Sony patent reveals EyePad game controller

An intriguing patent filed by Sony last year appears to indicate the Japanese company is planning a gaming tablet that could double as a console controller

A patent filed last year by Sony appears to show a tablet-like gaming device with physical controls that could be both a rival to the iPad or - more likely - a new type of controller for the imminent PlayStation 4.

Filed last year, the patent is for a device called the EyePad that will feature a Wii U-like central touchscreen as well as motion sensors to track movement the same way as PlayStation Move.

According to the patent, which was flagged up by game blog Gamechup, the EyePad will also feature stereoscopic cameras at opposing ends of the tablet to let you interact with the 3D space above the screen. This could be used for AR games - something Sony has already experimented with using the camera on the PS Vita.

The patent goes into more detail about how the EyePad could interact with Sony's EyePet game that used the PlayStationEye camera on the PlayStation 3 to create a 3D virtual pet:

"For example, the EyePad may be used as a grooming table for an EyePet; in the EyePet games, video captured by the EyeToy video camera is displayed on a television in conjunction with a virtual pet character; movements of the user and the use of AR markers enables the user to interact with the pet."

"Hence for example, the user moves the EyePad downwards so that its absolute position in the captured EyeToy image is below a threshold level, prompting the EyePet to jump on to the EyePad, with the positioning of the EyePet being consistent with both the position and orientation of the EyePad. The user may then carry the EyePad and the superposed EyePet around their room, with the EyePet being scaled and rotated accordingly to
appear to remain sat upon the EyePad."

Whether or not Sony will carry this patent right through to development remains to be seen. Perhaps the company will wait to see how Nintendo's Wii U console sells before committing to development.

Either way, Sony has enough to be concerned about as it is - the company is scheduled to reveal the next-generation PlayStation 4 tomorrow.

Via: Gamechup