Xbox 360 controller patent reads biometrics of your hands

A Microsoft patent for a biometrics-reading, pressure sensitive surface could hint at new capabilities for controllers on Xbox 360 — or the next Xbox console: the ability to sign-in a user by touch alone.

A Microsoft patent for a biometrics-reading, pressure sensitive surface could hint at new capabilities for controllers on Xbox 360 — or the next Xbox console: the ability to sign-in a user by touch alone.

The patent describes a controller (which very closely resembles an Xbox 360 controller, seen above) capable of reading a number of biometrics of its user's hands. These include the firmness of the user's grip, the length and breadth of their index and middle fingers, and the width of their entire hand. The controller is able to send these metrics to a console, which creates a "pressure profile signature." Whenever the player picks up the controller, it is able to check their grip against this signature, potentially signing them into Xbox Live without any further interaction.

This isn't the only button-free method for profile access that Microsoft has devised: the Kinect is also capable of signing in a user just by reading their entire body's biometrics. Should this patent be realized in future Xbox controllers, our game console is officially going to know more about our body then our most trusted physicians.

We've reached out to Microsoft to comment on the patent.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson responded, saying, "Microsoft regularly applies for and receives patents as part of its business practice. Not all patents applied for or received will be incorporated into a Microsoft product."