Sony patents smooth visual transitions when switching game quality modes
This patent describes a way for game controllers to have a specific button that changes the visual quality of a game. Instead of the picture instantly jumping from low to high detail, the system gradually blends the settings over a short time to make the change look smoother.
In the filing’s own words
A device, system, and computer program product for quickly manually switching between quality modes for an application. The device includes an application controller and an application renderer. The application controller includes a dedicated control configured to provide a signal to switch from a first quality mode to a second quality mode. The application renderer is configured to render the application in the first quality mode and switch to rendering in the second quality mode when the signal from the dedicated button of the controller is received and the renderer is configured to interpolate between rendering settings values of the first quality mode and rendering settings values of the second quality mode over a period of time before arriving at the rendering settings of the second quality mode. Interpolation between quality modes may include changing to one or more intermediate rendering settings values before reaching the rendering settings values of the second quality mode.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A device comprising: an application controller including a dedicated control configured to provide a signal to switch from at least a first quality mode to a second quality mode; and an application renderer configured to render a first application image frame of an application in the first quality mode and switch to render a second application image frame of the application in the second quality mode when the signal from the dedicated control of the application controller is received, wherein the first quality mode is associated with first rendering settings values and the second quality mode is associated with second rendering settings values, and wherein the application renderer is operable to switch from the first rendering settings values to the second rendering settings values and interpolate intermediate rendering settings values between the first rendering settings values and the second rendering settings values over a period of time before arriving at the second rendering settings values of the second quality mode.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC)
- Official title
- Manual switching between game modes with fade
- Patent number
- US12741203B2
- Application number
- 18220406
- Filed
- Jul 11, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 33
Classified under
A63F 13/355 Human necessitiesA63F 13/52 Human necessitiesG06T 15/04 Physics & computingG06T 15/06 Physics & computingA63F 2300/538 Human necessitiesMore from Sony in Games & media
- Sony patents game engine that reshuffles scenes based on your heart rate Sep 8, 2026
- Sony patents game controls that learn your unique hand movements Oct 13, 2026
- Sony patents eSport events where fans' cheers give players in-game power-ups Oct 20, 2026
- Sony patents game gear design using AI mood boards Oct 20, 2026
- Sony patents game feature that warns players before they hit a hard part Sep 3, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.