February 21st, 2012
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A new patent filed by PlayStation Eye creator Dr Richard Marks suggests Sony is looking into Kinect like technology.
The patent was filed on 26th October 2011, and published on 16th February 2012. The patent states the words: “depth sensing device” and “a three-dimensional camera” that uses “controlled infrared lighting” to scan an area.
The patent reads: “With the increased processing capabilities of today’s computer technology, new creative methods for interacting with computer systems have become available,”
“There is a need for enhanced systems and methods that allow interaction in a three-dimensional environment. The methods should allow user interaction without requiring additional equipment, such as arm coverings or gloves. In addition, the method should not require overly burdensome processing ability and should have the ability to function in real-time, thus providing the user with a natural computer interaction experience.”
As Eurogamer reports, The patent doesn’t specifically describe a device, more what such a device could achieve. Beyond the title there is only one reference to gaming and one reference to PlayStation.
Gaming:
- “Embodiments of the present invention provide real-time interactive gaming experiences for users. For example, users can interact with various computer-generated objects in real-time. Furthermore, video scenes can be altered in real-time to enhance the user’s game experience. For example, computer generated costumes can be inserted over the user’s clothing, and computer generated light sources can be utilised to project virtual shadows within a video scene. Hence, using the embodiments of the present invention and a depth camera, user’s can experience an interactive game environment within their own living room. “
PlayStation:
- “The processing system 174 can be implemented by an entertainment system, such as a Sony.RTM. Playstation.TM. II or Sony.RTM. Playstation.TM. I type of processing and computer entertainment system. It should be noted, however, that processing system 174 can be implemented in other types of computer systems, such as personal computers, workstations, laptop computers, wireless computing devices, or any other type of computing device that is capable of receiving and processing graphical image data.”
The timing of the patent, October 2011, suggests Sony developed this idea after Kinect launched, in November 2010. It will be interesting to see what Sony uses this tech for. Of course, some are speculating the tech won’t be used until, or, will be a main feature of the PS4 when it is finally announced. We’ll just have to wait and see, but an interesting story none the less. Give us your thoughts below.
Source: PlayStation LifeStyle, Eurogamer, US Patent & Trademark Office
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ROFL.
Well who didn’t see this one coming? ROFL
Sony’s already copied so many things from everyone else ROFL.
They copied PSN from Xbox live, they copied trophies from xbox live achievements, the copied the wiimote, and now they’re copying Kinect. Why don’t you do something different Sony…ya know…like have an original idea??? LMFAO.
Well the say that imitation is the biggest form of flattery. Nintendo and Microsoft must really feel flattered about right now. LOL
“Xbox 360 is the BEST console EVER made.” –John Carmack
COOL STORY BRO.
Hey Buying, did you know that the entire Xbox brand was a copy of the Sega Dreamcast, XBL stems from old SegaNet servers, and that Kinect is nothing more than a glorified version of the PS2′s Eye Toy? I know you probably weren’t even born yet when most of these things were made, but there’s a little history lesson for you.
Oh, and what about the fact that Microsoft just patented a tablet like controller for their next gen console. Can’t help but notice you have nothing to say about that.
Oh well, regardless of whether or not this is Sony, the idea is still stupid, but at least it’ll still be more efficient than Kinect, and unlike M$, Sony won’t force this down gamer’s throats.
but Windows CE was used to build the OS for the Dreamcast (DX was even used for some games!) and MS partnered with Sega to co-create their network infrastructure. That’s how they got the idea or basis for the Xbox.
Also the eyetoy was and is a webcam but the software used in conjunction for it was impressive at the time so that’s why they green-lighted it.
Companies patent shit all the time so this is of no surprise.
I’M BUYING THIS DAY ONE! EVEN IF IT COSTS $300!
Hi BUYING you d**khead ever heard of eyetoy, who says Sony can’t reboot that part of playstation do not say they are coping kinect, kinect is not a copy of eyetoy it was inspired from it. Infact nothing is a copy every thing is inspired not copyed so piss of and leave
do u even know what sony has invented !!!!it has invented more technology than MS or Nintendo. sony was the one which invented compact disc – dvd. every body in this world is using dvd even ur MS. so dont wine like child that sony is copying !!! the truth is every companies copy’s each other that how any business work. infact MS have entirely copyied most of apples ideas, do u even know that and there are thousands of article about it. but i should agree one thing that Nintendo equally one of the greatest video game inventing company.
