Sony patents new motion-sensing tech

USPTO filing reveals break-apart controller that incorporates ultrasonic sound capture to improve console's ability to judge distance and movement.

At the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata debuted the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to much fanfare and intrigue. Not a year later, former Sony execs Ken Kutaragi and Phil Harrison used Sony's E3 2006 stage to reveal the game maker's own motion-sensing controller, later dubbed the Sixaxis. However, rather than the universal interest that greeted its contemporary, Sony's device quickly drew fire as an "us too" peripheral that was as much of a surprise to the development community as it was to gamers.

A modern-day samurai.

Although Sony has since distanced itself from the Sixaxis, the motion-sensing tech, along with rumble support, returned with the controller's successor, the Dual Shock 3. Now, it appears as if Sony has further plans to iterate on its visceral input device.

Last week, Sony Computer Entertainment of America's patent application for a new input device emerged in the US Patent and Trademark Office's online database. The application, which was first filed in June, details a new motion-sensing controller whose most distinguishing feature is its ability to break apart and be put back together in a variety of formations. The patent application also details a "hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking system" to deal with motion-sensing.

Who needs face buttons, anyway?

Detailing the need for the sound component of the tracking system, Sony's patent application reads: "Current object tracking suffers in capture accuracy. This problem arises because conventional image analysis can only produce somewhat reliable measurements of the location of the user in two dimensions... Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing methods and systems for establishing communication between a computer program in a computing system and a controller to be held by a user in order to determine the three-dimensional location of the controller."

Sony's pending patent then details how its new motion-detection method "captures one-way sound communication" to provide the gaming console with a third dimension to track the location of a player, while a video device such as the PlayStation Eye handles the other two dimensions. The device also accommodates accelerometer support to determine the controller's orientation.

On second thought, maybe they're fine.

Along with an exceedingly lengthy and esoteric description of how, exactly, the device works its mojo, Sony also submitted a wealth of pictures demonstrating the controller's practical use. In one sketch, a man stands several feet away from a wall-mounted TV equipped with a PS Eye-like device. In his hand is a mock-up of the controller, which has been assembled into a rod formation. On each bulbous end of the rod, sound emitters complement the image captured by the digital camera.

A second image of the device shows a traditional gamepad layout. It also shows how the face buttons can be removed, presumably to allow for the device to be reoriented in a new position. As seen in one other drawing, these button face plates can be secured to the individual pieces of the device.

Sony's (maybe) new controller, now with more ice cream.

Yet one more image shows what clearly is the PlayStation 3, which seems to indicate that the new controller will be introduced for use with the resurgent console. However, often patent illustrations are for illustration purposes only, and do not serve as confirmation of use with a particular piece of hardware.

315 Comments

  • Halloll

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 3:50 am PT

    it looks diffrenet

  • donmega1

    Posted Feb 21, 2009 2:16 am PT

    sweet!

  • shadowblade99

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 8:38 am PT

    So now Sony can make more subpar games like Nintendo has? Great, there goes the neighborhood!

  • Jim-BRAG

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 12:48 pm PT

    That Ball on the controllers look wacky. WTF?

  • kenic

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 8:59 pm PT

    maybe they're just patenting this in case the wiiII comes out with it and kick sony's a** again. That way sony could sue for patent infringement.

  • rarson

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 3:37 pm PT

    "TO GET AS FAR AS AWAY FROM WII AS POSSIBLE...!"

    You didn't have to buy a PS3 for that, and in fact, I'm relatively certain that your status of ownership of the PS3 will have no effect whatsoever on your proximity to the Wii.

    I point out the obvious logical flaw simply because it's apparent that you have an abnormal aversion to an inanimate object.

  • trastamad03

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 10:27 am PT

    its named "Awkward-Remote"

    Fail Sony... FAIL! [continues playing his games with Sixaxis Dualshock3]

  • lordmasterrof

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 9:27 am PT

    Whatever happened to just playing old fashion controller based games?? Playstation did fine, PS2 did fine (VERY MUCH INDEED) i mean?? Come on, i didn't buy the PS3 for motion sensor technology, i bought it for enhanced graphics, greater possibilities for games and last but not least, TO GET AS FAR AS AWAY FROM WII AS POSSIBLE...!

