Sony patents a new system of backward compatibility

[patapon]

Saw this on reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/PS4/comments/am1ilp/sony_patents_a_new_system_of_backward/

Link to the patent

https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/web/PU/JPA_H31503013/23C0ECC1DA1FEA585B38A470480304CE

Translation:

Sony Japan has just registered a new patent that allows the retrocompatibility of the hardware with previous consoles. It is a system to be applied in a future machine, PS5, and that allows the CPU of the new console to be able to "interpret" the central unit of the previous machines. The author of the development was Mark Cerny, the architect who designed the PS4 structure, and the patent, which has been filed under number 2019-503013, briefly explains what it consists of.

The aim is to make the applications designed for the previous consoles (legacy device) run perfectly on the most powerful hardware, and is focused on eliminating the synchronization errors between the new consoles and the behavior of the previous ones (PS4, PS3, PS2 and PSX). For example, if the CPU of the new console is faster than the previous one, data could be overwritten prematurely, even if they were still being used by another component.

Thanks to the new system, PS5 would be able to imitate the behavior of the previous consoles, so that the information that arrives at the different processors is returned in response to the "calls" of the games. The processor is able to detect the needs of each application and behave as if it were the original "brain" of each machine, cheating the software. This technology does not prevent PS5 could also have additional processors to have compatibility with machines whose architecture is difficult to replicate, as in the case of PS2.

In this blog you can see the most detailed information of the patent, with the diagrams in Japanese. Yesterday we explained the SRGAN process that allows you to perform "remastering by emulation" (another of the elements that Sony has patented, and converts images in SD resolution in 4K using artificial intelligence.

Click to shrink...

More details here (Japanese)

http://blog.hokanko-alt.com/archives/54822370.html

 

[Deleted member 15428]

Companies patent a lot of stuff, that doesn't mean they'll use it

 

[nightstalker962]

This sounds too good to be true.

 

[Majora's Mask]

Based Cerny. Here's hoping it actually gets implemented.

 

[crimilde]

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I feel like a patent for BC is filed every gen, but this time it needs to finally be fully realized

 

[____]

Read about this earlier. Since Cerny is behind it I feel this certainly has some merit for PS5 and bodes well for the future.

Happy if it works out for those that wanted this.

 

[ArmGunar]

If PS5 is BC PS4, PS3, PS2 and PS1

It's a megaton announcement, look forward PS5 reveal

 

[stinkyguy666]

"previous machines" does that mean we're getting full BC from PS1->PS4?

 

[cw_sasuke]

They have to step their BC game in a big way considering what MS is offering.

If PS5 is BC PS4, PS3, PS2 and PS1

It's a megaton announcement, look forward PS5 reveal

Click to shrink...

I dont know about PS3(well outside of streaming) - but the other consoles should be more than reasonable.

 

[Demacabre]

Thank fucking god. I would have jumped ship if all my ps4 games were obsolete.

 

[BenRoderick]

Interesting, but curious if it's true.

 

[AgeOfZelda]

Please. I still have my PS3 games and would love the chance to use them.

 

[Pankratous]

I'm fully expecting backwards compatibility, although I wasn't expecting PS3. Bonus if that is in, but wouldn't be too disappointed if it's not.

 

[Vash]

I seriously hope this is going to be real, and that it's for both digital and physical releases. If true, I would be extremely happy since I haven't gotten rid of any of my previous games and consoles.

Definitely keeping my eyes on this.

Edit: From the looks of it, it should be able to go all the way back to PSX (PSOne). If they added a functionality for digital PSP/VITA games, then the PS5 would be a beast for collectors and those interested in old-school games.

 

[Trixie Mattel]

But I thought most people don't actually use backwards compatibility?

Jk great news, i'll be here day 1 for PS5 if it's BC with every PS System before it

 

[daybreak]

Now we're talking. I'm gonna need PS1-4 backwards compatibility if Sony wants to keep me around, super jealous of Xbox One's backwards compatibility.

 

[antennastoheaven]

Thing is, Backward Compatibility technical implementation is not all. Sony needs to nail the business-side of the implementation.

Please let us use our old CDs/DVDs/BRs and downloads. Please don't make us buy games all over again...

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Given the lack of BC on the ps4 and all the shit talking Sony has done regarding BC I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Arttemis]

Entire platform-wide backwards compatibility would be nearly unimaginably awesome. Like god damn.

 

[PSOreo]

If PS5 can play PS3 and PS2 games I will be buying it day 0.

 

[Aygomyownroad]

Probably so they can resell the titles online rather than allow disc based emulation.

After how MS has implemented it I hope Sony do more and show more love for older gens

 

[Baccus]

So not enhanced compatibility huh? Dissapointing, but I guess it's fine.

 

[jpbonadio]

I don't care about BC other than the PS4, but it's good to know they are working with this for the PS5.

 

[blackmass]

I think we had a news like this before. This sounds too good to be true.

