Sony patent application reveals multi-sensor control surface called EyePad

[wraggster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/sonyeyepadpatentjt.jpgPatents (http://www.engadget.com/tag/patent/), we love 'em. When else do we get to peek directly into the idea-pantry of big companies like Sony (http://www.engadget.com/tag/sony/). On the shelf today is this application for an "Input device, system and method," which as mundane as that sounds, actually appears quite the contrary. The flat, tablet-like illustration is described as having six-axis motion sensors, joystick controls, and illuminated edges that "provide a similar functionality to that of the illuminated ball of the Playstation move." So, this would work not only as a physical surface (it has touch sensors too), but also as a motion tracking device in conjunction with theEyeToy (http://www.engadget.com/tag/eyetoy/). That's not all, though, as there are plenty of references to a pair of stereoscopic cameras "of a type typically found in mobile phones and other compact devices" at each end of the touch surface -- allowing it to create depth maps. The result described in the application is an area above the "EyePad" where objects can be recognized, and perhaps incorporated into a game. We're not making that leap, either, as it's Sony itself which refers to existing controllers of "systems or entertainment devices such as the PlayStation 3." Of course itwould be a leap to connect it to, say, a forthcoming announcement (http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/sony-ps4-main-selling-point-new-playing-options/). While this all sounds really exciting, we can't help feeling like we've heard that product name somewhere before..?

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/14/sony-patent-app-shows-a-multi-sensor-control-surface-calls-it-e/