Input devices for gaming are not exactly diverse, as the industry has settled with two primary choices – controller, or mouse and keyboard. But one patent was granted that describes a new combination that is very “out there”. So much to that two thoughts come to mind – “why has no one thought of this before?” and “no wonder no one else has bothered to try it this way”.

The patent in question is titled “Multi-functional gaming input device with combined mouse and joystick”. Except, the joystick part of the equation is the left half of what looks like a DualShock 4, with its buttons presumably work as you’d expect. The right half is, instead, a mousepad with a mouse stuck onto it. Both are connected by a short cable, which begs the question of “where is the cable that plugs into your PC or console?”

An even worse problem than that, if you can believe it, is that the mouse is not even a proper conventional mouse. Most of the diagrams included in the patent reveal that the mouse itself is a glorified thumb stick. Diagrams showing the cutout of the mouse and the mousepad reveals the standard analogue stick design, down to what looks like a potentiometer.

Naturally, ergonomics is another headscratcher here, as there’s no conceivable way to use both halves comfortably. But since this patent is not tied to any of the usual companies, there’s a higher chance than usual of this not being a commercial product. For better or worse, I’ll leave it to your imagination.

(Source: USPTO)

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