According to a patent, this could become a reality on Sony’s next-generation console.
The debut of the DualSense Edge in 2023 marked a milestone for Sony as it was the first professional controller officially released for a PlayStation console. Now, a new discovery suggests that Sony is working on a different type of controller with a much more ambitious design. According to the patent application, this controller will replace the PlayStation 5 DualSense’s touchpad with a touchscreen. The patent application, published on July 16 with the document identifier “20260199776 A1,” describes a modular controller. Sony included a sketch with the application.
"A video game system includes a controller that has a controller body with a processor and a user input device that is communicatively coupled with the processor. The user input device is attached to one or more locations on the controller body. The user input device includes a graphical user interface configured to present selectable icons to control or navigate features of the video game system, as well as a rotating member that rotates relative to an axis intersecting the controller body. This allows one or more selectable icons to be selected, or one or more features to be controlled or navigated," reads the abstract definition.
"Game controllers have been used to operate a variety of computing devices, ranging from computers to gaming consoles. Portable computing devices have typically had limited options for joystick-type game controller inputs. Joysticks generally include a stick that pivots on a base. A mechanism in the base reports the angle or direction to the controlled device. In some implementations, the mechanism also reports a magnitude. Thumbsticks are another option for controller input. Similar to joysticks, they pivot on a base and report an angle, direction, and sometimes magnitude to the controlled device. However, unlike joysticks, thumbsticks have a small protrusion that users move with their thumbs instead of a stick that they grasp. Video game controllers commonly have various sets of buttons and triggers for additional navigation and interaction with gaming applications. The summary of the invention claims that users may have varying preferences for the types of components they would like to use and where they would like the components situated on their video game controller," the summary of the invention claims.
The modular controller has several key features, including a detachable touchscreen, a rotatable navigation dial, magnetic modular components, and support for built-in notifications and quick console controls. The touchscreen can display menus, settings, messages, and notifications. The rotatable dial allows players to scroll through menus without taking their eyes off the game. According to the patent, it’s important to note that the dial and screen can be placed at different points on the controller and secured magnetically. The small touchscreen reportedly displays icons for the console’s functions and can be touched like a smartphone’s touchscreen. The screen itself may also be clickable.
The rotary dial is located on the opposite side of the touchscreen. Turning the dial allows you to navigate through menus and settings, and pressing the dial confirms a selection. The patent also suggests that the display could show phone calls, messages, and other notifications. If the player responds to these notifications, the game could automatically pause while the player handles them. As with any patent, this does not guarantee that the product will be manufactured. Companies often patent ideas that they never bring to market. This simply indicates that Sony is exploring a particular controller concept.
Could this be the next PlayStation 5 controller, or is it something Sony is developing for the rumored portable PlayStation 6?
Source: MP1st
