Sony Interactive Entertainment recently disclosed a new patent called "Input System", which allows smartphones to be connected to PlayStation controllers and used as extended control devices. This exploration may open up new possibilities for future controller designs.
Since the launch of the DualSense controller in the PS5 era, Sony has upgraded the traditional controller design with innovative features such as tactile feedback, and subsequently launched the DualSense Edge Elite Edition controller. Now, as players look forward to the next-generation PS6 controller, Sony is exploring more possibilities.
According to patent documents exposed by Cheat Happens, this "input system" technology describes a solution for connecting smartphones to PlayStation controllers. The mobile phone can be fixed on the controller through magnetic suction, and the two work together to form a complete input system.
In this solution, the mobile phone will function as a second device, bringing a new interactive method to game control. Smartphones’ built-in touch screens, motion sensors, cameras, and virtual buttons can all be used to send control commands. The core goal of this design is to further expand the available control dimensions based on traditional physical controllers.
According to the patent description, in certain usage scenarios, the smartphone can assume the role of the main control device, while the traditional controller still serves as the main physical control interface to interact with the player.
It should be noted that this technology is still in the patent application stage, and it has not yet been confirmed whether it will be used in future PlayStation hardware products.
