# Detecting When Gamers Stop Playing to Save Power

> Sony's 2010 patent on using motion and image data to detect when a gamer stops playing, allowing the game console to pause or save energy.

- **Patent:** US 7782297
- **Original title:** Method and apparatus for use in determining an activity level of a user in relation to a system
- **Owner:** Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
- **Granted:** 2010
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 42
- **Field:** consumer_electronics, gaming, software

## What it does

This patent describes a system for a game console that figures out if a player has stopped playing. It does this by combining information from different sensors. For example, it might use 'inertial tracking information' (like from a motion controller that senses movement) and 'image tracking information' (from a camera watching the player). By 'mixing' these signals, it creates a picture of the player's position and how they are oriented. Then, it processes this information to see if the player's activity drops below a certain level. If the player is inactive, the game console can then take action, like pausing the game, as described in claim 4. This is useful for saving power or preventing game progress loss.

## What it does NOT cover

- Detecting inactivity using only one type of sensor data (e.g., only motion or only camera).
- Systems that don't combine at least two types of tracking information.
- Methods that don't process the combined tracking data to determine inactivity.
- Systems that don't control the game apparatus based on detected inactivity.
- Detecting inactivity based solely on button presses or controller input.

## The clever bit

The core innovation was combining multiple, diverse sensor inputs (motion, camera) to reliably determine user inactivity, rather than relying on a single, potentially less accurate, data source.

## Real-world examples

1. PlayStation consoles with inactivity detection features
2. Motion-sensing game controllers
3. Camera-based player tracking systems in gaming

## Why it matters

This patent is relevant to the evolution of game consoles and energy-saving features. As consoles became more powerful, managing power consumption and user experience became important. Detecting inactivity allows for automatic pausing or power-down features, enhancing usability and efficiency for devices like the PlayStation.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Detecting When Gamers Stop Playing to Save Power cover?

Sony's 2010 patent on using motion and image data to detect when a gamer stops playing, allowing the game console to pause or save energy.

### Who owns patent US 7782297?

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC owns this patent, granted in 2010.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on August 24, 2030, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 7782297 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 42 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent is relevant to the evolution of game consoles and energy-saving features. As consoles became more powerful, managing power consumption and user experience became important. Detecting inactivity allows for automatic pausing or power-down features, enhancing usability and efficiency for devices like the PlayStation.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Detecting inactivity using only one type of sensor data (e.g., only motion or only camera).

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7782297/wii-remote

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US7782297

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._