Sony EyePad Patent Filed

Sony EyePad Patent FiledLove ‘em or hate ‘em, patents have proved to be a powerful bargaining chip among companies in recent times, and the more patents a company owns, the better. Sony was seen to have filed for a patent recently for what they described as an “Input device, system and method,” which is otherwise known as the “EyePad”. Yes sir, what sounds pretty ordinary in its description actually has far more than meets the eye, where the flat device that resembles a tablet is said to come with six-axis motion sensors, joystick controls, and illuminated edges which “provide a similar functionality to that of the illuminated ball of the Playstation Move.”

Hmmm, deciphering that would mean it ought to function as a physical surface with touch sensor capability in addition to featuring a motion tracking device to work alongside the EyeToy. Not only that, the patent application also comes with its fair share of references to a pair of stereoscopic cameras “of a type typically found in mobile phones and other compact devices”, where these are located at each end of the touch surface so that one can use the EyePad to create “depth maps”. Will this arrive as a peripheral for the PS3, or perhaps the much anticipated PS4? Time will tell.

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Sony patent application reveals multi-sensor control surface called EyePad, of all things

Sony patent app shows an imaginative multisensor control surface, less imaginative 'EyePad' name

Patents, we love ’em. When else do we get to peek directly into the idea-pantry of big companies like Sony. On the shelf today is this application for an “Input device, system and method,” which as mundane as that sounds, actually appears quite the contrary. The flat, tablet-like illustration is described as having six-axis motion sensors, joystick controls, and illuminated edges that “provide a similar functionality to that of the illuminated ball of the Playstation move.” So, this would work not only as a physical surface (it has touch sensors too), but also as a motion tracking device in conjunction with the EyeToy. That’s not all, though, as there are plenty of references to a pair of stereoscopic cameras “of a type typically found in mobile phones and other compact devices” at each end of the touch surface — allowing it to create depth maps. The result described in the application is an area above the “EyePad” where objects can be recognized, and perhaps incorporated into a game. We’re not making that leap, either, as it’s Sony itself which refers to existing controllers of “systems or entertainment devices such as the PlayStation 3.” Of course it would be a leap to connect it to, say, a forthcoming announcement. While this all sounds really exciting, we can’t help feeling like we’ve heard that product name somewhere before..?

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Via: SlashGear

Source: EPO