Sony Interactive Entertainment Patent Outlines New Controller with Dynamic Haptic Buttons Using Liquid Filled Membranes and Magnetorheological Elastomer Technology
Sony Interactive Entertainment has applied for a patent outlining a controller with dynamic buttons which will physically change position during gameplay. The controller’s input is said to automatically change hardness/softness dependent on the in game situation, or the player’s choice as per Sony’s patent filing. This would mark an interesting next step for the manufacturer, attempting to bring deeper tactile feedback beyond simple rumble motors.
At the heart of Sony's concept is its focus on novel materials for the changing button’s resistance. According to Sony's documentation, one of its proposed solutions uses a magnetorheological elastomer that dynamically alter its density and rigidity when exposed to a generated magnetic field. Alternatively, one version of the controller would incorporate within the button housing, a number of small liquid filled membranes whose pressure can be manipulated by the player in game to offer varied physical resistances to the buttons, diversifiability to game feedback, and may perhaps even work as an aid for physically impaired players.
This particular patent is just one in a long list of experimental controller designs which its hardware engineering team has toyed with in the recent past. It has previously come to our attention that they’ve already been looking into button less and stick less controllers through a fully customisable touch surface adaptive controller concept, as well as a bendable mesh and cloth controller you could physically twist and squeeze to control games. Like Sony's previous patent filings these seem to be merely in the concept stage though and do not currently have any scheduled plans for consumer release.
