Sony Has Patent for Touch Screen Controller Similar to That of the Nintendo Wii U

It seems that before the Nintendo-made Wii U home console and its tablet-like touchscreen controller became a reality at the 2011 edition of the E3 trade event, rival Sony was thinking of creating a similar device and even filled a patent for it back during 2010.

The Sony incarnation of the idea was called “Position-Dependent Gaming 3-D controller, and Handheld as a Remote” (presumably not the launch name) and seems to be linked with the PlayStation 3 home gaming console.

A look at the patent information on the website of the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows that the device includes, ““Methods and systems for using a position of a mobile device with an integrated display as an input to a video game or other presentation are presented. Embodiments include rendering an avatar on a mobile device such that it appears to overlay a competing user in the real world.”

The document adds, “Using the mobile device’s position, view direction, and the other user’s mobile device position, an avatar (or vehicle, etc.) is depicted at an apparently inertially stabilized location of the other user’s mobile device or body. Some embodiments may estimate the other user’s head and body positions and angles and reflect them in the avatar’s gestures.”

The fact that the Sony device is shown interacting with a bigger screen probably means that it would help the player deal with larger experiences while also offering a range of new possibilities on its included screen.

The Nintendo Wii U will be re-revealed at the E3 2012 event and the company has said that it will be launching the device all over the world before the end of the year.

Both Sony and rival Microsoft have stated that at the moment they have long-term plans for their current console and do not plan to reveal a new generation.