PS3 Wiimote

Sony patents 'Wiimote for PS3' - Motion-sensing technology for the PlayStation? Rumours that Sony is preparing to take on Nintendo's motion-sensing Wii controller have been revived after the PlayStation 3 (PS3) maker filed a patent for a technology that uses ultrasonic waves to track a player in 3D space.

According to a patent filing, the technology includes a "game interface tracks the position of one or more game controllers in 3-dimensional space using hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking system".

"The captured video information is used to identify a horizontal and vertical position for each controller within a capture area," continues the report. "The ultrasonic tracking system analyses sound communications to determine the distances between the game system and each controller and to determine the distances among the controllers."

The controller also fits together in a variety of combinations, much like the Menacer light gun peripheral for the Sega Genesis in the early 1990s. The original break apart PS3 controller design was actually unveiled in a separate patent filing earlier this year.

The Xbox 360, for its part, also saw its share of motion control rumours swirl throughout 2008. As of today, however, Microsoft has continued to deny the existence of a motion controller for that console.

Several months ago, a variety of legitimate publications got word of a PS3 Wiimote-like device that could split in two. We dubbed it the "DualMotion."

Today the patent for the DualMotion has been uncovered and while it uses accelerometers and LED-based tracking (similar to the Wiimote), the DualMotion also deploys ultrasonic frequencies to determine absolute xyz position (based upon controller distance from other controllers and your television).

Oh, and two DualMotions can assemble to make one big DualMotion. Just check it out in what we believe is the craziest patent diagram ever:

What's so unique about the DualMotion doesn't appear to be that it splits, but that it joins. In the leaked shots of the patent app, we see two different joined configurations. One puts them side by side, like a dual-wielded pistol, and the other attaches them butt to butt, like a dog bone or Requiem for a Dream.

Here are some picture sketches of the proposed design of the wiimote.

Freedom Controller - PS3 Motion Controller

Gaming accessories company In2Games, developer of motion sensing gaming technology for the PS3 and Xbox 360, has released the first picture of its 360/PS3 motion controller.



In2Games' Gametrak Freedom is described as, "a remarkable ultrasonic 3D motion sensing technology which delivers performance, control and flexibility far in excess of that offered by existing technologies."

Gametrak Freedom can be used with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, featuring "proprietary and cutting-edge patent-pending ultrasonic technology to provide a true motion capture gaming experience. Unlike other motion sensing gaming systems, Gametrak Freedom accurately tracks the true 3D position and precise movements of up to four players, anywhere within a given environment, giving total control and unrivalled game play opportunities."

Wii heightens the experience

"Until now, gaming has been limited to the player interacting with the game although platforms such as the Wii have heightened this experience. Now, with the latest motion sensing technology created by In2Games, the game will interact with the player" says Chris Richards, president and CEO for the California-based PDP. "We are extremely excited to bring this unparalleled technology to first-party console manufacturers, as well as third-party publishers and developers to further heighten the level of game interaction with the player."

The first game to make use of Gametrak Freedom's latest controller is In2Games' own Squeeballs, which TechRadar told you about earlier this year.

"We are planning a coordinated launch with other titles from participating publishers and developers that will position PDP's Gametrak Freedom technology as the standard for the industry," said John Moore, vice president of marketing for PDP.

What is Squeeballs?

"It's always good to see other companies adding to the Xbox 360 experience, although with new peripherals like this the big question is what games actually use it," noted editor of Official Xbox 360 magazine, Jon Hicks.

"Music titles like Guitar Hero and Rock Band justify their controllers, I've yet to hear a lot about Squeeballs. But if In2Games can add something new to existing games, that's great."

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