IbizaPocholo
NeoGAFs Kent Brockman
PS VR2 Headset Could Use Haptics for Better Surround Sound
A PlayStation patent for headset-based haptic sensors could hint at a technology the PS VR2 headsets use to enhance surround sound.
gamerant.com
The "Positional Haptics via Head-Mounted Peripheral" patent was published on Friday, though it was initially filed internationally on April 8, 2021. The patent is based around building a system of haptic sensors into a given headset. The PS VR2 headset is not specifically mentioned, though the original PS VR headset is shown in a drawing as an example device. Rather, the patent references a "virtual" headset. This virtual headset's movement would move in the same "position and orientation" of the player's character in-game. In effect, it's describing a virtual reality headset.
The patent itself describes using the haptics built into a given headset to communicate 3D audio cues to the player. More specifically, the patent describes using the haptic sensors in the headset to measure the player's head's relation to audio objects in a video game. With that in mind, a magnitude based on the distance to the audio object, frequency, and audio data based for that specific audio object would then be used to determine control of the haptic feedback of the sensors.
To summarize, it's a technology for introducing a feeling of touch to a video game experience, akin to how the PlayStation DualSense controllers introduce a feeling of touch through a player's hands. In an ideal scenario, imagine haptics being able to tease the feeling of wind running through the player's hair when an audio cue might not be appropriate, or movement increasing in intensity as players move toward an important noise.
Sony's announcement of the PS VR2 did not specifically mention haptic sensors being included in the headset, but it basically the same idea without mentioning the word "haptics." As part of the PS VR2's new sensory features, it's mentioned that "Headset Feedback" is included. Headset feedback is described as "amplifying the sensations of in-game actions from the player." It could potentially be used to show the player character's elevated pulse, objects flying past the character's head, or the movement of a vehicle as it speeds forward.
Perhaps the technology described in the new patent will be utilized in the PS VR2 or perhaps Sony's using separate technology for the PS VR2's sensory feature.
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PSVR 2 Could Use Gaze Tracking to Position the HUD rather than Head Movements
The second of PlayStation's VR products looks to improve the way users can look around in their games and HUD.
gamerant.com
A recent patent acquisition by Sony may also indicate another new feature coming to PlayStation VR 2. This patent revolves around automatic head positioning of a heads-up display based on gaze tracking. In the details of the patent, it reads that the headset will track the "gaze of the user as the user engages in interactivity with the view of the virtual environment." This means that rather than users having to tilt their head to look around, the PlayStation VR 2 would allow for users merely to use their eyes to look around.
By the description of the patent, this new feature for PlayStation VR 2 would not be dissimilar from the eye tracking technology that some YouTubers and streamers used for viral videos. Gaze tracking for PlayStation VR 2 was already hinted at way back in May of 2021, as a leaker dug into the potential upgrades of PlayStation VR 2. While this feature isn't yet fully confirmed, both pieces of evidence make it seem likely that PSVR 2 will have gaze tracking.
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