New PlayStation tech can detect users by how they hold their controller

A newly approved PlayStation patent describes technology that can automatically detect the user’s identity by how they hold their game controller.

Sony Interactive Entertainment’s patent for a “method of authentication” was filed in February and approved last week, reports Segment Next.

The patent describes a system that uses sensors (such as gyroscope and accelerometer) to determine the identity of specific users by how they hold their controller, and thus automatically log them in or out of their profiles when they use it.

The tech would remove the need for users to manually log into their accounts, the patent says, and would properly attribute scores and Trophies to the correct user when two or more players were sharing a controller.

The patent suggests that telemetry data would be used to identify the user and attributed to their user profiles.

Certain characteristics, such as the vertical position that the user typically holds the controller as well as the orientation (such as holding one side slightly higher than the other), would be identified over a certain period of time, such as 60 seconds.

If the data passes the system’s confidence test, a prompt would then allow users to accept or reject the detected user profile.

The patent indicates that the technology could work with a number of devices including a DualShock controller, Move and PSVR headset, although it’s not clear if it will be present in PS5.

further reading

1

Sony pushes DualSense in the first PlayStation 5 TV ad

Ad welcomes viewers to “a new world of immersion”

PlayStation is heavily promoting the features of PS5’s DualSense controller in its marketing for the new console.

Last week the platform holder premiered a PS5 TV ad which focuses on the new features of PS5’s DualSense controller and welcomes viewers to “a new world of immersion”. DualSense is set to feature haptic feedback and ‘adaptive’ triggers, among other features.

Accessibility is also a feature Sony is pushing with PlayStation 5. The console’s high-bandwidth SSD is set to significantly reduce load times, while PS5’s “completely revamped” interface will reportedly allow players to boot directly into multiplayer games and display joinable online activities in real-time.