Xbox 720 Release Is Likely To Have Dual CPU, Allegedly Leaked Patent From Microsoft Reveals Clues About The Next-Gen Console

By Lisa Eadicicco | July 10 2012 11:09 AM

A newly discovered Microsoft patent filed in 2012 seems to confirm some of the details leaked last month about the company's next-generation gaming console. The Xbox 720, also known as Project Durango, may have separate CPUS: one that runs games and another that runs applications.

Sony/IBTimes UK

With the recent launch of Windows 8, Microsoft may have another new venture in the works. The software company could be releasing a pre-successor to its widespread gaming console, the Xbox 360. The new gaming system, which may be known as the Xbox Lite, will be launched before the next-generation Xbox console, according to rumors.

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The patent was originally found posted in a Beyond 3D forum by senior member Sonic on July 10. The abstract for the filing reads:

Versions of a multimedia computer system architecture are described which satisfy quality of service (QoS) guarantees for multimedia applications such as game applications while allowing platform resources, hardware resources in particular, to scale up or down over time.

This could mean that Microsoft might be creating a core gameplay platform for the next Xbox while upgrading other console capabilities, such as multimedia and social functions.

One of the first points made under the Claims section indicates that the scalable multimedia computer system described will contain both a platform CPU and an application CPU.

The filing matches a lot of the information that was revealed in the allegedly leaked 56-page document, which indicated that the Xbox 360 successor will feature Blu-ray support, native 3D output and glasses, apps, additional sensors and peripheral support.

However, the new patent application doesn't mention anything about specs for the next-generation Xbox, which was included in the previously leaked paperwork.

A week after that 56-page document surfaced online, a source confirmed to ComputerAndVideogames.com that the information was legitimate. Microsoft had issued the following statement to the gaming news site concerning the paperwork:

We understand there is great interest and anticipation for what comes next for Xbox and we are lucky to have customers who are so passionate about the platform. Today, there has never been a better time to own an Xbox 360 console. We have found new ways to extend the console lifecycle by introducing controller-free experiences with Kinect and we've re-invented the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are continually thinking about the future of the platform and when we have something to share, we will.

Last week Microsoft won the rights to six different domain names, two of which being Xbox8.org and Xbox8.us. This led some to believe that this would be the title of the next Xbox, but Microsoft has yet to confirm whether or not this is true. The other recently acquired domain names include XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, XboxLiveTV.com and XboxCompanion.com.