Sony may increase PS3 power with external processor

Microsoft has said that the release and development of their Kinect motion-sensing game add-on for the Xbox 360 will extend the console’s life cycle over the next five years. Now it appears that Sony may have something more compelling than the Move to help extend the longevity of the PS3.

A patent recently filed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo, JP, shows that the company is considering releasing an external processing component to give the system a boost of power to help keep up with the demands of increasingly technically sophisticated operations.

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This passage from the patent filing explains Sony’s intentions regarding the device:

“In recent years, there has been an insatiable desire for faster computer processing data throughputs because cutting-edge computer applications involve real-time, multimedia functionality. Graphics applications are among those that place the highest demands on a processing system because they require such vast numbers of data accesses, data computations, and data manipulations in relatively short periods of time to achieve desirable visual results. These applications require extremely fast processing speeds, such as many thousands of megabits of data per second. While some processing systems employ a single processor to achieve fast processing speeds, others are implemented utilizing multi-processor architectures. In multi-processor systems, a plurality of sub-processors can operate in parallel (or at least in concert) to achieve desired processing results. Accordingly, there are needs in the art for new methods and apparatus for interconnecting one or more multiprocessor systems with one or more external devices to achieve higher processing capabilities.”

The patent paperwork also notes that a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) interface configuration will allow multiple external processors to work in a coherent fashion.

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PlayStationLifeStyle.net points out that the filing just took place in August and was only recently published, which likely means that any innovations relating to the patent are still a ways off.

While an increase in processing power will certainly extend the abilities, and thus the lifespan of the PS3, it still won’t have quite the same staying power that a shiny new console unit would have on consumers. Nonetheless, this could be the boost that Sony needs to keep up with archrival Microsoft. Now if we could only convince the company to open up homebrew capabilities…

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