Sony’s current DualSense controllers use physical buttons, triggers, and thumbsticks. These controls allow players to interact with a game. But what would happen if all these buttons disappeared from a future PlayStation 6 controller? That is the question a newly released patent has sparked among gamers. The patent describes a controller that replaces traditional physical controls with a touchscreen.
Understanding the patent
According to reports, Sony filed the application in February 2023, and it was later granted as a US patent. The document describes a controller with a large touchscreen covering the area where the physical buttons, thumbsticks, and D-pad would usually be positioned.
For now, this remains a patent, and Sony has not announced whether the design will be used for a PlayStation 6 controller. One notable feature is that the controller could automatically load the appropriate button arrangement for a specific game. Reports also suggest that players could choose between an asymmetrical Xbox-style layout and a symmetrical PlayStation-style layout.
The controller could also learn how a player holds it. This means it could potentially recognize individual players based on their grip and automatically restore their saved control configurations.
Another notable feature is a set of sensors that could detect exactly how a player touches the screen. These sensors could help distinguish between accidental and intentional touches. Industry experts suggest that the technology could support two features:
- Pressure-sensitive controls: The controller could respond differently depending on how much pressure a player applies to the touchscreen.
- Dead zones: Certain areas of the touchscreen could ignore input, preventing accidental activation when, for example, the side of a player’s palm touches the screen.
Will Sony introduce a touchscreen controller for the PlayStation 6?
Sony may never release this controller. Some industry observers believe the chances of it arriving with the PlayStation 6 are very low.
The patent suggests that Sony is exploring a different approach to controller design, but it does not confirm plans to bring the technology to market. The company could be investigating how software-defined controls might work in future devices.
Sony files thousands of patent applications each year, and many never become commercial products. This touchscreen controller could ultimately be another concept that remains on paper.
