Microsoft Patents Game Controller On Mobile Touch-enabled Devices

I recently came across this interesting patent from Microsoft related to gaming on mobile devices. Usually in console gaming, you have controller in your hands with display few meters away. In the case of mobile gaming, you hold both the controller and the display unit on your hands. In this patent, Microsoft is trying to propose a controller system for mobile devices that will be rendered during games. If Microsoft implements it, we can start enjoying on games on mobile devices with standard controller interface as opposed to various types controllers we see in mobile games. Also, this may allow Microsoft to port Xbox games easily to mobile devices. Last year, during annual company meeting, Microsoft demoed Halo game being streamed from internet on a Lumia 520 device.

Patent Abstract:

Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling a game with a mobile touch-enabled device. A thumbstick and a mode selection button can be rendered on a display of the mobile touch-enabled device. The thumbstick can be rendered on a reassignable area of the display and the mode selection button can be rendered on a mode selection area of the display. A touch (e.g., drag) from the mode selection area to the reassignable area can be detected, and an operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a depressed height in response to the touch in the reassignable area while the touch is detected without discontinuity of contact from starting the drag. Further, upon detecting discontinuation of the touch, a different operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a default height in response to a subsequent touch.

Source: USPTO