Sony is working on a product which will further its reach in the video game market. The concept is that of a universal game controller. Sony filed a patent for a device which acts as a game controller across all gaming consoles. This patent, dated August 2008 was recently made public by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office. The patent application submitted by Sony describes this device as a “universal game console controller that has an LCD presenting, depending on what type of game console a user has input, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console.”
The controller has a LCD screen that would present the user with an option of selecting their gaming console. What sets it apart is the fact that this device has a touch based input taking a detour from the traditional gaming controllers. After doing that, the user can control the action with the device’s touch display instead of using the conventional game controller.
The patent has described the controller of Sony Playstation PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s XBOX 360 controller. The new controller’s layout for the Sony PlayStation 3 includes all PS3 controller buttons including the L3 and R3 buttons. It also describes Microsoft XBOX 360 controller, hinting at XBOX 360 support. The patent application mentions “The second layout includes, in a row from left to right, a ‘previous menu’ key, an ‘exit’ key, and a start key, keys X, Y, A, and B being presented in a box-like or cruciform-like arrangement on a right part of the display.”
Maybe we will never see such a device, but if such a thing is ever released, it would really help reduce the woes of gamers and Sony alike.