"Avatars displayed to a user, in response to user gestures in the real world, e.g. in response to manipulation of a game controller or other such expedient [PlayStation Eye or wand-based motion control?—Ed], may toss tomatoes that stick to the actor's face or bounce off the actor's face and roll along a table that appears in the movie or television show."

The virtual avatars would be overlaid just like Joel Robinson's silhouette in Mystery Science Theater 3000. In fact, the patent application actually mentions the cult U.S comedy series.

"The avatar of the audience member 39a is now out of its seat, has rushed up to the actor in the scene, and has kicked the actor in the behind while the target is still displayed. The first participant to accomplish this may be awarded points…The kicked individual may be displaced or the portion of the body that is kicked may respond. Key to this aspect of the invention is modeling the physics and the interaction of the impacting object, e.g. the duck and the underlying object, e.g. the water, in a way that is realistic. Known game technology techniques can be used to accomplish this modeling."

Sony's patent also mentions the possibility of overlaying advertising like Nike and Coke logos. Come to think of it, being able to throw tomatoes at ads might actually get me to stop skipping them. At least until the novelty wears off. Either way, crazy stuff, no? [USPTO via Silicon Era via Kotaku]

Through a simple program, ABB's precise industrial robots are able to maintain tolerances tighter than 1mm—even at super speeds. As our own Brian Lam noted: "it's like the robot equivalent of chewing bubble gum and patting your head and rubbing your stomach." [ABB via BotJunkie]

So will there be 1:1 movement, accelerometers, or IR bars? We don't know. All the product promises in terms of functionality is the full gamut of Dual Shock controls (though note one analog stick is missing), "three dimensional motion sensing" and "super sensitive movement sensors."

But somehow the Blaze PS3mote promises to be compatible with Sega Tennis and Tiger Woods. Without the full support of EA or Sega (which we're doubting they have), it's hard to imagine the controller working very well. But hey, we're happy to be proven right when it comes out at an undisclosed time for an undisclosed price. [Blaze via ubergizmo]

Here's how everyone's still-favorite Microsoft figurehead (sorry Ballmer!) sees camera-based motion tech playing out:

[The concept also works] for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication...I think the value is as great for if you're in the home, as you want to manage your movies, music, home system type stuff, it's very cool there.

Combined with his statements that it's specifically "Windows guys" who've latched onto the technology, this implies something like a motion-controlled Windows, core application set or, at the very least, Media Center. He doesn't offer any specifics, but gesture-based music, video and photo manipulation aren't too difficult to imagine. What about office uses?:

...I think there's incredible value as we use that in the office connected to a Windows PC. So Microsoft research and the product groups have a lot going on there, because you can use the cost reduction that will take place over the years to say, why shouldn't that be in most office environments.

So the coolest thing about Natal in the workplace is, based on what we know now, "cost reduction." Guys, I want dance-actuated PowerPoint presentations at a minimum.

We'll probably see some meatier details about Microsoft's wider motion control ambitions soon enough, but even with this scant information, it's fair to say that the company is serious about the technology. We're well overdue for an overhaul to the way we interact with computers, and the fact that Microsoft is aware of this—and doing something about it—is promising. Tentatively. [CNET]

This isn't the motion controller wand we saw at E3. It looks a little more like Microsoft's Project Natal, except you'd actually be using physical objects—anything you had lying around—as a motion controller.

The object (demonstrated in the diagram by that U-shaped-looking thing) is mapped into the system by rotating it in front of the camera, and saving it as a file.

If this sees the light of day, I give it 24 hours until we see the first YouTube video of someone playing Killzone with their Chihuahua.

I also wonder if Sony will comment on this patent when it coughs up more details on its E3 announcements at the Develop Conference on July 14.

[Siliconera via Kotaku]

Broken by Kotaku, Sony met with developers to better explain their motion controller follow E3. Here's what was passed along:

• Spring 2010 release schedule (still no price)
• Four motion controllers can be tracked at one time
• The PlayStation Eye will support voice input/recognition, face/head tracking
• Sony would like to combine motion controller and Dual Shock gameplay
• Motion control sucks some PS3 horsepower, so developers will need to accommodate it

While Sony has been developing all the aforementioned technologies for some time, we can't help but see a few capabilities pointed out here—voice/facial recognition/tracking—that were neglected in Sony's E3 presentation. Is it possible that the positive response to Natal has made Sony reassess which components of their system are most marketable to developers? Yeah, it's possible. [Kotaku]

After being asked about the motion controller's relevance compared to the Dual Shock and PS Eye, John Koller, Director of Hardware Marketing for Sony responded:

It won't be a new Dual Shock. The Dual Shock is the defacto and it always will be. This will be a component that can be used for a variety of games.

Indeed, even when we question Koller as to whether or not we could expect a PS3 motion controller bundle at its release, he hedged, explaining that bundling motion with every PS3 "might not make sense."

In other words, motion controls may be in the PS3's future, but they aren't the future of the PS3—a somewhat different perspective than Microsoft has of their motion control peripheral, Project Natal.

