Sony patent brings Wii-like interface to PS2
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Mar 16th 2009 at 8:30PM }
Sounds very much like the Wii to us, but there are apparently other uses in the works. Another patent diagram shows ring controllers, worn around a person's fingers, that transmit light and data. This kind of experience may lead to even more freeform methods of play, as players will no longer have to grasp a controller.
Before you get too excited (or digusted), remember this: not all patents come to fruition as actual products. Sony filed another patent last year for a unique break-apart controller that has yet to turn up. To get a further glance into the potential future, check out Siliconera's full report.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sony boy @ Mar 16th 2009 8:54PM
POWER GLOVE FANBOYS REJOICE!!!!
Extinction @ Mar 16th 2009 8:59PM
OLD. Its even been posted on this site before
shikyo @ Mar 16th 2009 9:00PM
That guy looks like he's holding a cigarette...
Colonel Radec (PSN: slycooper_rocker) @ Mar 16th 2009 9:44PM
dang you beat me to the punch
linebeginstoblur @ Mar 16th 2009 9:00PM
No! Why would people buy PS3s if they keep making the PS2s desirable? The life cycle thing is great, but console innovation and ports need to stop so people have incentive to upgrade.
Jack_Jackington @ Mar 16th 2009 9:33PM
this is what i LOVE about sony. always comin up with something new. top that MS
Game_playa @ Mar 16th 2009 9:36PM
Oh the irony.
Popfrogs @ Mar 17th 2009 3:44PM
@game_playa: whooosh.
realist @ Mar 16th 2009 10:08PM
This has existed as a product for many years already. In fact, I'm using it for my flight simulators.
Normally, the tag is placed on your head to provide tracking of head-movement, but they also have a ring in order to support trackin gof hand-movement.
I'm talking about the TrackIR of course. If you play anything simulation-related, you should really look into it. It improves immersion incredibly:
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/
This page has a reference to the ring:
http://www.extremegamingdevices.com/jsp/products/trackiraccessories/page.jsp
vypotx @ Mar 16th 2009 10:22PM
Sweet! Although some might complain about Sony "copying" or whatever... It is a really good move. To have a system that matches the next gen graphics of today with a bluray player, and then use the old system to compete with the wii, graphical wise and innovation, is surely the best thing to do. Looks like I'll be breaking out the PS2 from the dusty box in the closet by my laundry basket and used underwear.
Levi @ Mar 16th 2009 10:24PM
I thought at first glance it said PS3, and my very next thought was RESIDENT EVIL 5 WII ON THE PS3!!!
Then I got sad.
PSN: Erdie (Now equipped with 360!) @ Mar 16th 2009 10:33PM
A ring controller? That'd be great for...for...huh.
Meximanly @ Mar 16th 2009 10:56PM
"waving a hand in front of a camera connected to the PS2"
"players will no longer have to grasp a controller"
...
Sounds a lot like the Eye-Toy to me. How old is this?
shadowhowl1900 @ Mar 17th 2009 7:07AM
OMG stop doing stuff for the PS2 and work on the PS3 plz sony
jabba777 @ Mar 17th 2009 11:53AM
Isn't the wii just a repackaged ps2 slim? I thought all the internals of the wii was bought from Sony.
Popfrogs @ Mar 17th 2009 3:46PM
lolwut. It's a Gamecube with a waggle wand.
Felipe @ Mar 17th 2009 2:50PM
the man in the drawing looks either mad or confused, like he cant get it to work or something.
Popfrogs @ Mar 17th 2009 3:49PM
While this is a good idea, it's about 3 years too late. If they would have come up with something like this when the Wii came out, it would have been alot harder for Nintendo to sell 100 million consoles.
I guess it's still cool for some countries where import tariffs are sky-high, putting the Wii out of their reach. Not only that but you can't argue with the enormous install base of the PS2. Plus, the PS2 is so old and optimized (from an engineering standpoint) that they probably turn a nice profit from each unit sold...so ultimately it makes sense for Sony to at least attempt something like this.
ChiTownRuler23 @ Mar 17th 2009 4:57PM
this is old news guys, just because there's a patent for it doesn't mean it will be released, i mean if they were gonna sell a new PS2 model with Wii like possibilities why wouldn't it be a PS2 slim, that should be a dead give away i mean SONY would start manufacturing those again.