A Californian inventor has patented a new breed of throwable games controllers.

Each “tossable peripheral” resembles a normal throwable object (whatever this might mean!), like a beach ball, a football or a Frisbee. But they also connect via WiFi to a games console and contain an accelerometer capable of detecting speed and impact, an altimeter, a timer and a GPS receiver.

The console can then orchestrate a game of catch, awarding points for a good catch or deducting them if the peripheral is dropped hard on the ground. Or perhaps the challenge could be to throw the object furthest, highest or fastest, with the connected computer keeping track of different competitors’ scores. The peripheral can also emit a bleeps when it has been still for too long, to help the owner locate it in the long grass.

Via new scientist.

Maybe the guy should get in touch with Haiyan Zhang who designed the Control Freaks accessories that attach to any object or living thing. They can sense the movement and sound of their host and connect that feedback to a local gaming platform, translating the manipulation of the host into game play commands on the connected game platform.