Sony Patents Object-Based Motion Control System

Not to be outdone by Microsoft’s Project Natal, Sony has now patented a motion-control system that’ll let you scan and use household objects in place of an infrared-emitting wand.

Is it just me or does figure 3B look like it belongs in a No More Heroes game? Read on for more gloriously informative patent diagrams and to learn how the whole thing works.

According to the patent, scanning objects requires a three part process:
- First the object is held up to the camera (presumably the Playstation Eye).
- The system then scans the object while asking the player to rotate it.
- Once scanned the object can be configured to associate specific motions with in-game commands. For example, holding the object right-side up or upside-down can translate to activating or retracting a lightsaber beam.

A configured object could potentially be used just like a Wiimote, though without sensors or buttons it remains to be seen just how well a coffee mug will stack up against a proper controller.

The types of objects that can be scanned seems to be restricted only by the camera’s field of vision. According to the patent, “coffee mugs, drinking glasses, books, bottles,” will all work. Somehow the emphasis on swinging objects made of glass and ceramic seems unwise.

Some possible technical-problems aside, the potential for fun and creativity is definitely there. If nothing else, dueling a friend in-game while wielding a roll of toilet paper and a broom would produce hilarious results – and a whole lot more broken TVs.

source: Siliconera