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Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/19/sony_universal_controller_patent/

Sony seeks 'universal console controller' patent

Emulates PS3, Xbox 360, Wii controllers and more

By Tony Smith

Posted in Games, 19th February 2010 13:42 GMT

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It's perhaps a step too far to say that just because Sony has applied for a US patent that covers a "universal game console controller" that it's actually developing one with a view to bringing such a product to market.

But applied for such a patent it has.

The patent application - number 2010041480 [1], and spotted [2] by website GoRumors - was filed in August 2008, but this month received a provisional thumbs-up from the US Patent Office.

The application details "a universal game console controller that has an LCD presenting, depending on what type of game console a user has input, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console".

If you're in doubt that the word 'universal' applies to any games console, later in the application Sony adds:

"This document describes an adaptable or universal game controller which can be used to emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as, without limitation, the PlayStation made by Sony, a controller made by Nintendo [3], X-box [4] game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32 [5] controllers, Atari Jaguar [6] controllers, Gravis Gamepad [7] controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics controllers, one or more of which terms may be subject to trademark protection. For ease of exposition trademark symbols will not be further used herein."

No, we didn't think there was a market for Amiga, Sega and Jaguar controllers, either, but that's just Sony being comprehensive.

Will Sony ever bring such a gadget to market? Tell us what you think. ®