  • -P4R4D0X-

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 1:10 am PT

    It looks like a bone... :s

    It also looks like a step backwards from the Wiimote. A lot bigger, less intuitive, and less streamlined.

  • samir192

    Posted Nov 6, 2008 1:13 pm PT

    Ambitious attempt to replicate the Wiimote, but with a slight twist; looks too complicated though.

  • Myth0s_2000

    Posted Nov 6, 2008 12:45 pm PT

    ugly...

  • Vote_For_McCain

    Posted Nov 6, 2008 4:42 am PT

    This will never come out.

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 7:51 pm PT

    Nice try Sony, playing catch up is not fun. what will they think of next? oh, the next ps might be called WII-station4.

  • NND1

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    Nice Move Sony but games are more important... But still Nice

  • buckybuckster

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 12:10 pm PT

    I can only hope there is at least one intelligent soul working at each of the big three console companies, who is brave and smart enough to pose the following question to it's decision makers....

    "With all of these attempts to innovate the controller, shouldn't we as a company be as equally concerned with the innovation of the GAMES themselves if not more???"

    I mean, isn't that what it's all about...or at least should be??

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 9:51 pm PT

    i like Fig 10. it show game play in motion... i think! whats going on, ah... motion-sensing are LAST GEN.

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 8:49 pm PT

    good try Sony, but we need GAMES!! show us the GAMES!!

  • jsmoke03

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 10:18 am PT

    great...i'm not trying to swing a controller for 6 hours playing god of war 15

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 9:14 am PT

    Motion sensing!? WHEEEEEEEEE!

  • Leo_Colt

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 8:23 am PT

    I approve how they're thinking outside the box, but it looks way too complex. The reason the Wii remote works is because of it's simplicity. People can use their intuition and do what comes naturally to them. Reassembling controllers with many different little bits does not look particularly engaging or efficient.

  • sMeAgOl_VaDeR

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 5:34 am PT

    looks cool, didn't really understand though...

  • Fareru

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 3:17 pm PT

    It will be interesting to see how this develops. I'm sure, if they work on it, it can be a good addition. I am, however, skeptical about releasing this controller for the PS3. I already have my controllers and I don't want to have to buy new ones in order to enjoy certain games. The fact that Dualshock 3 was released a month after I got my PS3 is aggrivating enough!

  • sieg6529

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 7:19 am PT

    Controls don't make the game. Spend more time developing good 1st party games and making the PS3 more competitive online (I would do horrible, horrible things just for some DLC right now).

  • AzureLivesOn

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:56 pm PT

    Sony is getting worse than Nintendo. You need to focus on making and releasing more than 3 games a year before you can dabble in 'innovative technology'.

    Just ask Lair and the Sixaxis. They'll tell you....

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:22 pm PT

    on another note this would probably be more effective released on the PS4... it would look like a sad attempt at beating the wii at its own game if it were released now and with the wii being so much cheaper than a ps3 it would probably fail to achieve the same public appeal - it would be seen as a latecomer with little to offer as few games would support it initially - however if it was delayed until 2012 and released on the PS4 and if developers and in house studios were given ample time beforehand to utilize it in launch titles and it came with the system it would receive more support and acclaim... not to say it couldn't succeed if it was released now - it would just be more difficult to acheive momentum....

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:16 pm PT

    I would applaud good graphics and realistic environments and physics as well as intense and hardcore game play combined with innovative motion sensing controllers - my problem with the wii isn't necessarily the motion sensing (though in some cases i still think a conventional controller is superior), but the titles, of which there are few worth mentioning, and even fewer worth mentioning to hardcore gamers... also it seems like developers have been missing something - voice command - and visual command such as endwar and eyetoy respectively - while end war isn't necessarily a great game by the looks of it and eye toy like visual capture input hasn't been used in a serious title - the input methods themselves have proven themselves in these respective titles and i believe could have wider application with positive results - such as in a fps - you could command your soldier with the controller (or even motion sensing controller) - then you could command you squad using simple voice commands... the possibilities of input combination's are endless in scope and effective in measure...

