Microsoft patent application proposes six-axis remote that's buttered on both sides

We're usually pleasantly surprised by the interface technology out of Redmond, but we rarely see Microsoft tackle anything as simple as a TV remote control. However, a July 1st patent application by the software giant describes a fairly interesting gizmo with controls on multiple sides. With a six-axis inertial sensor package, the unit always knows which direction is up and activates only that side -- allowing engineers to slim down the unit (or cram more buttons into the same space) by putting contextually-aware touchscreens on any surface of the device. When you move the remote, the sensors detect that, too, and immediately illuminate the screen. Just goes to show you can always find a new angle for mundane technology, eh?

[jrolls Posted Jul 6th 2010 12:56AM]

wow and sony gets blamed with stealing controller ideas?

[PBB Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:17AM]

@jrolls
Just like Apple didn't invent multitouch, Sony didn't invent six-axis.

[tu eres estupido Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:20AM]

@jrolls just like how the concept of a UI and touch screens wasn't invented by apple or microsoft (it was presented by my uncle to SJ and BG)

[jrolls Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:22AM]

@PBB but sony was the first to have a six-axis accelerometer

[encler Posted Jul 6th 2010 11:21AM]

@jrolls Wow and nobody cares

[sonyforlife Posted Jul 6th 2010 12:08PM]

@jrolls

and it came out before the wii

[Chewy71 Posted Jul 6th 2010 12:56AM]

Sounds like could make things interesting in the high strung fast world of remotes

[zhangyuan18 Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:01AM]

Sounds like it could be a cube remote-- you know, six inertial orientations and all. Could make for an interesting form factor. Maybe shape it like a fuzzy dice and make it soft and indestructible? Market it as family friendly and easy to use. I can see that working.

[shadowmance22 Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:02AM]

Hmmm I wonder how much it will cost though....

[SskyNnet Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:16AM]

@shadowmance22 Probably the price of a zune

[loadoftoad Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:04AM]

Now no matter which way you hold it, someone can't say "you're holding it wrong".

[TechAndOnlyTech Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:47AM]

@loadoftoad

lol..

[Nate Dogg Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:08AM]

Not sure about the touch screen idea for a remote. I normally watch movies etc in a darkened room & would prefer not to have an annoying display light up and break the mood. It's not that hard to find a button you want by feel with the right layout of keys.

The six axis thing could be interesting though.

[Dreamwriter Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:20AM]

@Nate Dogg Touchscreen remotes are generally designed for non-technical folk. People who want to touch "Play Blu-Ray" rather than manually power up the TV, movie player, and stereo, and set the TV and stereo's input.

[SskyNnet Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:25AM]

@Nate Dogg According to how it was explained in the article, the six axis thing would not work with a control that is not touch screen. So this control has to have both (touch screen + six axis) or else it wouldn't be anything new.

Btw way I like the area codes(hoes) song, good job.

[Very Powerfull Codfish Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:18AM]

This just seems like a DOA thing to me. Kinet tech will become cheaper, and this won't even get the chance to be popular.

[loadoftoad Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:26AM]

@Very Powerfull Codfish

While Kinect is cool and I may get one I don't think its practical to change channels with on a tv.

Imaging waving your arms around like a tard, or drawing the numbers 4 and 3 to change the channel to 43; or better grab a simple remote control and press 4 and 3. Which sounds more convenient?

[Leachpunk Posted Jul 6th 2010 7:19AM]

@loadoftoad

While you'd be wasting time trying to draw 4 and 3 with your hands, i would simply say "Kinect, change to channel 43" and there you have it, channel 43 without having to move anything but my lips and strain my vocal cords.

[SskyNnet Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:20AM]

I still can't wait for the (Iron man - like) technology. Not specifically the robot, but the "computer" technology, it looked awesome

[pinktacoyummm Posted Jul 6th 2010 1:31AM]

shit things just got real!

[Trickymaster Posted Jul 6th 2010 2:20AM]

LOL That's all you need for a patent?

[isights Posted Jul 6th 2010 3:44AM]

How is this patentable? I have a clock that Google gave as a promo item years ago that used an orientation sensor to determine the device's function. Turn it on one side, it was a basic clock, the other a calendar, and so on.

[Blaque14K Posted Jul 6th 2010 7:50AM]

@isights Welcome to the world of patents where its not about who did it first but who filed for the papers first smh.

[LANjackal Posted Jul 6th 2010 12:23PM]

After several rounds of reading this post, I still have no clue what the patent covers or what the device type it's referring to would even look like.

[HektikLyfe Posted Jul 6th 2010 12:33PM]

Next console.