Due to the general failure of the PlayStation Move compared to the Kinect, it appears Sony is ready to cash in on Microsoft’s success with a product of their own.

With a new patent recently published in the company’s name, some information has been released about a 3D-depth sensing camera.

The patent states:

“An invention is provided for affording a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment using a depth sensing device. The invention includes obtaining depth values indicating distances from one or more physical objects in a physical scene to a depth sensing device…”

“A system for providing a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment, comprising: a depth sensing device capable of obtaining depth values indicating distances from one or more physical objects in a physical scene to a depth sensing device…”

As is typical with patents, Sony provided the office with some pictures of how depth would be recognized:

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Whether or not the new device will be released for the PS3 or a future console has not been divulged, but it would make sense for the company to hold off for the next-generation console, as releasing for use with the PS3 seems redundant, seeing as the PS Eye works fine for now.

Also worth considering is Sony’s apparent loyalty toward the PS3, mentioning in several press releases that they intend to stick with the console for the foreseeable future.

So, what do you guys think of this new camera? Is it just a copycat of the Kinect with a few tweaks, or is this something that the future of gaming could utilize?