Microsoft has submitted a patent for a wearable bracelet-like device that, among other applications, could be used for gaming experiences similar to toys-to-life titles such as Disney Infinity and Skylanders.

　　The patent was filed with the World International Patent Organisation in April 2015, but published on September 17, 2015. According to the information included in the document, the device is made up of "interactive smart beads" attached to a "connecting element."

　　Together, these two aspects of the device can translate interactions with compatible objects into graphical representations.

　　"The connecting element also autonomously generates interactions between two or more detected beads and transmits data about the interactions to a software experience so that a user can view a graphical representation of the interactions," it explains.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Halo Through the Eyes of HoloLens at E3: 2015

　　GameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Koichi Adachi Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　"In various examples each bead represents a character, environment, object, etc. and the software experience displays an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects, etc. represented by the beads involved in an interaction."

　　Deeper into the patent, gaming experiences akin to Disney Infinity, Activision's Skyanders, and Nintendo's Amiibo, "have also been developed."

　　"Gameplay is enabled (or unlocked) through the use of physical character toys which are placed on a custom base connected to a games console," it explains.

　　"By placing different toys on the custom base, different gameplay is enabled."

　　Pictured: A breakdown of the unnamed wearable deviceMicrosoft frequently patents technology that, in many cases, aren't released as commercial products. In 2004, it patented wearable controllers that were activated using electrical signals created by muscle movement. This was, in theory, to be used with games like Guitar Hero.

　　On the other hand, its patent for a virtual reality headset eventually led to the announcement of Hololens, the company's augmented reality device.

　　In May, 2015, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted that its purchase of Minecraft developer Mojang was in part due to the potential benefits of marrying Minecraft and Hololens.

　　"Let's have a game that, in fact, will fundamentally help us change new categories," Nadella said. "HoloLens was very much in the works [when Microsoft announced the deal last year], and we knew it."