might like Microsofts version. If it wasnt for society copying everyone else we wouldnt have fast computers all together. Think about it. Compatision makes these companys work harder and stronger on a good product.

  • ferrarimanf355

    Posted Mar 10, 2006 7:29 pm PT

    Nintendo, innovative? Stop making me laugh! Mario Party 7. Enough said.

  • Zacek1000

    Posted Mar 10, 2006 7:37 am PT

    I can't believe, but it's something that sooner or later would happened... Good luck Nintendo...

  • akira0864

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:50 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • akira0864

    Posted Mar 9, 2006 8:49 pm PT

    Probably...because dual screens suck, and it'll go for a PDA or the new "Ultramoblie PC" breed, where as nintendo will not.

    Anybody remember that multiple cameras are used for motion capture in 3D movies? How about that possibility? Could be pretty bad ass to make your own 3d animation for models. I dunno, I'm thinking of new possibilites and more and more...but if you fanboiz wanna rip each other's throats out, fine by me.

    ...and Anti-grav's pretty cool...

  • lordcarbo

    Posted Mar 8, 2006 12:41 pm PT

    I actally expected this to happen... Nintendo is the god of video game innovation. Whatever they incorporate into their system will just be copied later on. First the rumble pack, now this. In fact, the "next gen PSP" is probably going to have a touchscreen.

  • Xerosyphon

    Posted Mar 7, 2006 12:42 pm PT

    They are not getting a patent on all motion sensing tech, just the technology they devoloped themselves.

  • strifegeek

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 2:55 pm PT

    Thanos_of_MW, I knew that Nintendo didn't create the Power Glove. When I was talking about Nintendo's Innovations, I wasn't including that. Sorry for the confusion.

  • paladinvn

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 2:19 pm PT

    poor the big N... I dunno how can they keep up if the other 2 mimic their gimmick...

  • Chaosctf2k

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 11:25 am PT

    How about a camera that allows smells and scenarios. Like if I'm walking into town, I can hear and feel the breeze. My body needs relaxation.. not every gamer likes to see who they are fighting. I remember Motor GP... (hhmm confused on the title for a moment). In the arcades, they had a fan by the screen, shot out air. I used to spit in the air to make it feel more life like.. lol boy was I weird.

  • Bloodlustt

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 7:58 am PT

    Bill Gates For President!

  • captainalpha1

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 7:56 am PT

    Obviously, Nintendo is becoming a threat yet again in the gaming community.

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 7:35 am PT

    Strifegeek, Nintendo didn't come up with the PowerGlove. It was Mattel who sold it for the Nintendo system and it was designed by the New York company AGE.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 5:12 am PT

    microsoft sucks. they need to burn with sony.

  • friar_joe

    Posted Mar 6, 2006 5:01 am PT

    Ericvon71 nintendo isnt in 3rd. in the world market they're 2nd and that doesnt even incude handhelds...

  • Jahalo

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 6:12 pm PT

    Just like Microsoft... Greedy!

  • Antihistamine1

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 4:33 pm PT

    WTF. Who gives a crap about this, I want to know when they'll be getting a steady stream of 360's flowing into stores. Why are Sony and Microsoft trying so hard to counter Nintendo when they should be worried about getting their systems out there.

  • ao_bomber

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 4:23 pm PT

    Why are they posting news that happened two years back?

  • choas_era

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    Nothing new to me, I just wait to see who uses this technology the best!

  • Nawras

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 12:11 pm PT

    Sigh... Microsoft...

  • strifegeek

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 10:33 am PT

    Well, Nintendo didn't release the Revolution's controller until 2005, but I did a quick search and couldn't find out when the filed the patent for the controller's idea. For all I know Nintendo could have been working on the Revolution controller years ago.

  • anubis8515

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 8:46 am PT

    if some of you read "The patent was originally applied for in August of 2004"
    before nintendo released any thing..... how is that copying

  • strifegeek

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 8:15 am PT

    Dammit, sorry for double post.

  • strifegeek

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 8:14 am PT

    I am a nintendo fanboy, because that's what I grew up with, and I always was satisfied with the quality of nintendo games. I am also anti-M$, so because of both of these I am a little biased. For those out there saying that a PC dominates for games they are right. At least graphics wise. I really don't care about graphics on my console, because I can get good graphics on my PC. What I want from a console is good games that are fun to play. I don't think M$ was completely copying anything here, because it is there own interpretation of the idea of 3d movement. Based on the desription, it could be a variety of different things. If anything they would be copying thre EyeToy more than the Revolution. Those who state that the Revolution controller is a rip-off of an EyeToy are also wrong. Try to remember way back to the old days of the NES. There were two peripherals called the Zapper and the Power Glove, both of which were able to detect movement. Also look back to the Virtual Boy. Nintendo came up with those innovating(but not so good selling) ideas in the eighties. For the Revolution they just wanted to return to their roots and begin with some ideas built upon their ones from the eighties. On another note, I know of a website that is tracking all of the inventions M$ has created. It currently has two, one of which is Clippy, that annoying paperclip thing on M$WORD.

