Sony's groundbreaking patent focuses on enhancing accessibility for deaf gamers by introducing real-time in-game sign language translation. This innovative technology facilitates communication between players using different sign languages.

Sony Patents Real-Time Sign Language Translation for Video Games

Leveraging VR and Cloud Gaming Technologies

This patent, titled "TRANSLATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT," details a system enabling seamless communication between gamers using different sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL) and Japanese Sign Language (JSL). The goal is to provide real-time translation during in-game interactions. The system will translate sign language gestures into text, convert the text to the target language, and then render the translated text back into the corresponding sign language gestures displayed via on-screen avatars or virtual indicators.

As described in the patent application, the system addresses the inherent non-universality of sign languages by capturing, interpreting, and generating sign language output tailored to each user's native sign language. The technology aims to bridge communication gaps between deaf gamers, ensuring inclusive gameplay experiences.

Sony proposes implementing this system using VR headsets or head-mounted displays (HMDs). These HMDs would connect to a user device (PC, game console, etc.), providing an immersive virtual environment. The user devices could then communicate with each other and a game server over a network.

The patent suggests the game server could manage a shared game session, maintaining game state and synchronizing user devices. Furthermore, Sony proposes integrating the game server with a cloud gaming system to stream video between user devices, enhancing the system's scalability and accessibility. This architecture would allow for simultaneous interaction and communication within a shared virtual environment (the game) across a network or cloud gaming platform.