Patent says: PS3 just wants to see you laugh
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 15th 2009 at 4:01AM } 
We're not entirely sure the gaming applications of a system like this (and clearly, neither does Nintendo). We can hypothesize a few scenarios. Perhaps if a game detects boredom, it can increase the number of enemies on screen. If it detects anger, the difficulty can go down. And finally, if it detects sadness, it'll tell you to just please stop playing Lair.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Einhanderkiller @ Aug 15th 2009 4:07AM
Kick ass?
PN04 @ Aug 15th 2009 11:25AM
If anyone remembers the trailer for Eyedentify the game not only recognized your face but also when you laughed. This means the possibility of enhanced interaction with on screen characters.
Judd @ Aug 15th 2009 1:57PM
I wonder if there's already a patent for the machine used inside that TV in real life. It's like a manually operated anal stimulation machine. I get a feeling it would be really popular at steampunk conventions. I've been to one of those and those people are really twisted.
But the real question is, what did Sony actually intend for that to be? Surely, they didn't actually want the patent office to think that the guy was actually leaning into having a spinning wheel of things going up his butt?
Pat @ Aug 15th 2009 7:21PM
Yup- Eyedentify was all about emotion and voice recognition. That game hasn't been officially canceled and still shows in many release date lists as TBD, even though we haven't heard from it in years. My guess is that it may have taken another form with the upcoming motion controller coming up and that we may see some form of that game next year when the release of the controller comes about.
zadee @ Aug 16th 2009 2:53AM
FUCKING PS3 RULES!!!!
Feba @ Aug 16th 2009 1:44PM
Go look up Life Line. You can get the USB headset for PS2 for $10, and the game for $4.
You play the game primarily by telling the character what to do, verbally. Sort of like Hey You! Pikachu, only in Space. And with Aliens. And Guns. And the ability to say inappropriate things to your virtual partner.
Surprisingly emotive game, even if it would be otherwise considered subpar without it's 'gimmick'.
pibs @ Aug 15th 2009 4:18AM
That graphic on the Bravia proves we are getting close to the Kicked in the nuts channel like in the movie Idiocracy.
Touché Sony
B-real206 @ Aug 15th 2009 5:54AM
Thats exactly what I was thinking....... "Ow my balls".............."I like money"
Rob S. @ Aug 15th 2009 10:46AM
Actually, there is already a Japanese game show that does this.
Erik Stroud @ Aug 15th 2009 12:31PM
Idiocracy was awesome, so I am glad Sony is making the channels from it.
Ridgecity @ Aug 15th 2009 12:47PM
I believe it is a dildo machine. Why do you think the guy is laughing so hard? either than or he's high.
Buzzkiller @ Aug 15th 2009 8:44PM
"Go Away.....Batin'!!"
Spider-Prime @ Aug 15th 2009 4:18AM
Best. Patent. Picture. Ever.
Brendan H @ Aug 15th 2009 12:55PM
This would definitely recognize my laughter, as I always laugh while holding my belly and pointing while my mouth is agape.
Quiggy @ Aug 15th 2009 11:49PM
You've gotta love the numbered label connected to the balloon that says "Ha Ha Ha".
B3astofthe3ast @ Aug 15th 2009 4:19AM
Is it just me, or does the image on the TV seem....wrong.
dAnixx @ Aug 15th 2009 6:00AM
Program: crazy inventors
!!LAUGH DETECTED!!
THEY ARE SPYING ON US! O_O
Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Aug 17th 2009 12:11PM
The picture from the screen is actually from a real, completely different patent:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=XYYHAAAAEBAJ
"An amusement apparatus including a user-operated and controlled apparatus for self-infliction of repetitive blows to the user's buttocks by a plurality of elongated arms bearing flexible extensions that rotate under the user's control. The apparatus includes a platform foldable at a mid-section,...
Inventor: Joe W. Armstrong
Primary Examiner: Kim T. Nguyen"
The Dark Wayne @ Aug 15th 2009 4:20AM
Wow, if we make something similar to what's on that screen, we deserve to be cleansed by the machines
The Dark Wayne @ Aug 15th 2009 4:21AM
what's the description in the notes for 10? Stupid douchebag?
Iroquois @ Aug 15th 2009 4:39AM
I believe the note say something like "10. DUUUUHHHHHRRRRR"
CH3BURASHKA @ Aug 15th 2009 12:48PM
Please, no anal probing.
BigD145 @ Aug 15th 2009 2:39PM
Machines know how to laugh better than you do. They will show you the way.
Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Aug 17th 2009 12:14PM
Right above your comment I linked the patent to the device shown on the screen. So, get in line for some machine-cleansing?
Zexion_VI @ Aug 15th 2009 4:24AM
Ha ha ha? lol, I laugh at schematics. Like Nintendo's with weird looking child.
