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Sony files patent for universal game controller

Posted Feb 21, 2010 at 3:10PM EST by Karl B.

Listed in: Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 Tags: patent, Sony

We've heard of universal remotes that can control a variety of household devices. Sony's heard of them too, of course, but what they've recently patented is something that does the same thing for consoles. In short, a universal controller.

The patent describes it as a controller able to "emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as…the PlayStation, a controller made by Nintendo, Xbox game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32 controllers, Atari Jaguar controllers, Gravis Gamepad controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics [sic] controllers."

patent-universal-controller

To achieve that, Sony's concept involves a touch-screen LCD where the various gamepads' controller layouts would be displayed. Only one configuration can be active at a time, but up to three can be stored in the controller. Other possible features are rumble functionality and speakers.

The filing reads further: "It may now be appreciated that among other advantages, the controller provides for backward compatibility so that it may be programmed to emulate the key layout of an older controller that may no longer be available."

Via [GameSpot]

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They could make each button with physical mini OLED screen button just like in (Optimus Maximus keyboard)

This way it would give:
+ the tactile advantage over a plane touch screen.
+ the display on each button can be configured also.

- but it wont be much universal as buttons location will be fixed.

Anyway, Personally I think this patent is merely for a touch phone application and it could be for Sony-Ericsson.

# RE: Sony files patent for universal game controller — Guest 2010-02-21 17:45

how would it inter face with old consoles?

# RE: RE: Sony files patent for universal game controller — pspg2000 2010-02-21 18:40

Old consoles need wireless connector on it, or just wired controllers.

NES for example, is wired controllers.

# hmm — key25 2010-02-21 17:52

no more adjusting for other consoles controllers

# um... — rollypoly 2010-02-21 18:55

"i don't think it means what you think it means..."

this is not a patent for a universal controller. can you imagine how many adapters you would need for this thing to work with all those systems?

the patent is for emulating the functionality of old controllers. i imagine this is to make PSN/Emulated(PC) games feel more retro by allowing you to play with a controller that looks and functions like the one it was made to be played on.

-2 # RE: um... — Guest 2010-02-21 19:37

if its emulated on pc then might as well map it to an xbox controller

# RE: um... — Guest 2010-02-24 14:53

Perhaps this is for a classic controller like device for ps3. Maybe they will be starting a virtual console of their own. Especially given the dreamcast rumors.

# seems kinda silly — Guest 2010-02-21 19:28

I mean look at how similar all the major console's controllers are anyway. The only difference between the xbox and the playsation controllers are the swapping of the analog and d pad positions. A snes controller is already contained in a PS3 controller, and a gamecube controller really is close enough. Even an N64 controller can be mapped to a dualshock and it would be fine.

# RE: Sony files patent for universal game controller — pspg2000 2010-02-21 20:28

Nintendo had Power Glove which you'd insert a code and the game would work, using the glove.

"Only one configuration can be active at a time"

I'm happy with the controllers I got. :)

# looking nice — davidg 2010-02-21 20:58

Pretty cool for emulators! The only down-side, you can only have 3 saved on the controller? This looks pretty restricting to me for emulators.

+1 # RE: Sony files patent for universal game controller — Guest 2010-02-21 23:49

I like my buttons instead

+1 # Utter Fail Incoming. — Guest 2010-02-22 08:58

Have any of you tried playing ANYTHING on the iPhone using LCD controls? Yeah, this sounds like trouble.

# RE: Utter Fail Incoming. — pspg2000 2010-02-22 10:09

Yeah I did, not my style.

# RE: Sony files patent for universal game controller — TheReaper 2010-02-22 11:41

i want to know how exactly this contraption will look...

# look at the drawings.. — gammy69er 2010-02-23 07:09

they are just getting this in before M$ (or anyone else) does - Only really any good for emulation - if sony get's the patent in, noone else can concept/make it.

# What's in a name.. — HenshinMijin 2010-02-25 10:40

It's funny how the diagram says Playstation, Nintendo, XBOX.Following that naming convention, shouldn't it be "Playstation, Gamecube, XBOX?" or "SONY, Nintendo, Microsoft?" lol

~fsKD™

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