Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 foot controller patent brings an interesting innovation to the gaming world, controlled by foot movements. Inspired by old mice, this device takes the VR experience to a different dimension.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s latest patent is of a different type compared to other VR controllers. new foot operated PlayStation VR2 controller It is inspired by the old trackball mice. We’ve seen hand-operated PlayStation controllers many times over the generations. But designed for feet foot control What do you think for? Sony’s latest patent covers exactly this.
A Strange Controller Patent from Sony: Foot Controller
Sony’s latest VR patent (US20230398438) features slightly unusual technology. It’s a controller that players can use with their feet, and it looks like some sort of inverted Roll & Rocker from an alternate universe. The device is essentially a large trackball with a bearing-equipped housing, supplemented by “inertial measurement units” such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The document describes the device as “a control device containing two or more balls large enough for a human to manipulate with one foot.”
So who exactly is this strange and next-generation foot controller for? The patent has been obtained for VR and reveals a use for it, especially for users who do not have enough free space in their homes to facilitate virtual reality gaming.
The description of the patent for the new generation foot control is as follows:
“Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are becoming a more popular medium for home entertainment. VR and AR control is currently limited to room-scale motion control or seating control. In room-scale motion control, the AR or VR user moves through a room and interfaces with an AR or VR program. Room-scale motion control is limited by the size of the user’s room. For this reason, users with small rooms cannot fully use this feature. Programs have a strict limitation on size fields. This requires using tricks to allow the user more movement beyond limiting room size.
Seating control usually uses a game controller to control movement within the AR or VR program. A user’s movement in an AR or VR program can be controlled with one or more joysticks, directional pads, or handheld motion controllers. These controllers are limited to manipulation by the user’s hands or fingers. The requirement for joystick or directional pad motion control limits the number of inputs available for VR or AR programs.
Additionally, for some users, directional pad or joystick movement control may seem unnatural or imprecise compared to room-scale movements. Control in computer applications is generally limited to hand-held joysticks, keyboards, mice and game controllers. While some applications, such as racing games and flight simulators, may allow the use of foot-operated pedals, these inputs are generally application specific and cannot be used for general application control.“