  • drivemuse

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 6:37 pm PT

    Also, Sony will probably have to make sure it isn't going to be too expensive. I think if it functions properly, it's success will rest upon it's retail price.

  • drivemuse

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 6:32 pm PT

    Looks too confusing and awkward. I can picture pieces going missing and annoyances assembling the controller. But if it works like it's supposed to, it will be awesome!

  • rarson

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 6:00 pm PT

    I have a feeling this will be part of the next Sony console, not the PS3.

  • Spyder25000

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    they used ps3 cause no design for ps4 maybe?
    its been patented, so maybe long way off. i look foward to this though, i like the idea. a shooter where u acully shoot (wii?) mabye hold up a mock gun just made of some light weight cheap material

  • YTP_1991

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 5:48 pm PT

    power glove NOW that made me laff

  • UnknownPerson55

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 1:45 pm PT

    as long as we dont get a power glove...

  • lozza_lover

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 11:45 am PT

    well it looks great if it works....but confusing

  • jayme22

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 11:18 am PT

    lol nice new look controller. women gamers will be overjoyed with the new shape and added rumble.

  • akujin666

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:28 am PT

    With the right games, which we all know sony and its third party support can produce, this could eclipse the Wii with its constant dribble of so so games. Go Sony. Hurry up n show all these casual gamers what gaming is all about.

  • shoeman12

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:10 am PT

    that just looks like too much. if they release this as a ps3 peripheral it will fail just like the eyetoy, the gc dk bongos, and all other peripherals.

  • Toro_Nev

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:40 am PT

    I think sony should just stick to their controls right now.......

  • Compilation

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 7:38 am PT

    Potentially strong, this idea is somewhat all right but I'm not really sure if it matters in today's society. As read in another article, the gaming world of graphics is unlikely to change, as told by a gaming expert, until 2012 onwards, thus when the PS4 is scheduled for release after. The point im making? Leave all the technological gadgets out until the horizon of 2012 onwards. I'm sure their ideations wont go unnoticed, but for better outcome, just pack all of this into the PS4. The PS3 is already experiencing something special. Leave the beat for the last

  • supertank310

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 6:41 am PT

    Looks interesting but there is no real point in it. No game is ever really going to use this other than as a gimmick. I wouldn't buy it, but if a good game came out that needed it then maybe.

  • kalipekona

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 9:18 pm PT

    Motion controls have potential, but so far I am not impressed by the current implimentations. The sixaxis and Wii remote suck for the most part. It more often than not ends up hurting the games, not enhancing them.

  • Iramek

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 8:07 pm PT

    I sense another controller lawsuit if they push on w/ this. Sony really thinks thier being orginal? Just stick w/ the current and leave it be. It's not like many dev. teams have made real use of the Sixaxis as it is.

  • -ROFLZ-

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 6:42 pm PT

    well i own a wii myself, and theres a jolly good reason why i hardly play it and have so few games for it. the BORING titles available. motion control just MIGHT help sony out and help it sell as well as the wii, and because its sony they wont be afraid to use this new motion thingie in some mature games. thats the wii's problem for me, its a kiddy based console. i always liked the idea of being able to switch seamlessly from motion control to a joypad. maybe sony realised that to.

  • skunkpants

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 3:44 pm PT

    So let me get this straight... Sony has seen how the Wii works with it's motion controller and it wants to get in on that?

  • 6952khan

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 3:14 pm PT

    i wonder how many ppl who knocked the wii for even having motion sensing are going yippee now that sony is making a motion controller?

  • Androvinus

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 3:10 pm PT

    it looks good but i dont want to do that in gaming . thats the reason why i dont play the wii

  • trw534

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 3:00 pm PT

    looks cool

  • levitius

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    this looks overly complicated. im thinking this is gonna be a flop. eveyone knows that ps3 and xbox are for proper games whereas the wii is for silly gimiky motion sensing things. btw not disrespecting the wii cos i have one but they are not for serious gaming sessions.

  • MC_Raptor

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 11:59 am PT

    cool invention, nice topic, yawns at comments, can gamespot make a fanboy section? oh wait i think there is one in the forums, so can people go there please. so boring....

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 10:59 am PT

    yes i know im dreaming

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 10:59 am PT

    How about they all just make 1 console

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