Gamespot has just picked up on a new wireless controller patent application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office by Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) in June, published online last week.
There’s a lot to absorb there, but here are some points of note:
(1) The new controller design uses a combination of image and audio data to calculate the user’s three-dimensional position in front of a display.
(2) Its design is highly customisable: the controller might be joined to another to create a "sword" or "wand", and its button plates can be rearranged or removed.
(3) The application refers frequently to the PlayStation 3 when detailing examples of the controller’s use, which suggests that the new design might be realised within that console’s lifetime.
Acquiring a patent does not, of course, guarantee that the relevant product will see daylight, but it’s good to see Sony continuing to experiment with the new interactive possibilities heralded by Nintendo’s Wii remote. Throw your two cents into the comments thread below.