A new patent publication suggests that Microsoft may be exploring a different kind of haptic feedback for Xbox controllers. Although Microsoft filed the patent on August 8, 2023, it was published on December 19, 2024.
The patent document titled “Tuning Haptic Feedback of a Device” has interesting details of the new type of haptic feedback—that is if Microsoft ever decides to bring it to Xbox controllers bearing in mind that not all patents eventually make it to the market as products.
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“A device configured to generate haptic feedback is disclosed,” read the patent abstract. “The device includes a housing, a connector, and a haptic motor.”
“The connector includes a mount end coupled to the housing and a distal end spaced away from the mount end. The haptic motor is coupled to the distal end of the connector. Activation of the haptic motor causes the haptic motor to move relative to the housing to generate the haptic feedback.”
Six inventors were listed as the developers of the new haptic feedback technology. They include Qing Guo, Steven William Ranta, Edoardo Gastelum Enriquez, Ian Harman Skop, James David Wahl, and Pia Ivonne Santelices.
While in the gaming industry haptic feedback is mostly synonymous with controllers and hand-held devices, it is important to mention they can also be part of other devices including smartphones, tablet computing devices, gaming steering wheels, virtual reality controllers, virtual reality headsets, and styluses.
Therefore, there is still the chance that Microsoft may decide to utilize this patent in other products besides the Xbox controller. Nevertheless, the use of haptic feedback has led to a more immersive gaming experience.
“The concepts described herein enhance a haptic response of a device by incorporating haptic subcomponents into a moving or flexible mechanical architecture of the device that allows for the haptic motor to move relative to a housing of the device,” the patent reads.
“This allows for a lower cost, weight, size, and energy consuming haptic component to perform similar to a larger haptic component, or to enhance the haptic response of the larger haptic component.”
The future of a dedicated Xbox gaming console has been in doubt since the publisher started sending first-party titles to rival platforms. However, details like this give fans of the platform hope that all may not be lost just yet.
