Sony patents new gaming interface

Japanese Web site Tech-On! is reporting on a new Sony Computer Entertainment patent for a potentially Wii-like motion-sensing interface.

The patented process would allow a game system to view a rodlike controller on a two-dimensional camera image and map its position in 3D space. The title of the patent specifically notes that the process is intended to let users control the action in a game. Technologies like this have been devised before, but they've required multiple cameras to work. In March GameSpot reported on a Microsoft patent that required two cameras.

The Tech-On! report indicates that the patent leverages the PlayStation 3's Cell processor, which it says is "optimized for image recognition."