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Sony has received a US patent for a new type of PlayStation controller that uses a touchscreen and lets players decide where the buttons should be placed.

The patent was first filed in February 2023, but it was officially issued last week. It is described as “designs and methods for a game controller.”

According to the patent text and images, the controller would have a large touchscreen covering most of the top surface, where normal buttons are usually located. Instead of fixed buttons, players could customize the layout on the screen.

This means players could choose where to place the D-Pad, analog sticks, or action buttons, depending on their personal preference, accessibility needs, or the type of game they are playing.

The patent also suggests that players could resize buttons or even remove some buttons completely.
For example:

• In a simple platform game, a player could use one very large jump button.
• In a game that only needs a D-Pad or one analog stick, the player could remove unused buttons and make the remaining controls bigger.
  

Sony explains why this idea exists in the patent text:

“Often [conventional] controllers adhere to a similar control interface of having a directional pad on one side of the controller and buttons on the other side of the controller,” the patent description reads.

“One of the drawbacks of existing designs may be the fixed configuration. By way of example, a fixed layout may be too small, or too large, for a user. Similarly, a fixed layout may not be comfortable to a user. Manufacturers typically do not veer from layout or controller size to reduce cost. As result, controllers may include button configurations for hand sizes that do not accommodate all players.
“There exists a desire for game controllers to allow for different configurations, and accommodate hand sizes without having to customize or manufacture controller size.
“Another drawback of conventional controllers may be the fixed nature of input controls. For example, a controller only has enough space to include a directional pad and joystick, and each element is usually located in a different location.

“Due to size of physical control elements, game controls may be limited. In addition, inclusion of controls can increase controller size. There exists a need and a desire to allow for improvements and modifications to game controllers.”

One possible concern with this idea comes from past examples. In the 1990s, a third-party controller called the Turbo Touch 360 replaced the D-Pad with a touch panel. While it reduced thumb strain, many players accidentally moved their character just by resting their thumb on the surface.

Sony’s patent addresses this risk. It says the touchscreen would include pressure sensors and heat sensors to “detect condition of the input surface.”
While Sony does not clearly explain how advanced these sensors are, they may be able to tell the difference between a finger resting on the screen and a finger pressing a button.

As with many patents, this does not mean the controller will definitely be released. Companies often patent ideas even if they never become real products.