Sony patents more motion tech, uses everyday objects
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Jul 3rd 2009 at 5:30PM } 
That's right, friends -- in the future, we could be using our real-life keys to open doors, our swords to slice up fools, and our guns (not outside of the US) to shoot up the screen "accidentally." The patent shows off a PlayStation Eye-based system that can recognize 3D objects and use them in-game based on various actions taken by the player -- something Microsoft claims it's Natal is also capable of doing. Various household items will be affected in different ways, the example given being a U-shaped object that, when turned upwards, becomes a sword, versus a U-shaped block when facing downwards (think Halo's Covenant Energy Sword). Apparently the system is able to scan a whole mess of objects and store them in a databank for future use. Like so much future tech we've seen recently, we're taking this one with a full truckload of salt until we get some face time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:35PM
LIGHTSABER!
Lunastra78 (PSN: lunastra78) @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:48PM
PORN!
Ashitaka @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:48PM
Exactly. Nobody would ever "think Halo's Covenant Energy Sword".
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:05PM
Wrong console...
Plus, I THINK lightsabers came first...
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:07PM
BTW, I'm talking about pics 302a and 302b. If those aren't lightsabers I'm a jedi hobo using Force Pee to pass a kidney stone.
B3MIKE @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:55PM
Lame
Maverick Saturn @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:12PM
Lapdancing?
Tiptup300 @ Jul 4th 2009 1:27AM
dear game companies, i jsut got home from work and i'm crazy exhausted. I would play a video game, but i'm too lazy to walk ALL THE over there to grab a controller. As yahtzee said, people play games to unwind.
Havok @ Jul 4th 2009 2:53AM
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:07PM
BTW, I'm talking about pics 302a and 302b. If those aren't lightsabers I'm a jedi hobo using Force Pee to pass a kidney stone.
You talking about the Schwartz?
Danny @ Jul 4th 2009 8:33AM
@Lunastra78 I'm not sure it would recognise your err. . . as a household object.
gamedude420 @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:36PM
isnt this kinda late sony????? MS showed the project natal video where you could scan any object and use it in game
SnoCone @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:40PM
Except with Sony, you don't have to scan shit (sorry MS - if true - Natal is DOA).. you can use whatever object is in your hands..
wolverine @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:40PM
so y is it late just cause MS showed one. the sony thingy will be out in stores long before natal.
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:42PM
"SCAN" objects, LOL!
I love this. Look, everyone! My Eye Toy can SCAN objects in, too!
Oh, wait. It's taking a picture?... No, it's doing the SCAN thing I saw in the NATAL Vid, I swear!
:p
Ashitaka @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:51PM
You really are a delusional fanboy to believe in that video MS showed. Particularly that 'scan' part - you could see it was all smoke and mirrors.
Henry E. @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:43PM
This technology/tech demo was demonstrated back in 2001 on the PS2 Eye Toy. If anything Sony is late on is patenting this idea/technology earlier.
unboring @ Jul 6th 2009 8:34PM
first off, the video you saw from microsoft was completely contrived, it was all concepts and no proof of concept. Secondly the playstation eye has been "scanning" objects since the ps2, basically "taking a picture" and thirdly, this patent isnt describing the same "scanning" action shown in the natal E3 video, this is more advanced, it is showing 3d tracking of 3d household objects.
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Jeremy @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:40PM
Anyone else feel like just using a normal controller instead of all this gimmicky crap?
ChuckBartowski @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:45PM
You sir, are a genius.
Peace Fog @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:47PM
I don't have much room between my couch and TV so it would be hard to use any of the gimmicky crap, I'd much rather just play my games with my controller.
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:47PM
No way! Can't wait to play Halo Reach: Fitness Fight!
MaliceMajorE15 @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:49PM
i think that they could are spending more money and time on motion controllers and stuff. the very least they could do is give us keyboard and mouse support on some titles
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:51PM
Yeah what a ridiculous idea, to use a regular controller instead of focusing on all this motion garbage. Call me when we get to the point in the future where I can play all my normal games with full motion controls, and it doesn't suck.
MaliceMajorE15 @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:52PM
sorry bout that comment not making sense im actually drunk
Henry E. @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:42PM
I don't mind if it's done right. It's not like I'm out of shape to play these games that requires OMG moving.
Controllers aren't going anywhere, and Sony has a lot of plans with the wand and controller which if done right can only benefit gamers.
Maverick Saturn @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:09PM
Can it scan a controller?
Maverick Saturn @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:10PM
Oh, and what happens if my 5 year old sister walks in front of the cam, will she too be thrown into warfare and get shot at? I don't think I could handle her getting virtually shot.
AsherR @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:47PM
Oh dear...
JayVe @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:18PM
Agreed. Looks like Sony saw how much other companies are making selling controller accessories, they decided they wanted in on the action too.
