SCEA Patents Wii-Like Controller With Additional Functionality

Sony has registered a patent for a new, break-apart controller with advanced motion-sensing technology. It isn’t immediately clear to Sony Insider if SCEA plans to make this an eventual SIXAXIS/DUALSHOCK controller replacement, or an accessory item for one of their 1st party games. The images accompanying the patent display two Wii-like remotes with removable button faceplates, topped off with strange, bulb-like shapes. These glowing, spherical structures house LEDs and ultrasonic sound emitters, which would allow the PlayStation Eye camera to determine the controllers’ positions in three-dimensional space. While the controller’s two pieces are separate in many of the provided images, they can also be connected in numerous configurations.

Often, companies such as Sony file patents that never come to fruitition. We can only speculate as to if this will become a real product, or just remain a cool concept. The possibilities are endless, and if executed well it could be yet another impressive addition to the already incredible featureset included with the PS3.