An Exciting New PS5 Feature Could Be On Its Way

With the release of the PlayStation 5 so close at hand, it seems like the console couldn't possibly have any new surprises for gamers. However, a patent has recently leaked online for a controller upgrade that could quite literally change the game. The patent refers to a system called "Apparatus, System and Method of Authentication," and it is presumably being designed for the PlayStation 5.

The patent explains, "As internet connectivity for games consoles has become more widespread, it has become increasingly common for users to be able to login to the same user account as they use on their own console when playing on a different console. This is desirable, as a user may be able to track their in-game progress or access their account-specific content even when playing at a friend house."

To that end, Sony has envisioned a way for players to log into their specific accounts by the doing the simple act of picking up their controller. 

The concept raises a ton of questions about how it would actually work. The most obvious assumption here would be that the system would use fingerprint scans or some other kind of similar personal feedback. After all, Sony has already explained that to gamers that it wants to use everything from the tension in their fingers to the sweat in their palms to create immersive experiences with the DualSense controller. However, the patent proposes a very different method of detection.

So how exactly does this thing work? Apparently, this new advancement would allow the DualSense to actually record where it is oriented in the space of a room. It would also collect certain data regarding player feedback. This includes telemetry data gathered while it is in active use. If a player holds the DualSense a certain way or applies a consistent amount of pressure when getting ready to game, the DualSense would record those minuscule inputs. The same goes for how the player moves the controller when getting ready to sign in. All of this data is collected and converted into something referred to in the patent as a "confidence score," which indicates how sure the system is that the person holding the controller is a specific user.

After gathering all of this telemetry data, the controller would create an internal profile that would be attached to that specific player's inputs. After the player has logged into their account, the information would be stored in the controller. Any time the controller is used after that, it would recognize the player and log into that specific PSN account. This would essentially eliminate the need for entering passwords or remembering login info when using the controller with a different device. Players can just tote their DualSense over to a buddy's house and the controller will take it from there. The patent also expresses Sony's belief that this method could actually protect the user's private data by doing away with the need to input a password.

This concept would presumably piggyback off of the same kind of technology that the DualSense is already working with. The controller is designed with enhanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. In other words, the controller responds to the slightest inputs from both the player and the game being played, using both to create a more realistic experience. These advancements will allow in-game moments to have a more noticeable tension and weight to them. In the same way, it seems that this patent would allow the controller to adapt and take other actions, extending this concept to the simple act of turning on the console and logging in.

If Sony does in fact pursue this patent, hopefully it doesn't take terribly long for the controller to build up to that confidence score. It would be pretty annoying to have the PlayStation 5 suddenly switch on every single time you picked up the controller, or to have your account accessed by someone simply because they held the controller similarly to you.

It's also worth pointing out that just because the patent exists, it doesn't mean that Sony will apply something like this to the DualSense in the immediate future, if at all. Remember, there have been plenty of bonkers patents that have popped up for the PlayStation 5 in recent months. Included among these patents was a concept for a little robot companion that could watch PS5 owners play games. That cute little robot could then offer feedback to the player and occasionally make comments as it learns about its owner's tastes.

Obviously, this latest patent isn't quite on the same level of weirdness as the little robot pal, but it's certainly an interesting concept. One has to wonder how this technology would be implemented in the DualSense this late in the production cycle. With the PS5 releasing in just a few months, it's assumed that the design of the DualSense is fully locked in.

Then again, there have been signs that Sony is planning to release new attachments for the DualSense at launch or soon after. Maybe this newest patent could still be utilized in a future peripheral. Whatever the case, this is another clear sign that Sony is all-in on creating seamless interactions between the player and the PlayStation 5.