Two Sony patents have been spotted that may relate to the virtual reality headset the company is allegedly developing for use with the PlayStation 4.
Originally unearthed by NeoGAF user 'gofreak', the patents cover an audio system and a head mounted display (HMD) that lend further evidence to the idea that a rumoured Oculus Rift rival is being created by Sony.
The audio system patent isn't too illuminating, but covers a range of methods for alerting the gamer to a real-life emergency, like a crying baby, fire alarm, or object moving towards your head. It's been suggested that this means the finished product may possibly see you wearing noise-cancelling headphones while, naturally, unable to see your surroundings.
The HMD patent focuses on motion detection and image stabilisation, and was filed along with the other patent back in May 2013, though they've only just been published. Both the content and the accompanying pictures don't offer much insight into what may be being explored, but it does suggest that the VR headset is more than just a rumour.
The patents were filed by Sony WWS Stereoscopic Team senior engineer*Ian Bickerstaff and PlayStation Europe senior development manager Simon Benson. Know what's really interesting about that? Both of the inventors used to work at DriveClub developer Evolution Studios... which is exactly where testing for Sony's VR headset was supposedly taking place.
Sources suggest that the headset was originally down for a big reveal at Gamescom 2013, though a last minute decision was made to push this back to some time in 2014. As soon as anything concrete materialises, we'll be sure to let you know.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on*IGN*and on*Twitter.
More...
Originally unearthed by NeoGAF user 'gofreak', the patents cover an audio system and a head mounted display (HMD) that lend further evidence to the idea that a rumoured Oculus Rift rival is being created by Sony.
The audio system patent isn't too illuminating, but covers a range of methods for alerting the gamer to a real-life emergency, like a crying baby, fire alarm, or object moving towards your head. It's been suggested that this means the finished product may possibly see you wearing noise-cancelling headphones while, naturally, unable to see your surroundings.
The HMD patent focuses on motion detection and image stabilisation, and was filed along with the other patent back in May 2013, though they've only just been published. Both the content and the accompanying pictures don't offer much insight into what may be being explored, but it does suggest that the VR headset is more than just a rumour.
The patents were filed by Sony WWS Stereoscopic Team senior engineer*Ian Bickerstaff and PlayStation Europe senior development manager Simon Benson. Know what's really interesting about that? Both of the inventors used to work at DriveClub developer Evolution Studios... which is exactly where testing for Sony's VR headset was supposedly taking place.
Sources suggest that the headset was originally down for a big reveal at Gamescom 2013, though a last minute decision was made to push this back to some time in 2014. As soon as anything concrete materialises, we'll be sure to let you know.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on*IGN*and on*Twitter.
More...
