Sony may be exploring tap‑to‑pay features for future PlayStation hardware, likely the PS6. A newly published patent describes a controller that can accept payments, gift cards, and other data transfers by tapping a phone or card directly onto the device.
The patent, first noticed by Dexerto, was published on September 17, 2026, but originally filed in March 2025. It outlines a “Video Game Controller‑Driven Information Transfer” system built around NFC, Bluetooth, or physical contact.
Diagrams included with the filing show several possible uses. One example depicts a player tapping a phone on the controller to buy a game. Another shows a gift card being swiped across the device to add funds, removing the need to manually enter long codes. When a phone is detected, the controller will emit lights, sound, or vibrations as confirmation, then forwards payment information to the console. The user receives a receipt confirmation via email/communication preferences to close off the transaction.
Sony also makes sure to detail the non‑payment features of the technology. The controller could transfer player IDs, help guests join multiplayer sessions, or send screenshots and recordings from the console to a phone. One scenario imagines a game demo at a store or expo. Then, after finishing the demo, a player could tap their phone on the controller to purchase the game and have it added to their library through the PlayStation mobile app.
Sony’s filing is credited to inventors Alex Song, Daniel Hiatt, Mayu Watanabe, and Chris Thielbar, and the broad intent behind the technology. The patent notes that its examples are not restrictive and that “exemplary” simply refers to illustrations rather than preferred designs. It then shifts to the practical motivation behind NFC‑enabled controllers, explaining that players often store payment information, gift card balances, and digital wallet credentials to streamline purchases and account management.
As with most patents, there is no guarantee this technology will reach consumers. The controller shown resembles a PS5 DualSense, but it is unlikely Sony would introduce NFC hardware so late in the console’s life cycle unless it is part of a future DualSense Edge revision. If the feature appears at all, it will most likely be integrated into the PlayStation 6.
Another recent patent we previously reported on describes adaptive buttons made from magneto‑viscoelastic elastomer that can soften or harden through magnetic fields or fluid‑filled membranes. This could make inputs easier for players who use elbows or palms while preventing accidental presses. The filing also details a “finger grab” effect, where the button softens to let your finger sink in and then hardens around it, forcing you to pull free.
This is the second Sony patent to surface recently with wild ideas using new and emerging technology. Another filing describes an AI implementation to use Sony's characters in personalized podcasts, or for 'official' AI vibe-coding to apply fixes and updates to your PlayStation devices, and another stands to insert a rewind functionality into as many of your games as possible with the press of a dedicated button. As Sony’s reputation is currently being strained by fans due to a lack of software support for canceled projects both internally and from fans, any controller capable of handling payment data as a feature is likely to raise eyebrows.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.thegamer.com/ps6-controller-patent-may-feature-tap-to-pay/
