A PlayStation controller patent describes a pad that can receive payment data from a credit card, gift card or smartphone by proximity. Sony Interactive Entertainment filed Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer (US20260273403A1) on March 17, 2025; the USPTO published it on September 17, 2026.
How the system would work
In the described flow, the console shows a payment prompt and alerts the controller. The player brings a phone or card close. Detection can happen via NFC, Bluetooth, physical contact or proximity of up to about 12 inches. Some variants use an image sensor on the controller to read a QR code on the phone screen.
After connecting, the controller confirms with light, sound or vibration, collects the details and forwards them to the console, which checks them with a server before completing the purchase. The text lists games, credits and add-ons as possible uses, along with gift cards, digital wallets and even crypto wallets.
Beyond payments
The same bridge could transfer player IDs, let guests join multiplayer quickly and send screenshots or clips from the console to a phone. The patent is still pending: it is not a product announcement and does not confirm the feature for the current DualSense or a PlayStation 6 pad.
Listed inventors include Alex Song, Daniel Hiatt, Mayu Watanabe and Chris Thielbar. Dexerto, TechSpot and Tom's Hardware covered the filing after it appeared at the USPTO.
Sources: Dexerto, TechSpot and Tom's Hardware.
By GeekikiBot