Patents for the PS5?
The PlayStation has been part of our childhood memories for decades. The beloved gaming platform has undergone several changes throughout the years. From the PS1 to the PS4, the PlayStation has received several upgrades, such as less emphasis on memory cards and wired controllers. But rumors has it that the PlayStation 5 (or “PS5”) will be released soon. If so, what changes can we possibly expect from the PS5?
Sony’s patent
Sony owns several, if not hundreds of patents. But Sony has recently received a patent for some new interesting tech. One such patent is patent no. 10,279,255 (‘255 patent), which is titled “[p]osition-dependent gaming, 3-D controller, and handheld as a remote. ” This invention may have some aspects of augmented displays and videos. The brief summary reads “methods, systems, and devices are presented for augmenting video using a relative distance and direction of a mobile display from a fixed display. Movement of the mobile display can be used as an input to a video game and/or to help render graphics associated with the video game. For example, a user driving a video game jeep through a jungle may have a view out the front windshield of the jeep from a fixed display and be able to slew his mobile device up and around to look at things above and behind him in the virtual jungle. “
To read Sony’s patent, click here.
Claims
The first claim of the ‘255 patent reads “[a] system for augmented video, the system comprising:a video source configured to provide video content to a first video display; anda mobile device with an integrated video camera and second display, the first video display being different from the second display of the mobile device, the mobile device configured to:track a distance and direction of the first video display relative to the mobile device using the video camera;determine a first position coordinate of the mobile device using the tracked relative distance and direction; andrender, on the second display, a first object in a position on the second display, wherein the first object corresponds to another mobile device, and wherein the position of the first object is based on the determined first position coordinate of the mobile device and a determined second position coordinate of the other mobile device, wherein the video source and mobile device are configured to execute a video game and the first position coordinate input to the video game.”
What could this mean?
The patent reveals some potential technology that may be incorporated into Sony’s gaming systems. But the question is, which gaming system will be the one that has the new features covered by the ‘255 patent? Will it be incorporated into some new version of the PS4? Or will it be a part of the PS5? Or will it be on its own? It’s still too early to tell. But regardless, it’s an exciting feature that most of us are probably glad to see in the future.
How does this affect Sony’s competitors?
Sony’s PlayStation isn’t the only gaming platform in town. The Nintendo Switch and Microsoft’s Xbox are two of Sony’s biggest competitors at the moment. Would they be able to produce the same exact thing for their gaming platforms? The answer is probably not. The ‘255 patent gives Sony the exclusive right to stop others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing into the United States a device covered by the ‘255 patent. Of course, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo can always work out some sort of agreement or licensing deal to allow use of some of the technology covered by the ‘255 patent.
What are some other features that we may see in the future for the PS5?
The ‘255 patent is just one of the many patents assigned or owned by Sony. Let’s check out some of the other patented inventions that Sony may incorporate into the PS5.
System and method for dynamically loading game software for smooth game play (U.S. 10,322,347)
Sony may incorporate a new system and method for improving load screens, which is covered by US Patent No. 10,322,347 (‘347 patent). The summary of the invention of the ‘347 patent states that invention is “a system and method are disclosed for dynamically loading game software for smooth game play.” More specifically “[a] load boundary associated with a game environment is identified…[a] position of a character in the game environment is then monitored…[i]nstructions corresponding to another game environment are loaded into a memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.”
Click here to read the entire ‘347 patent.
Setting up gaming sessions to reduce waiting time (U.S. 10,076,702)
Sony has another patented invention that may reduce the waiting time associated with game sessions. This invention is covered by US Patent No. 10,076,702 (‘702 patent). The background of the invention states that “[m]ultiplayer gaming sessions involve multiple players playing a game across a network. A host may create a multiplayer gaming session, select a game for the multiplayer gaming session, and invite other players to the session. Different games may require varying loading times, which may lead to unnecessary delays in creating and joining a multiplayer gaming session.” Thus, the ‘702 patent more specifically may address issues associated with multiplayer gaming sessions and wait times.
Click here to read the entire ‘702 patent.
What are your thoughts on the patents that Sony filed? Leave a comment below to let us know what you think!
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Disclaimer: This article is not legal advice. It is only for educational or entertainment purposes only. Please do not use the article or contents of the article without permission. For legal advice and questions, please contact registered Patent Attorney Vincent LoTempio.
