Patent shows controls that can be removed or enlarged per game
Sony Interactive Entertainment has been granted a US patent for a game controller concept built around a large touchscreen input surface. Video Games Chronicle spotted the filing and published images from the patent documentation.
The drawings show a controller where most of the top face is a touchscreen, instead of fixed buttons. On-screen controls can be placed where a user wants, including moving the D-pad, analog stick zones, and action buttons. The concept also allows resizing controls, or removing unused inputs for a given game.
Source: Google Patents
The patent describes the goal as comfort and accessibility, with layouts that fit different hand sizes. A user could invert the layout and put a D-pad on the right side. A simple game could use fewer inputs, with larger on-screen buttons to reduce mis-presses.
The filing describes an input surface that can interpret gestures such as touch, tap, swipe, press, pinch, and joystick-style movement. The system can use optical sensors under the surface, and can also detect “pretouch” (a finger approaching the surface) to help interpret intent. The patent also describes showing reference points with lighting so a user can see where active controls are placed.
Source: Google Patents
Keep in mind, a patent grant does not confirm a shipping product, and many concepts never leave documentation. I doubt Sony would go this far to replace physical buttons right away, rather offer a new method for some players who are used to on-screen controls. I’m defintely not one of them.
Source: Google Patents , Video Game Chronicles
