April 7, 2005 - (HOSTSEARCH.COM) - The web hosting industry could soon be revolutionized by a new Sony PlayStation technology.
As reported by Reuters, PlayStation maker Sony Corp. has been granted a patent for beaming sensory information directly into the brain.
The technique could one day be used to create videogames in which you can smell, taste, and touch, or to help people who are blind or deaf.
The U.S. patent, granted to Sony researcher Thomas Dawson, describes a technique for aiming ultrasonic pulses at specific areas of the brain to induce "sensory experiences" such as smells, sounds and images.
"The pulsed ultrasonic signal alters the neural timing in the cortex," the patent states. "No invasive surgery is needed to assist a person, such as a blind person, to view live and/or recorded images or hear sounds."
According to New Scientist magazine, the first to report on the patent, Sony's technique could be an improvement over an existing non-surgical method known as transcranial magnetic stimulation. This activates nerves using rapidly changing magnetic fields, but cannot be focused on small groups of brain cells.
If the technology pans out it could easily be ported to the internet world to create a massive new dimension to web site contents.
Soon web designers will have to become fluent not only in creating visual and audio content but olfactory and other sensory input as well.
While the new technology could truly revolutionize the gaming industry it has serious implications for the
adult hosting industry as well. Being able to feel and taste web content would give new meaning to the term ‘pop up’ advertising for adult web sites.
The technology will of course have to be extremely secure because in the hands of hackers or spammers the pulsed ultrasonic signals could trap internet users in a virtual world of Viagra and Xanex advertisement from which there is no escape.
Can you say, “Follow the white rabbit.”