Gameplay:

Interaction With Milo:


[GameTrailers.com]

Diagramed to work with the PS2 (but probably just as applicable to the PS3), Sony recounts variably-colored LEDs that fit on your fingers. A regular camera (like the EyeToy) tracks these LEDs—a task that's easy even in dark environments.

My gut tells me that this patent is a dated, defensive maneuver—the once-solution to the fundamental flaw with Nike's Kinetic for PS2. The exercise game was fantastic, but it just couldn't track user movement all that well in any sub-optimal lighting conditions. Then again, newer PS3 games (like Trials of Topoq) are based upon the same motion-tracking premise and they, too, are hindered by low light.

So I guess the rings could still be useful. I'm just not sure that anyone would view them as innovative enough to be worth the marketing push. [Siliconera via Kotaku]

GoLive2 Unveils Stix, a New Line of Wireless, Motion-Sensing Controllers Set to Redefine PC Gaming

Compatible with Thousands of Free Online Games, Stix Touch-Screen Controllers Bring Active, Motion-Sensing Gameplay to the PC

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Jul. 1, 2008 GoLive2, the independent gaming division of Playhut, Inc., today introduced Stix, a new line of wireless, motion-sensing gaming controllers for the PC and Internet. Redefining the PC and online gaming experience, Stix are wireless, touch-screen controllers that allow users to play thousands of free Web-based games as well as Games For Windows(R) titles with an active, motion-sensing play pattern. For the first time, players can abandon their mouse and keyboard to experience online and PC games in an entirely new way! Available at retailers nationwide in August, Stix are designed for players six years and older.



"Stix will completely change the way people experience online and PC gaming," said Brian Zheng, President, Playhut. "At purchase, Stix will be compatible with thousands of free online and retail games, and we're adding more games to that list daily. The fun is endless with Stix, and the wide-range of free, supported games makes this product perfect for every member of the family."

Introducing an unprecedented level of active gameplay to PC gaming, the motion-sensitive Stix are compatible with thousands of existing, free online games. GoLive2 will unveil two versions of the Stix available at launch: Stix 200 and Stix 400. Designed for casual gamers, Stix 200 adds active gameplay to 2D online gaming. Stix 400 is compatible with both 2D and 3D environments for the ultimate online and Games for Windows gaming experience.

As a compliment to the Stix product line, GoLive2 has also launched a free, online game portal called Sphere (http://Sphere.GoLive2.com) that provides hundreds of free games to play with Stix controllers. Sphere consists of both internally-developed games designed exclusively for the Stix as well as hosted games from online game developers that support Stix. Sphere also features a search engine that connects users to thousands of compatible, third-party free online games. In addition, users can configure their favorite PC games to preferred Stix settings. Finally, developers of all skill levels have the ability to create new games that harness the unique Stix gameplay pattern.

Stix will be available at retailers nationwide in August 2008, along with the Sphere companion site (http://Sphere.GoLive2.com).

For more information on the Stix line, visit http://www.GoLive2.com.

[Kotaku]

Its motion control interface lets you control the flow by pointing at what you want, and you can even control the temperature of the water with a nonchalant wave of your hand. In the middle of its selector dial, it shows you the water temperature in a digital readout. This is one fab-looking faucet with its LED-lit edges, but it might be a bit inconvenient to plug the thing in when you're installing it, since it requires a 12-volt DC power supply. It might be worth it to amaze your clean-freak friends. [Born Rich]

One thing I'm not certain of is that third parties are super-excited about that motion control—or at least they're not showing it with the games that are hitting the shelves yet. We're yet to see a really good game on Wii that really says 'OK that control kicked ass'.

I think the jury's way out on that. I don't know if it's really that meaningful or not. So I think the jury's out on whether everybody really wants [motion control] so we'll wait and see.

Microsoft Doesn't See Point of Motion Controls... Yet [Kotaku]

Instead of scrolling through your onscreen guides with the up/down/left/right buttons like you do now on your TiVo/Media Center, you can use the scrollwheel on the Loop like you would a PC. This means you get to your destination faster and more accurately. Just like a mouse for navigation is better than just using a keyboard, this is better than using a standard button-based remote.

But the remote is only half the story.

Hillcrest Labs is also focusing on its own in-house DVR software. Designed to work on set-top boxes like your cable receiver, thin-client PCs, or even regular home theater PCs, the DVR software looked actually pretty nice, and has similar functionality to Windows Media Center that we've been using for a couple years now. It's way beyond the usability that the lousy $9 Comcast HDTV DVR rental we're currently "using".

There's a web browser, photo viewer, music playback, video playback, and even On Demand support, along with the standard DVR features of playing back live TV and recorded TV. Hillcrest told us that they've secured deals with some major manufacturers/service providers, and they should be rolling out this software on machines sometime in 2007. Presumably with The Loop remote as part of the bundle.

When asked, Hillcrest told us that the motion-sensing technology could be adapted to standard-looking remotes with your regular amount of buttons on it, but that's up to market demand and what the service providers like Time Warner or Comcast want to do with their box.

All in all, a pretty promising idea which boils down to letting you mouse around a DVR interface using a remote instead of a mouse. And if they can get Comcast to replace the craptastic Motorola DVR? They'd get a hug and a kiss from every subscriber in the nation. – Jason Chen