I don’t even know why your still here? Don’t you have a liv- oh wait, you too busy being dumb.
And Sony, please don’t, just don’t!
All of this motion and camera tech is interesting, but personally I couldn’t care less from a gaming point of view.
Give me a good ol’ fashioned gaming pad or mouse and keyboard any day!
Although it will be interesting to see how they can improve this technology …
Goddamnit Sony…
/Facepalm..
Sony, please just cancel this idea and work further on your next console..
Sony….please. Leave the kiddy gaming to MS and kinect.
Lol thing is, this article is posted Sony patent kinect type camera. Now they said kinect type camera to give you the idea of what type of technology they are referring to. Don’t mean they are copying kinect. Lets face the facts here.
First off kinect very similar to PS eyetoy just abit more advanced.
Next, the tech behind kinect isn’t even developed by Microsoft, it was purchased. The tech behind kinect was first offered to apple bit apple wouldn’t pay the asking price. So then it was offered to Microsoft after which then Microsoft further developed into kinect.
PS move was in prototype stages in 2001 whilst the wii was an idea stages. You can Google this or look on YouTube.PS eyetoy, PS move was developed by Dr Richard marks the very person who is said to also be developing this camera.
So the FACTS are that Dr Richard marks is the person which created the most advanced motion controller that works better then wii and kinect. So with this man pushing this, ps3 or ps4 owners least know its going to work as described …unlike kinect lol. Oh and the difference between kinect and move and this new 3d camera? Its patent and developed by Sony unlike kinect.
Lol at Buying. Having a network with a console is technology. NOBODY OWNS IT.. Also, Achievements came from STEAM first. so basically xbox copied that. also, The move started design in 2002. BEFORE THE WII.
How about xbox copying the ps2s Singstar with this “lips” bullcrap?
Can Microsoft not have an original idea?
MSN Messenger – Stolen from ICQ
Xbox – Stolen from Nintendo, Sega and Sony
Windows – interface stolen from? Apple
Bing – Stolen from Google
Microsoft Smart Phone – Stolen from guess who.
Xbox slim – stolen from ps1 slim, ps2 slim and ps3 slim.
You forgot MS-DOS. Copied from CP/M. A beautiful text only interface while all other computer systems, like the MacIntosh, Amiga, Atari 2600 were coming out with the delicious GUIs based on windows, scrollbars, droppable menus…
If it wasn’t for IBM screwing up the PCs outsourcing their OS there wouldn’t be the Evil of the computer industry. Microsoft indeed. Because of that IBM even lost 1/3 of its market share at the time.
Achievements came from STEAM first. so basically xbox copied that.
(You do know other games had it and that they came out with achievements bout same time ?)
also, The move started design in 2002. BEFORE THE WII.
(if move took that long, dont ya think that wii + its controllers started before that or atleast protype before that )
How about xbox copying the ps2s Singstar with this “lips” bullcrap?
(Who the hell cares about singstars or lips, shouldnt even be in this comment)
Can Microsoft not have an original idea?
(Can sony lulz?, ms actually does have many “original” ideas
)
MSN Messenger – Stolen from ICQ
(Wth are you talking about lol, if you were in the era of icq you should know that this isnt true..)
Xbox – Stolen from Nintendo, Sega and Sony
(Just like sony steals from nintendo and ms?)
Windows – interface stolen from? Apple
(lulz really)
Bing – Stolen from Google
(So yahoo etc etc also stole from google, because thats the one all uses amirite? facepalm)
Microsoft Smart Phone – Stolen from guess who.
(You do realise that ms always had a finger in, when it comes to phones right ?)
Xbox slim – stolen from ps1 slim, ps2 slim and ps3 slim.
Anyway gotta love this cow logic these days, like sony is the inventor of everything, but why didnt they release anything of it then, i can patent alot things too.. many of claims is just naive seriously – ps3 took almost everything from all and made their own version of it same goes for ms..
Just because something is similar, doesnt mean they “steal” it, if it wasnt for that there would be no competition on that front .. so talking out of your a** doesnt makes you cool dude at all.
I can imagine when they officially announce it they will use the words innovative and original, sigh, the kinect to me was a big failure, and will still be one until they manage to implement hardcore games into it, and ones where you don’t have to stand to play. Either way, im interested to see how this compares to kinect.
Yeah Kinect is such a big failure EXCEPT – Kinect is Confirmed As Fastest Selling Consumer Electronics Device – Guinness World Records 2011.
Such a big failure…sigh..
