Summary
- Sony is developing software to adjust controller input based on gyroscopic orientation.
- The patent showcases Sony's commitment to improving gaming hardware accessibility.
- The software allows players to customize control schemes for different gaming positions.
A recent patent publication has revealed an in-development software at Sony that would utilize the gyroscopic orientation system in video game controllers to allow players to change the control scheme based on the position they are playing in. This latest patent joins a number of recent research and developments by Sony that have focused on improving the accessibility and customization features of PlayStation gaming hardware.
One of the biggest names in technology and video games, Sony has revolutionized video game hardware and software over the years, with major advancements aimed at improving the player experience. In addition to previous Sony gaming controller patents, this newest publication has once again revealed the Japanese conglomerate's focus on innovating its existing hardware with software modifications.
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According to a patent filed in August 2024 and published on February 27, Sony is working on an improved gyroscope software that would allow players to reconfigure their controller's input scheme based on the gyroscopic positioning of the controller's orientation. Existing PlayStation DualSense gaming controllers already have a gyroscope sensor within them, and this software would allow the gyroscope to read the orientation of the controller and make adjustments for new inputs. For example, a person lying on their back may be holding the controller against their chest, or "upside down" compared to someone holding the controller parallel to the ground. The person lying down may wish to change the control scheme to make input movements more accommodating for their body position. With this improved gyroscope software, players would be able to change their baseline controller orientation, granting more freedom for comfortable gaming in different positions.
Sony Gyroscope-Oriented Control Scheme Patent Details
As detailed in the Sony gyroscope-oriented control scheme patent, players would be able to change their controller inputs to best suit the position they are gaming in. An example in the patent explains how a player lying on their back may wish to move a joystick towards the gaming screen in order to move an in-game character forward. If lying on their back, moving the joystick towards the screen may actually require pushing the joystick "down" from a standard orientation. With this improved software, the player would be able to change their gyroscope orientation to register the upside-down controller as standard position, thus allowing them to move the joystick towards the screen and still move the in-game character forward rather than backwards. This would also be useful in altering control schemes that require the entire controller to be moved in a certain way, improving accessibility in gaming controllers.
Companies like Sony file video game technology patents all the time, with many never making their way to consumers, so there is currently no guarantee that this gyroscope-oriented control scheme software will ever be fully developed. The patent does give audiences an insight into continued efforts by Sony to work on improved accessibility for gaming fans, and interested players may want to stay tuned for any updates on this gyroscope software and other exciting developments in the video game industry.
- Date Founded
- May 7, 1946
- Headquarters
- Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
- Subsidiaries
- Sony Pictures, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Imagesoft, Sony Online Entertainment
- Consoles
- PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PSP
- Known For
- PlayStation