Sony has outlined a PlayStation controller concept that could act as a contactless information-transfer point for payments and other account actions. The patent application describes users placing a bank card, gift card or smartphone near the controller, which would pass the information to the console for verification through a server before a transaction is completed.
The filing, titled “Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer,” was initially filed on March 17, 2025 and published on September 17, 2026 as US20260273403A1. Alex Song and Daniel Hiatt are listed among its inventors.
In one proposed flow, the console would display a payment request while the controller receives the user’s information. The application describes several possible ways that transfer could work:
- NFC for tap-style transfers from a compatible card or phone.
- Bluetooth communication, potentially from a distance of up to about 30 cm.
- An integrated image sensor that could scan a QR code displayed on a smartphone.
The controller could provide connection feedback through LEDs, vibration or audio cues. Sony’s examples cover purchases of games, in-app content, physical products, food deliveries, and credits for tournaments or arcades. The system could also be used at retail or convention demo stations, allowing someone to buy a game immediately after trying it.
Beyond transactions, the same controller-to-device transfer system could support several PlayStation account and sharing actions:
- Transferring a PlayStation profile.
- Joining multiplayer sessions.
- Sending screenshots and video clips to a smartphone.
The application does not establish that Sony will bring the feature to market, and payment handling would require security considerations beyond those described in a patent filing. Sony has not confirmed a controller with this capability, nor has it linked the technology to a future PlayStation console such as the PS6.