Stevetrop @ Aug 15th 2009 4:26AM
I take it the ps3 would now be able to go into some sort of self defense mode when it senses an on coming nerd-rage when some super difficult game kicks the players ass?
Lithgow @ Aug 15th 2009 4:27AM
PS3 + Sony Patent apparently = anal probing
lobotomies4free @ Aug 15th 2009 4:29AM
CONFIRMED! PS3 vitality sensor!
Spike @ Aug 15th 2009 4:31AM
who draws these patents, first with the balding child, now this
KinjiroSSD @ Aug 15th 2009 9:57AM
Someone trying to make the best of a shitty job
TomCo @ Aug 15th 2009 11:57AM
I think its a pretty cool job. When I was in school I decided I wanted to be either a draughtsman or a programmer. 6 years on I don't really regret choosing to be a programmer, it is a bit stressful at times though (Im looking at you cell processor).
ArchiGamer 2.0 [Planeteer I Power of Irony and Sex] @ Aug 15th 2009 4:53AM
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
blue ocarina @ Aug 15th 2009 4:56AM
Seems like it's almost inferring to some sort of application to detect emotions while you watch tv so it can report back if viewers like it/hated it/thought it was funny/puked/etc.
One would think that would be kind of sketchy.
Brendan H @ Aug 15th 2009 1:09PM
Exactly. The pic shows channel & program info. It's not a game he's watching, it's TV. This seems akin to focus groups who watch a show and have a dial to turn up when they like something and down when they don't.
Sony wants to turn you into a focus group. Confirmed.
KaBob799 @ Aug 15th 2009 6:29PM
Yeah, why would you want to let your PS3 record sound and video of you watching tv shows.
Uncontrol @ Aug 15th 2009 5:04AM
wasn't that device pictured on the screen in bruno
sc00by_y00 @ Aug 16th 2009 4:38AM
That was a "sexcercise" bike, I think the asian champagne bottle ass guy was getting shafted by that shit this shoves a foot up your ass while you stand..
Kogen @ Aug 15th 2009 5:05AM
Getting a PS3 for this.
Bowser Rogozhin: Death of a Ladies Man @ Aug 15th 2009 5:16AM
The same soulless gentleman draws all this patent pictures, I bet. He's even got the same receding hairline as that Nintendo man-baby.
Mewchu @ Aug 15th 2009 5:59AM
OH WOW, that one pic with the shoe machine is wrong on SO many levels... 0_o
Daffy Duck @ Aug 15th 2009 7:21AM
Which is why the guy is laughing at it.
ThatPCgameryouhate @ Aug 15th 2009 7:18AM
Sounds... incredibly stupid really.
Sadness- stop playing.
Excitement- keep playing
Anger- stop playing
Joy- keep playing
Interest- something along the lines of keep playing
Boredom- stop playing.
Good patent picture, but just a really stupid concept. That's a poor way of combating Natal Sony.
Daffy Duck @ Aug 15th 2009 7:30AM
No need to involve Natal.
No Kill Tayler @ Aug 15th 2009 7:47AM
I didn't know this was combating natal? That makes sense.
Mr Khan @ Aug 15th 2009 12:03PM
No. This is clearly an effort to pre-empt Nintendo's incredible inflatable Horsey simulator.
Pat @ Aug 15th 2009 7:37PM
Let's clarify something: Natal IS NOT MIlo. People seem to confuse the two. One is just the hardware and the other software. The latter is the one that "theoretically" recognizes human emotion (the hardware may detect motion and space but can't tell one thing from the next without a program). And for that matter I doubt Sony is doing this now to combat Milo as Eyedentify was shown all the way back in 2005. Since both only exist in tech demo forms then there is no point in giving MS credit for being the first to do it.
Besides, if you think this patent is stupid by definition you think that Natal being used for the same purpose with Milo is also stupid which I agree with.
ThatPCgameryouhate @ Aug 15th 2009 8:32PM
No, you completely misread my comment. I never said it compared to Natal, I said it was their response- their retaliation.
I said I didn't agree with the patent, therefore insulting it. Reading emotion is completely useless, and Sony is trying to use it to make their games better? What? They want to use it so they can change the difficulty of the game? Instead of going through the unnecessary work of adding a mic to their fucking machine, they could just as easily make it a mandatory option- really. fucking. stupid.
And really, wtf is the thing going to do if your sad? Show you funny pictures?
Sony misunderstands everything. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Xanto @ Aug 15th 2009 7:20AM
Oh man what a great way to start the day. So hilarious
Jordan @ Aug 15th 2009 7:29AM
How about something like a rating system? Users were smiling, laughing, etc. this much for this much of the game? and then compile it into averages and post it. would be interesting imo. Would need to make it optional and anonymous or it would just be a pin in the ass though.
Ethan @ Aug 15th 2009 8:00AM
I'd play the game in the pic.