Sony patent details the 'EyePad,' a tablet controller with stereoscopic cameras
- Posted February 14th, 2013 at 14:36 EDT by Kyle Prahl
- 11 Comments
Internet sleuths have unearthed a patent filed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in July 2012 for the "PlayStation EyePad," a tablet controller that can create virtual buttons via stereoscopic 3D.
The device is detailed in patent documentation available at freepatentsonline.com, which clearly shows an illustration of the tablet and outlines some of its features. The tablet's physical design is reminiscent of the Wii U Gamepad, but a few key differences are noted. The controller supposedly contains one or more motion sensors and two stereoscopic cameras that can generate a depth map for objects in view of the first camera. The patent goes on to describe applications for gaming; rather than interface with the touchscreen directly, users could use finger swipes, gestures, and the like to interact with games as the tablet cameras make inputs out of these movements.
The patent's extensive notes also detail how other input devices - PlayStation Vita, a light gun, a dance mat, etc. - could be used in conjunction with the EyePad. Strangely, much of the info on how the EyePad could theoretically function specifically references its compatibility with PlayStation 3. One example appears on page 5, where Sony states that the EyePad's spatial position and distance from the console could be determined by the EyeToy camera, which would register an illuminated region on the tablet (Strangely, EyeToy was the name given to the PlayStation 2's iteration of camera technology; the official name of the PS3's camera tech is "PlayStation Eye").
Additional features, such as the user's ability to upload an image of his or her face through the EyePad, are detailed throughout. Take a look at the patent, then drop a comment below with your thoughts on this intriguing device. Should Sony prep the EyePad for release as a PlayStation 4 accessory?
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Comments
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honomaru
- 2:43pm EST - February 14th, 2013
- 1
Couldn't careless about touchscreen crap to be honest. Not really sure i care for this move to have everything on touchscreen. I feel less attached to what im playing when i dont have a traditional controller in my hands. I may be able to get used to it but meh...if it aint broke don't fix.
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PS3-The Ultimate Machine
- 2:57pm EST - February 14th, 2013
- 2
Honestly gimme ps4, dualshock 4, and uncharted 4 and I'm good to go for about 4 months. :)
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KyleOnTheRun
- 3:13pm EST - February 14th, 2013
- 4
If Sony made do on Remote Play promises and made everything on PS4 streamable to Vita in the house or over the Internet, I would buy this tablet as an accessory if it could do the same. Just having the larger screen and better ergonomics would make all the difference for playing... idk, Elder Scrolls 6? in bed.
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darkprince650
- 7:01pm EST - February 14th, 2013
- 6
Sony can expect a lawsuit from Apple if they keep the name
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Gameoholic007 |
Demented007- 8:55pm EST - February 14th, 2013
- 7
lol! Doesn't surprise me. Every time Nin comes out with something, Sony trys to counter it with something similar. I knew it! I knew they had to be working on something like that. Sony did the same thing with the move. It was an exccessory controller, but similar to what Nin had with the Wii. Sony kills me sometimes with their lack of inovation ideas. We'll see where this one goes.
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Alpha2
- 3:10am EST - February 15th, 2013
- 8
It's just a random Sony patent. has nothing to do with Nintendo's thing. They patent ideas as they come up because they never know when they might need it and because people keep accusing them of stealing like the comment above. Now they do it at the drop of a hat so that they can potentially sue someone else down the line, do you know just how many dozens of patents they own on things they'll probably NEVER use for the PS3 or PS4?
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princevegeta1980
- 4:46am EST - February 15th, 2013
- 9
Yep, calling this eyepad is most deceivieng with i-pad, even if these are two different products.
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TheTenth666
- 9:47am EST - February 15th, 2013
- 10
"used in combination with the Vita" ??? so you'd need 2 hands to use this and 2 hands to use the PS Vita? human beings don't have 4 hands and 2 sets od eyes ...
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jamesobachand |
snake2112- 9:35am EST - February 17th, 2013
- 11
It would be cool if you could use it as a map for games as well. Instead of having to actually pause games like skyrim and boarderlands you could just look at the map on the tablet thing.
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