Sony Patents Emotion Detecting Software For Games

[Nirolak]

It seems Sony has patented emotion detecting software for videogames. It'll be interesting to see what they use this for.

Apparently there are also some non game uses planned. One seems like it could be market research by telling whether or not you find the comedy you're watching funny, though it still seems to be done through the PS3.

Laughter… as a “controller”? It sounds funny on paper, but Sony Computer Entertainment America seems serious about the concept considering they filed a patent for a laugh detecting program. The application picks up on metadata, which includes laughter recorded by the microphone and a user’s expression from the camera. Both devices are linked to a “game console”, shown as a PlayStation 3 in the diagram, which identifies the user, notes emotions, and transfers the data over a network. How will Sony identify emotions? The patent mentions identifying body gestures and tracking group interactions “such as when two individuals give each other a ‘High Five.’” Sony also developed smile detecting software for their Cyber Shot W120 camera which could be used too. While the patent focuses on laughter it can identify other emotions such as sadness, excitement, anger, joy, interest, and boredom. For example, boredom may be detected if a user is “looking away from the presentation, yawning, or talking over the presentation.” Here’s an example set of data and a flow chart depicting how the system works. The software isn’t limited to video games. It can also be used for TV shows, films, and other media presentations, but we’ll drop those for now. What do you think of a game that can read your emotions? Perhaps, an RPG that changes its story or the way the characters interact based on how you react.

Source: http://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/14...king-software/

[Pai Pai Master]

This is far, far worse looking than Nintendo's horse thing.

[Gravijah]

First step towards emulating the emotion engine.

[BeeDog]

What the fuck at the speech bubble.

[Sentry]

Oh god at the first pic.. saw this the other day but didn't want to post it, save Sony the embarrassment.

[PjotrStroganov]

Sony is using this topic to refine their tech!

[alba]

Ha. Ha. Ha. What's next, seriously?

[MiamiWesker]

The game on the screen.

[Aljosa]

Sounds cool, but holy shit at the pictures.

[acidviper]

Emotion Engine+

[intheinbetween]

[Blizzard]

The naked man with the shoe-wheel on screen TERRIFIES me.

[Cat in the Hat]

What the fuck

What's with the sexual pleasure device on screen?

[Pai Pai Master]

The guy looks like Norman Osbourne + The Joker.

[bigdaddygamebot]

I'm hoping this is some joke.

Sony has seriously lost their fucking minds if true.

[Kandrick]

[BlackBond]

Fanboys won't be able to handle this kind of thing. They are all as over emotional as teenage girls. If a machine was made to detect emotions the majority of gamers being secluded bias, blinded, by plastic and metal fanboys would bring gaming to an all new low.

[MightyHedgehog]

What is it with Sony and emotions?

[ntropy]

laughing man looks like the joker

[Sadist]

Hmm...

[Sentry]

What the fuck What's with the sexual pleasure device on screen?

I think... I think it's supposed to be funny? But hey it's on a SONY® BRAVIA®!!!

[LQX]

So does this mean even if Natal can see your facial gestures and other emotions like clapping then games wont be able to take it under consideration on the 360? I would think features like what Sony patented are part of Natal.

[Raist]

Program: Crazy Inventors

Well...

[_leech_]

Cool idea, hilarious diagram

[RubberJohnny]

Looks like they got some ideas from Natal.

[ZeroRay]

That picture made my day.

[CRD90]

The game on the screen.

I think it's meant to be a TV show.

[deepbrown]

They had this in their trailer of that EyeToy game..

[Wordsgohere]

Good to know that patent images are still terrifying.

[RubberJohnny]

That TV Show better see some use in some News or NPD threads. Perfect for captions.

[ukresistance]

Apparently there are also some non game uses planned. One seems like it could be market research by telling whether or not you find the comedy you're watching funny, though it still seems to be done through the PS3.

Does this mean no more Adam Sandler/Rob Schneider movies from Sony Pictures?

[Galvanise_]

So does this mean even if Natal can see your facial gestures and other emotions like clapping then games wont be able to take it under consideration on the 360? I would think features like what Sony patented are part of Natal.

Sony have also patented using real world items as an item in a camera based game. I.e. Scanning the item with the camera, and using it as a point of reference in the game. Microsoft had this in their E3 vignette (scanning a skateboard) but it looks like Sony have the patent.

[ZealousD]

Is that uhhh.... a self ass-kicking machine?

[Magnus_Bulla]

Sony needs to use that machine on themselves after coming up with this idea.

[Blizzard]

I'm awful, but here's my first attempt (I started making it before I saw other people comparing him to the Joker).

[MightyHedgehog]

I wonder if® we're going to see Playstation® Eye® software that® takes advantage of this® soon? Man,® can't wait to see it on my Sony® Bravia® with my Playstation® 3® hooked up to my Sony® receiver. I'll have to take a picture of it with my new Sony® Cybershot® or® with my Sony® Handicam®. I can't decide. I might just go with my Sony® Vaio®'s built-in® cam, though.® Then® I® can® edit® all® together® using® Sony® Vegas® Pro® software® .

[Stitch]

wat

[godhandiscen]

Sony have also patented using real world items as an item in a camera based game. I.e. Scanning the item with the camera, and using it as a point of reference in the game. Microsoft had this in their E3 vignette (scanning a skateboard) but it looks like Sony have the patent.

Aww fuck really? So now Microsoft won't be able to use it? That's bullshit. I think you can patent an implementation, but not an idea, so as long as Microsoft uses a different software technique it will be fine. Same with this emotion recognition which they also had in the Natal vignette.

[Blizzard]

Attempt 2:

[deepbrown]

Yeah it was in Eyedentify - the characters knew when the guy was laughing. Remember?

[Combichristoffersen]

Attempt 2: http://i25.tinypic.com/2cok8x2.jpg

"Some men just want to watch the Talladega Nights BD"

[[Nintex]]

I like the name of the program: "Crazy inventors". I bet that Tim Schaffer didn't have this in mind when he told devs to run with their 'dumb' ideas.

[Nirolak]

Aww fuck really? So now Microsoft won't be able to use it? That's bullshit. I think you can patent an implementation, but not an idea, so as long as Microsoft uses a different software technique it will be fine. Same with this emotion recognition which they also had in the Natal vignette.

It depends on how they do it actually. You can make something do the same thing with a different method and not violate a patent.

[JonStark]

Attempt 2:

Made my day :p

[deepbrown]

Well the pic all made you laugh...

[Magypsy23]

17 17 17 17

[AndyD]

Aww fuck really? So now Microsoft won't be able to use it? That's bullshit. I think you can patent an implementation, but not an idea, so as long as Microsoft uses a different software technique it will be fine. Same with this emotion recognition which they also had in the Natal vignette.

if your implmentation is basic enough it is virtually the idea.

same with ms having the patent for custom soundtracks at "operating system level" and the only way around for sony is to have it built into each game, rather than universally.

[MightyHedgehog]

Eh, no one is going to be able to patent something so general. If it's an issue, you're going to see lots of lawyers get it on for some sort of settlement at worst. (Damn, that would be ultra-ridiculous.)

[SSJ1Goku]

+1 for E-motion

Homer: What the hell is so funny
Bart: Maybe it's the TV
Homer: *bangs on TV* Stupid TV! Be more funny

[Arnie]

HAHA A MAN WITH A BOOT IN HIS ASS