SCEA Files Patent for Laugh, Smile Detecting
Sony's new patent will know when you're laughing, crying, or straining due to gas. Maybe.
Could laughter be used as a controller? Apparently that is what Sony Computer Entertainment America is seeking with a new patent filed this month, describing a program that detects laughter and smiles. According to Siliconera, the program will even be able to pick up on other emotions as well, including excitement, sadness, joy, and more.
After finding the patent here at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, SCEA's Gary Zalewski explains that the application picks up on metadata collected by a camera and microphone. The diagram depicts these devices hooked up to the PlayStation 3 console, however the patent hints that the technology can be used outside video games, applying responses to movies, television shows, and other "media presentations."
We're not too sure how this type of application would be useful in a game environment save for American Idol-type titles where judging would be applied. According to the patent, the program can identify body gesture and track group interactions. If that is indeed the case, PlayStation Home may get even more realistic by applying player emotions to its virtual inhabitants.
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Whoever came up with that drawing needs to come up with better humor before creating more diagrams...
The idea of applying player emotions to a game would be neat, but the easiest way to read my in-game emotions is when I'm going around killing everyone. "He must be mad." >.
Perhaps Sony just wants the patent before Natal can actually do this.
I guess there is also the chance they are working on a Natal type system themself. But last i saw it was more a reguritation of Wii motion sensing.
**regurgitation
I don't really know much about the inner workings of patents, but hasn't something with facial recognition already been done with robotic android technology or something...?
Will the patent include code to detect the finger I am raising?
Natal and this are just modified eyetoys and motion sensing to me.
Bah
What if I am smiling "on the inside"?
A few digital cameras can automatically take pictures when the subject (s) smile. I wonder if this patent will be in conflict with this preexisting feature.
There has got to come a time when the patents start overlapping each other in some shape or form. Then it is time for the legal battle
Why don't they patent laughing, smiling and breathing altogether? Or perhaps they should patent living
He won't be laughin when he sees his telly is an oven door....
He won't be laughing when he sees his telly is an oven door....
He won't be laughin when he sees his telly is an oven door....
pity about the double post, but very lol indeed!
Big brother will love that, everybody must be happy otherwise the person is send to a rehabilitation centre.
No wonder there are so many lawsuits, that patent seems very large in scope.
don't casino's (the good ones) already have more advanced personnel monitoring equipment?
Wow..... that pic looks pretty wrong....
One of the applications for that in a game would be the expression of your character.
It could be used for online games, so if you were happy about something, your character could smile, or if mad, your character could frown.
first
Will they detect when I'm aroused?
Could be used to help determine what kind of clothing (or lack thereof) I prefer the characters to wear in game without having to customize it. =D
I think more people will laugh at the camera instead of for the camera.
I'm sick of the concept of patenting. Anyone with a camera, decent programming experience and lots of time could make something like this. Why can someone patent it?
It's a crock of sh*t.
Hum... I think it's time to sue Sony. They are depicting my "Rotating feet device to kick you own ass" without my aproval. I want one hundred gazillion dollars.
Hum... I think it's time to sue Sony. They are depicting my "Rotating feet device to kick you own ass" without my aproval. I want one hundred gazillion dollars.
Hum... I think it's time to sue Sony. They are depicting my "Rotating feet device to kick you own ass" without my aproval. I want one hundred gazillion dollars.
No way to delete repeated posts? Great
How much will they sue those that already detect smiles for auto shutter purposes because they haven't patented their invention or implementation.
And please bring back avatars on posts.
What about masturbation ?????
Would be good for porn