/images/social_rss_dark.png "Subscribe to the site")
/images/social_twitter_dark.png "Follow us on Twitter")
/images/social_facebook_dark.png "Friend us on FaceBook")
Microsoft Patents “Pressure Sensitive” Controller Technology
Microsoft is aiming to get into the “hand pressure profiling” business, in that they’ve recently been granted a patent for “personalization using a hand-pressure signature,” for specific applications to a video game console controller.
Given a device (or in this case an Xbox controller) were to be designed with this technology in mind, it would include a small amount of internal memory coupled with a minor processing unit. This would allow processing of user-exerted pressure upon gripping of the device, where it would then compare the results to an additionally stored database of pressure profiles.
When a match is found, the connected device (such as an Xbox 360) would then display information associated with that individual –GamerTags, avatar’s, Gamerscore, purchasing suggestions and other pieces of related information come to mind.
As Joystiq so distinctly points out, this technology could even stretch its use to mobile devices like phones, where, when picked up by the user, automatically configures itself to a profile specific to a user’s preference.
I personally can see this technology being implemented in the next round of gaming hardware, where a family member or roommate can pick up the controller, and the machine will turn on, sign you in, and load any choice preferences specific to your profile.
The future baby, it’s looking rad.
[via USPTO]
/images/blank.gif){kind=spacer}
/images/top.png)
I’d be interested in seeing a controller like this made out of a memory foam type material, just on comfort’s sake I think it would be rather good when compared to all the hard plastic we have had throughout the years.
Maybe they could use silicone, that way it’d appeal to the imagination if you catch my drift (breast implants, that’s what I’m getting at).
turning on when I pick up the controller won’t work, there are too many situations when you won’t want that to happen. The rest however, sounds fantastic.