  • strifegeek

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 8:14 am PT

    I am a nintendo fanboy, because that's what I grew up with, and I always was satisfied with the quality of nintendo games. I am also anti-M$, so because of both of these I am a little biased. For those out there saying that a PC dominates for games they are right. At least graphics wise. I really don't care about graphics on my console, because I can get good graphics on my PC. What I want from a console is good games that are fun to play. I don't think M$ was completely copying anything here, because it is there own interpretation of the idea of 3d movement. Based on the desription, it could be a variety of different things. If anything they would be copying thre EyeToy more than the Revolution. Those who state that the Revolution controller is a rip-off of an EyeToy are also wrong. Try to remember way back to the old days of the NES. There were two peripherals called the Zapper and the Power Glove, both of which were able to detect movement. Also look back to the Virtual Boy. Nintendo came up with those innovating(but not so good selling) ideas in the eighties. For the Revolution they just wanted to return to their roots and begin with some ideas built upon their ones from the eighties. On another note, I know of a website that is tracking all of the inventions M$ has created. It currently has two, one of which is Clippy, that annoying paperclip thing on M$WORD.

  • Kdbba

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 7:53 am PT

    When nintendo came out with the concept of the revolution, all you fanboys put it down saying it was a crap idea, but now that rumors are flying about saying that MS and sony might be getting involved in incorporating this type of technology, all of a sudden you xbox and PS fans wanna jump on the bandwagon.

  • iammai

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 6:31 am PT

    why not, this is a great idea.

  • hittin

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 5:45 am PT

    Bah, M$'ll FLOP.

  • bonik

    Posted Mar 5, 2006 4:38 am PT

    lol.. Microsoft wanting to patent motion sensing technology HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Thats like Nike getting a patent for the colour blue on a shoe. If microsoft think they can take an invention that is available to anyone, and keep it for themself/sell. Then they might aswell take infared, blue-tooth or any idea and bring back civilization where technology will advance much slower

  • Miztic-Berzerk

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 11:19 pm PT

    They applied for it in 2004, long before the rev controller was shown to the world.

  • buniao3

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 9:22 pm PT

    I dont think you can compare this type of technology to the Revolution technology. We'd need more information regarding this concept before we can commit to saying thats a rev controller type schematic.

    I mean, the rev controller adds a new axis in gameplay, but when thinking about motion sensoring, all I can think is "x" and "y" and no "z".

  • Exeed_Orbit

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 6:11 pm PT

    It was to be expected I guess.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    I hope they aren't copying the Rev controller. We don't need a whole bunch of consoles like that.

  • dounowhatiam

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    i allways knew sony would copy it right of the bat,
    but i did think ms would do it that quick
    and nintendo has been working on the rev controler berfore 2001

  • biggorilla

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 4:33 pm PT

    it seems microsoft's only business model is: wait untill something good is invented then steal it, claim it was always theirs and make profit again to enable it to steal more upcoming ideas

    i cannot name one product that microsft has come up with on its own

    not one

  • nishamuffypuppy

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 4:13 pm PT

    See why cant they come up with their own ideas for once?!?

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 4:07 pm PT

    Byt the end of next year, I suspect Microsoft will hold a steady 3rd place in this gen console war.

  • captainalpha1

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 3:23 pm PT

    Actually Nintendo was the original. Hmmm..... The term "Power Glove" comes to mind. Let's just face it, The only originality Microsoft has is in the computer business. Which is where they should stay.

  • neovalkyr

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 3:10 pm PT

    Hello? I have a controller from before the turn of the century from microsoft that when you tilt it in different directions allows you to move in those directions. so is nintendo really that original? Sidewinder freestyle pro. if you think microsoft is really that unoriginal youre pretty stupid.

  • DrMario57

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    Why, why do it. Microsoft can't get away with this! So many ideas have been stolen from Nintendo, just becuase they can't face that Nintendo are the real people in this industry. There must be some copy-right issues here, and hopefully they will come though and Microsoft will pay for what they have done or will do. I think its disgraceful. It really is. Soon as the real public know about this, they will turn to Nintendo as Mirosoft can't be trusted. Bloody yanks, always turning up late for every war...

  • lilazn_boi

    Posted Mar 4, 2006 1:29 pm PT

    Microsoft is such a poser...AZN PRIDE...

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