Sony patents universal controller

Sony Computer Entertainment has filed a patent for a universal game controller with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Gamespot reports.

The concept outlines a controller that can emulate peripherals from a range of consoles past and present. Amiga CD-32, Atari Jaguar, Gravis Gamepad and Turbographics controllers were given as examples, along with gamepads from Nintendo, Sega and Microsoft.

Sony's design showed a touch-screen LCD display that mimics button configurations for various gamepads. One control scheme is displayed at a time, and up to three can be stored for future reference. The device also functions as an alpha-numeric keypad.

"It may now be appreciated that among other advantages, the controller provides for backward compatibility so that it may be programmed to emulate the key layout of an older controller that may no longer be available," the patent read.

Controller data can be loaded with rumble and speaker function, and can be powered using a battery or used through the communication receiver.

Sony is expected to make an official announcement regarding the peripheral in the coming months.