Hyams @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:54PM
When all the next gen consoles turn out to have motion controls in lieu of controllers, I'm becoming a PC gamer.
Wiizer (Michael Pachter MUST DIE.. Professionally) @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:57PM
Hyams,
We can always go back to playing "Twing Twang"! :D
Unplugged @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:58PM
or you could just become a PC gamer now!
or a portable gamer like me! What are the odds that someones gonna make a PSP use motion controls?
Mr Khan @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:27PM
There goes another one
Pharoah4187 @ Jul 7th 2009 7:59AM
A little late to the party, but not even portable gaming is safe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNu4CluFOcw
Although it DOES look kind of neat...
skyzbig @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:58PM
I've gotta say, I've been detecting some Sony hate from Joystiq lately...
MaliceMajorE15 @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:03PM
it comes and goes really. its more depedant on what moves sony makes cos im not guna lie im a sony fanboy but sometimes they do some stupid shit
jarhead906 @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:08PM
@ Malice
Which means that your rank has gone up to being a Sony fan and not a fanboy.
unboring @ Jul 6th 2009 8:36PM
first off, the video you saw from microsoft was completely contrived, it was all concepts and no proof of concept. Secondly the playstation eye has been "scanning" objects since the ps2, basically "taking a picture" and thirdly, this patent isnt describing the same "scanning" action shown in the natal E3 video, this is more advanced, it is showing 3d tracking of 3d household objects.
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Mike @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:59PM
See, I really like the Wii Remote. You could stand in front of the TV, or you can sit on your couch and laze (in fact, the Remote+Nunchuk combination allows one to hold an even lazier pose). I don't like where Natal and PS Eyemotoy is going. Namely because they require, not merely allow, such active motion.
Pat @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:47PM
We'll have to wait and see how Natal works when and if it comes out. Remember that the Tetris-like demo required a lot of body motion (let's leave the concept video and menu navigation out since they don't apply).
The Sony one requires the PSEye so we know exactly how that will work. Based on past games I'd say a lot of body motion. However that's the beauty of it- Sony's is an alternative controller aimed to be an option and not the default controller, so you won't be required to get it. If you like moving your body to play you can choose to get it. On the other hand, based on the tech demo, games could implement it in more subtle ways. The FPS and RTS demos clearly show that you could play from a sitting position if you want, specially if the device is used just as a pointer.
I am looking forward to Sony's controller. I just hope we see some good variety of games coming out for it. I hope developers adapting the technology follow the example of Harmonix's Antigrav and try different genres as opposed to sticking to (mostly) party games. Since it wasn't officially canned maybe Eyedentify will finally see the light of day which now that I think about it was the same concept as Milo but 4 years earlier and with two characters instead of one.
Pat @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:53PM
Yup- I failed to make the connection right away that Sony had shown Milo 4 years earlier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkFL7livcA
There was no official word on the game getting canned and release listings keep pushing it back. Maybe the new controller and use of the PSEye has kept this game floating around? Time will tell...
GordoJones @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:00PM
Can we 'scan' in a Wii remote so it will be just like playing a crappy Wii game waving your arms around in the air?
/begin downvote
Mr Khan @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:28PM
please. You combined blind Wii *and* blind Sony hate. You're going to be upvoted right quick.
oOWallaceOo @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:08PM
What if I need to use an item that I don't own in real-life, like a gun ?
Shiaoran @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:11PM
http://www.bongo-papercraft.net/2008/09/samaritan-gun.html
:D
jarhead906 @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:10PM
Earlier at N4G, people were speculating about this patent's ability to hinder Microsoft's 'Project Natal' tech.
Does anyone actually 'know' if this patent has any affect on MS's business strategy?
Hxczuner (PSN i.d) @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:19PM
If that happens i will laugh SO hard...
But, even if no legal issue is present atm (or at all) there's going to be discrepencies; sony's good for that. Rumble, analog, etc..
Viking @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:15PM
How many horrible ways can this be abused by ... nudists?
Or even better, this technology being used in LBP! Cocks and dildos everywhere!
But though they may be onto something. Rather this than having to pay 80$ per controller just to swing a bat in the inevitable Wii Sports clone.
"Oh, forgot my controller at home!"
"Don't worry, I have a random object right here! Would you prefer a Coke bottle, or this bat?"
j.howlett @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:25PM
you can already take pictures for LBP, i've seen some out there stuff
shadowbender @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:25PM
Whatever happened to the good-old days where my friend and I could stay up all night, relaxing, having a good time, playin' a great game, without having to worry about waving my arms about in the air and waking up my family because I accidently threw my arm into my arm into a window? Don't get me wrong, I love motion controlls, but this is getting a little over-the-top.