 

[Deleted member 426]

They have to step their BC game in a big way considering what MS is offering.

I dont know about PS3(well outside of streaming) - but the other consoles should be more than reasonable.

Click to shrink...

It's ltierally what put me off PS. I love retro games but remasters and remakes only cover a small selection of games. Microsoft (and to be honest Nintendo!) are much better with their legacy games.

 

[Ardiloso]

They already have a solution for ps1, ps2, psp and psvita bc but won't use it. Let's wait and see.

 

[Deleted member 24021]

If PS3 can play PS3 and PS2 games I will be buying it day 0.

Click to shrink...

Lucky for you, PS3s that can play PS3 and PS2 games already exist!

 

[Musubi]

Godlike if true.

 

[DXB-KNIGHT]

Might be used for GaaS

 

[Pottuvoi]

Lucky for you, PS3s that can play PS3 and PS2 games already exist!

Click to shrink...

And PSX games, it was glorious.

Really hope Ps5 will allow playing previous generation games from disk as well.. (PSP support would be nice as well.. especially with improvements.)

 

[MillionIII]

That would be great, I'd sell my ps3.

 

[Tusken77]

Always trust in Cerny.

 

[Modest_Modsoul]

If PS5 is BC PS4, PS3, PS2 and PS1

It's a megaton announcement, look forward PS5 reveal

Click to shrink...

Expanded to PSP & Vita as well would be sweet.

 

[Adamska]

A PS5 that supports every single one of my PSN purchases and PS+ games from day one would be an offer too good to pass. Looking forward for what Sony decides to do with this stuff.

 

[Rosebud]

If PS5 is BC PS4, PS3, PS2 and PS1

It's a megaton announcement, look forward PS5 reveal

Click to shrink...

I would buy a console day 1 for the first time.

 

[Pottuvoi]

Expanded to PSP & Vita as well would be sweet.

Click to shrink...

Yes, Vita would be nice although fitting front/back touchscreen controls could be challenging.

 

[angelgrievous]

The aim is to make the applications designed for the previous consoles (legacy device) run perfectly on the most powerful hardware, and is focused on eliminating the synchronization errors between the new consoles and the behavior of the previous ones (PS4, PS3, PS2 and PSX). For example, if the CPU of the new console is faster than the previous one, data could be overwritten prematurely, even if they were still being used by another component.

Click to shrink...

I read this as if Cerny was reading it out loud and fell asleep for a second.

I hope it comes to fruition.

 

[Fisty]

Holy shit if PS5 has compatibility for PS3 titles, Cerny will ascend to godhood

 

[Windrunner]

PS5 supporting PS1 to PS4 games as well as PSP and PSTV compatible Vita games is the dream. Do it Sony, reward my loyalty.

 

[raketenrolf]

PS5 having bc with every previous console would be the only way to make me buy one at launch.

It must also be regionfree when it comes to using discs.

 

[Kuro]

Would be pretty cool to play ps3 games on ps5 as the bd drive controller on my super slim shorted out.

 

[Deadlast]

" converts images in SD resolution in 4K using artificial intelligence."
hrmmmmm. Not sure all of the results for this will be good.

"The aim is to make the applications designed for the previous consoles (legacy device) run perfectly on the most powerful hardware, and is focused on eliminating the synchronization errors between the new consoles and the behavior of the previous ones (PS4, PS3, PS2 and PSX). For example, if the CPU of the new console is faster than the previous one, data could be overwritten prematurely, even if they were still being used by another component. "

I could hear Mark Cerny saying this in my head.

 

[_Karooo]

I mean this is obvious. I hope it can run all digital PS4 games too.

 

[Detective Loki]

Given the lack of BC on the ps4 and all the shit talking Sony has done regarding BC I'm not holding my breath.

Click to shrink...

Because BC on PS4 is impossible for PS3 games

 

[Rosebud]

My PS3 is old and tired, let me retire him Sony.

 

[DyslexicAlucard]

Not that I wouldn't appreciate such extensive BC being implemented, but if they didn't even bother allowing PSX games to be backward compatible this go round, I doubt they'd make such an abrupt about face next time. Heck, they ditched BC and became the most profitable console on the market by far.

My guess is, like many corporate patents, this was something being tinkered with and Sony figured they may as well patent it just in case.

 

[Riderz1337]

PS5 being backwards compatible with the PS4 is a given. If they manage to make it backwards compatible with the PS3 that would be a godsend but I'm not counting on it.

 

[TheStebe]

Imagine the ps5 the ultimate playstation emulator with the ability to have special controller attachments for each game to play so we wont need any issues with different control schemes with just one controller?

 

[RexNovis]

I dont know about PS3(well outside of streaming) - but the other consoles should be more than reasonable.

Click to shrink...

Actually with the new CPUs likely having 8 cores it'd probably be possible for them to emulate the Cell Cores (which if I remember correctly also had 8 cores) so it's not out of the realm of possibility