Wow, congratulations, you fail at reading, “the kinect TO ME was a big failure”, just voicing MY opinion on the actual product, not how much money Microsoft is making off it. Don’t get me wrong though, I can never argue about the fact that it’s selling well, just I am 21 years old, and yes, I do own a kinect, but playing Disney adventures and dancing games isn’t really what I’m looking for in a game, although i am looking forward to seeing how the new ghost recon handles it, I’m only interested in the gun creation though, the shooting mechanics look terrible.
Sony dipped their toe into the realm of casual gaming with the “move.” their heart wasnt really in it though. thankfully, I might add. They didnt cast aside their hardcore fan-base like microsoft has.
with this camera technology, I doubt it will have the same “retarding effect” that the kinect has had on the 360 library. But its still ****ing pointless. I own a move, and its not bad. it works well with shooters (FPS, TPS, and rail). the kinect tech, however, does not work with a single hardcore genre. the only thing it can do is rail shooters, and it does them poorly. This camera technology is a joke. it has nothing to offer us as gamers. gaming without a controller or keyboard is just absurd and clearly is an idea cooked up by people who have little knowledge or love for gaming as an art form.
i cant blame sony for doing this though. they tried to appeal to hardcore gamers and give us a plethora of exclusives, but apparently the thing that will make the most money is casual, motion control garbage. gaming is in a sad state. and you can thank microsoft for that.
Why do you blame MS; they are not forcing people to buy their product. Blame the consumers. The “hardcore gamers” obviously do not have a loud enough voice to change how the companies decide to market their products. We will buy the games we want regardless of what other nonsense they put on the shelf. Yes it may not be for you or I , but my niece loves the kinect and I like video talking with her. Games are to have fun, and if other non “hardcore gamers” are interested in obscure gaming devices more power to them. I disagree with gaming being in a sad state; more different and unique ideas are being invented with today’s technology. Variety is the spice of life.
” Why do you blame MS; they are not forcing people to buy their product.” Em go check out xbl random banning from xbl on uk TV program WATCHDOG. Their you see and witness Microsoft are in fact trying to force existing users to buy another xbox360.
Microsoft admitted to wrongly banning people but only admitted it because watchdog got involved. So Microsoft were banning many users, millions in fact, but guess how you get unbanned?? You had to buy another xbox360. So if that’s not trying to force people in buying their product then I don’t know what is.
MS not FORCING people buying its products?! What about Windows? For how many years, and still now, one can’t buy a PC clone w/o having Windows pre-installed?
Banning someone from xbl is not forcing them to buy another xbox. I love games, probably too much but if I was unfairly banned form xbl or psn I would not purchase another product from that company. Regardless of issues you make a choice to spend your money. MS does not come to your house, rob you and leave an xbox; that is forcing you to buy.
@ Michaelasso
I am sure you are more cpu savvy to know you can buy a cpu without windows; yes they are installed on almost every computer, but there are alternatives. If I buy a new car is Michelin forcing me to buy their tires since the manufacturer has a deal with that company?
I thought that Move was better than Kinect…guess not! Little late to the party aren’t we, Sony?
soooo how long are these articles going to have extremely retarded titles? “kinect-like camera”, “kinect-like PS Eye” (how very redundant and ignorant), etc.
Microsoft was pretty much forcing you to buy their kinect.. it was only since the last few months where you can actually buy an xbox360 WITHOUT the kinect. ever since kinect launched, you could NOT buy an xbox360 without it coming with kinect. no wonder it was the fastest selling, you couldnt avoid it! my friends bought nwe xboxs and they didnt even want kinect. they just sold it as soon as opened the box.
also notice the mass advertising ms uses to sell kinect. Justin beiber, hulk hogan, and even on music videos.
Wtf are you talking about – talking out the ass again i see ?
i could actually always play my games without kinect and the obviously not kinect-only games ? and whats the problem with buying an xbox with kinect in the same package, also you could be xbox’s without kinect so dunno what your are talking about other than out of propotion- but hey dude thats how to do advertising thats the whole point of it is to make cash.. you sound mad, umad ?
I think many people didn’t notice the infra-red scanning in this new patent… This is going to be a similar technology to the one is in use to capture the movements to be reproduced in the CGI…
Nothing wrong with Sony doing this as to stay in business you need to attract the casual’s too. Also Kinect for all it’s flaws is a good idea. Over time the tech will get much better and that’s when all gamers casual and hardcore alike will probably get to like it.