A recently-published patent from
Sony Interactive Entertainment suggests that the company is working on a new VR
motion controller, similar to those for the Valve Index. The patent for a Controller
Device outlines an input mechanism for a home-use game machine that detects
movement of a user’s hand. Not only that, but the kit features a plurality of
sensor units that detect the fingers of the user. These can detect the
proximity or contact of a finger and outputs a finger detection signal
indicating the state of proximity or contact of the finger.
The sensor units mentioned above
are placed where the fingers would rest just like the sensors on the Index
controllers or those embedded in an Oculus Touch controller. When the fingers
are wrapped around the sensor, the controllers can relay that information to a
given VR game and reflect the user’s in-game hands as making a fist or grabbing
object. When the sensors can’t find a finger, they’ll assume its extended
outwards and reflect that in-app. This could indicate that Sony is looking to
implement this type of finger tracking into new motion controllers.
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