Xbox One News: Microsoft Xbox Controller plans LEAKED by new patents for 2019 update? (Pic: MICROSOFT)
Xbox One fans should be receiving some excellent news next week about Razer's upcoming official wireless mouse and keyboard are coming, courtesy of hardware company Razer.
But looking further into the future, it appears as though the Redmond-based Microsoft company may be cooking up a brand new Xbox One controller in the works.
Right now it's not clear if this is for a new Xbox One Elite Controller 2 or just a new update to the standard Xbox controller.
However, this week two patents were discovered (via windowslatest), which were granted to Microsoft for its gaming controller as recently as December 2018.
The first of these patents was titled "INPUT DEVICE WITH LINEAR GEARED FEEDBACK TRIGGER" and read:
"A user-input device includes a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis, a rack gear interfacing with the user-actuatable trigger, a force-feedback motor including a drive gear interfacing with the rack gear, and a posture sensor configured to determine a posture of the user-actuatable trigger about the trigger axis.
"The force-feedback motor is configured to drive the rack gear based on a force-feedback signal."
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One of the images from the new patent. Yep, it's definitely an Xbox controller (Pic: Microsoft)
A second patent was also granted on the same day, titled “MOTOR-DRIVEN ADJUSTABLE-TENSION TRIGGER”.
Here's a quick look at the full description for the second patent, which reads:
"A user-input device includes a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis, a rack gear, a return spring operatively intermediate the user-actuatable trigger and the rack gear, a force-feedback motor and a posture sensor configured to determine a posture of the user-actuatable trigger about the trigger axis.
"The return spring is configured to forward bias the user-actuatable trigger toward an extended posture. The force-feedback motor is configured to drive the rack gear based on a force-feedback signal and thereby adjust a spring force applied by the return spring to the user-actuatable trigger"
In short, these patents appears to detail features which would allow for greater flexibility when adjusting the resistance from the controller triggers force feedback motor.
More control effectively means more responsiveness, especially helpful in games when triggers would be used for tasks that require cat-like reflexes, like shooting or running.
The rumoured Xbox Elite Controller 2 (Pic: IG)
New Xbox Elite Controller – Previous Leaks
In January this year, an anonymous Baidu poster claimed that this the new version of Microsoft's Premium joypad will feature a USB-C port for charging, Bluetooth support for Windows 10, three-level Hair Trigger Locks, longer key travel for the paddles, and a three-profile switch.
These images appeared to also indicate a new adjustable tension mechanism for extra customisation so you can adjust how loose or stiff they feel.
Intriguingly, The Verge points out that Microsoft filed a patent in December with "an adjustable lock design for the thumbsticks, and the images match that exact design, alongside three LEDs that could indicate battery life or the extra profile support."
Shortly after the Baidu leak, another image was posted to Reddit, only this time showing the entire controller in it's full glory
This second leak also appeared to show that this new controller could have improved grips, something which users of the existing Elite controller have long complained as being not up to scratch, as they've been known to wear down over time.
Following the leaks, leading technology website, The Verge suggested that "A source familiar with Microsofts Xbox plans" has confirmed the Reddit leak as genuine.
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