Sony Interactive Interactive has filed a patent for a PlayStation modular controller with a detachable touchscreen.
File on July 16, 2026, the patent describes a number of other features including a rotating navigation dial, magnetic modular components, and built-in support for notifications and quick console controls. As for the touchscreen itself, the patent notes that it’s able to show menus, settings, messages and notifications, while players can scroll through these menus using the rotating dial without having to take your eyes off whatever game they’re playing.
Furthermore, the patent reveals that the dial and screen can be moved to a different spot on the controller and are magnetically attached to the device. Much like a smartphone touchscreen, the one featured in the patent can be tapped and may also be physically clickable. The rotating dial is located on the opposite side of the touchscreen.
Here’s a blurb from the patent under the heading “Summary of the Invention”
Game controllers have been used to control a variety of computing devices from computers to game consoles. Portable computing devices typically have had limited options for joystick type game controller inputs. Joysticks generally include a stick that pivots on a base. A mechanism in the base reports an angle or direction to the device it is controlling. In some implementations, the mechanism also reports a magnitude. Thumbsticks represent another option for controller input. Similar to joysticks, they pivot on a base and report an angle or direction (and sometimes a magnitude) to the device being controlled.
Unlike a joystick, the thumbstick includes a small protrusion that the user moves with their thumb instead of a stick that the user grasps. Various set of buttons and triggers are commonly implemented in video game controllers for additional navigation and interaction with gaming application. Users may have varying preferences for what type of components they would like to use and where they would like the components situated on their video game controller.
Keep in mind that Sony has filed numerous patents over the years for various devices, but they are never a guarantee of the device actually coming to fruition. The obvious speculation here is that this latest patent is for a controller that will be used with the PS6, but we’ll just have to see what happens down the line.
Last month it was revealed that Sony had filed a patent earlier this year that described a controller that is able to make its buttons become harder or softer depending on what is happening on-screen.
[Source – MP1st]