Wigs, Bananas and New Controllers: 10 Sony Patents

What is it?

"Wearable computing device" integrates a sensor, processing unit and communication interface into a wig. In FIG. 1, sensor 16, processing unit 18 and communication interface 20 sit beneath wig 12 on the user's head so the electronics can be visually hidden during normal use.

The patent calls the concept "SmartWig" and goes beyond passive sensing. It describes vibration actuators around the head for directional navigation and wireless communication with external devices. Instead of adding another object to the wrist or face, it tries to make the electronics disappear into the hairstyle itself.

What is it?

"System and method for generating user inputs for a video game" starts with an object that was never manufactured as a controller. The patent uses two bananas as a controller in FIG. 6, then shows a single banana with virtual controls overlaid on its surface in FIG. 8.

The object can be passive rather than fitted with a light, QR code or dedicated electronics. Image analysis recognizes the object and interactions with selected parts of it can be translated into game inputs. The system does not manufacture a new controller so much as temporarily declare an object in front of the camera to be one.

What is it?

"Contact lens and storage medium" places an image pickup unit, main control unit, wireless communication unit, storage unit and sensors inside a contact lens. FIG. 1 distributes those components around the pupil rather than putting a separate camera in front of the eye.

The patent describes capture in a direction associated with the wearer's gaze and gives examples in which sensed blinking can participate in capture control. The camera moves from something that is pointed toward a scene to something located almost exactly where the wearer is already looking.

What is it?

"Temperature feedback motion controller" expands game feedback beyond sound, light and vibration. FIG. 2 places alternating heated and cooled regions around the grip and shows a controller driving the HOT and COLD elements.

The patent describes mapping warmth and cold to game conditions and also discusses coordinating heating and cooling to create a thermal-grill illusion of stronger heat. A fire or icy surface on the display can therefore be translated into a changing physical temperature in the device being held.

What is it?

"Dual sphere foot operated position-based controller" puts a large rolling sphere under each foot and measures their movement as positional input. FIG. 6 shows both feet on the two spheres with support and sensing mechanisms arranged around and below them.

The patent identifies VR and AR as possible uses. Moving the navigation task to the feet leaves the hands free for other controllers or virtual-object manipulation, while the user can continue producing locomotion-like input without crossing the physical room.

What is it?

"Dynamic gloves to convey sense of touch and movement for virtual objects in HMD rendered environments" tries to let the hand feel a virtual object shown in the headset. FIG. 8 shows haptic devices distributed across the fingers and backs of the left and right gloves.

The patent describes sensations including vibration and pressure as well as texture, shape and temperature. As a virtual hand contacts or grips an object, the glove can change what the real fingers feel so the object is no longer defined only by pixels in the headset.

What is it?

"Robot Utility and Interface Device" borrows nearby surfaces as temporary displays. In FIG. 2, the robot projects "Please select an option" and several choices onto a wall while the user reaches toward the temporary interface.

The system can determine the user's position and a suitable physical surface, move the robot into a useful position, project the interface, then capture the user's movement and infer which option was selected. The display becomes a place the robot can borrow rather than a permanent part mounted on its body.

What is it?

The deliberately broad title of this patent is simply "Robot." FIG. 2 shows its most memorable embodiment, in which the dog head on robot body 2 has been replaced by giraffe head and neck 4a. The specification also discusses alternatives such as a cat head, horse-like legs and parts based on imaginary animals.

This is more than a cosmetic skin. A long neck changes the center of gravity and inertia, so the robot may select different drive parameters or learn a new way to move for the attached body configuration. The software is expected to follow the anatomy that has just been installed.

What is it?

"AI streamer with feedback to AI streamer based on spectators" describes an AI player that can adapt to audience reactions. FIG. 1 connects AI Player Logic to the game, a Streaming Server to multiple spectators and a Spectator Feedback Analyzer back into the service.

Audience response can be used to modify play or influence which model is used, and the patent also describes learning from spectator feedback. The relationship between player and viewers becomes a control loop in which the audience is part of the AI's input.

What is it?

"Wearable device" makes headphone fit electrically controllable rather than dependent only on a manual slider or the springiness of the headband. FIG. 1 uses large inward and outward arrows beside the earcups to show the change in clamping direction.

One embodiment places multiple shape-memory-alloy wires in the frame and uses electrically generated heat and contraction to change curvature. The controller can create multiple pressure levels, aiming to tune side pressure for different head sizes or comfort preferences.