PlayStation Patent Reveals Sony Looking Into Modular Controller With Touchscren Interface
When the DualSense Edge debuted in 2023, it marked a milestone for Sony, as this is the first pro controller that was officially released for any PlayStation console.
Now, a new finding seems to indicate Sony is working on another kind of controller, and this one is a lot more ambitious in design.
Based on what’s filed, this controller is dropping the PS5 DualSense’s touchpad for something much grander, and it’s a touchscreen.
PlayStation Modular Controller Patented by Sony
The patent filing, with document ID “20260199776 A1,” which was published on July 16, 2026, mentions a modular video game controller.
Sony has also included a sketch of the patent, and it’s available below.
Abstract Definition
A video game system includes a controller for a video game system that includes a controller body, a processor included in the controller body, and a user input device communicatively coupled with the processor and attached to one or more locations on the controller body. The user input device includes a graphical user interface configured to present selectable icons to control or navigate features of the video game system and a rotating member that rotates relative to an axis that intersects the controller body such that at least one or more of the selectable icons is selected or one or more of the features is controlled or navigated.
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.
Some of the key features of this modular controller include: a detachable touchscreen, a rotating navigation dial, magnetic modular components, and a built-in support for notifications and quick console controls.
The touchscreen is mentioned as something that can show menus, settings, messages and notifications, while the rotating dial lets players scroll through those menus without taking your eyes off the game. Important to note, the patent mentions the dial and screen can be moved to different spots on the controller, and these attach magnetically.
The small touchscreen is said to display icons for console functions, it can be tapped like a smartphone touchscreen, and the screen itself may also be physically clickable.
As for the rotating dial, it’s located on the opposite side of the touchscreen, rotating it scrolls through menus and settings, and pressing it can confirm selection.
The patent also suggests the display can display phone calls, messages and other alerts, and if the player interacts with these notifications, the game could automatically pause while the player is in the process of dealing with it.
Like all patents, this does not confirm a product is being made. Companies frequently patent ideas they never release. It simply shows that the company is exploring a controller concept with.
Is this a future PS5 controller or perhaps something Sony is cooking up for the rumored portable PS6? More importantly, would you be interested in a controller like this? Leave a comment and let us know.
In other PlayStation news, the Summer Sale promotion is live on the PSN Store, and we have the entire list of discounted games sorted in alphabetical order.
Stay connected to MP1st and the latest news by following us on Bluesky, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Google News.
