PS6 Controller May Enable Contactless Payments via NFC

The PlayStation 6's controller might be able to take contactless payments, according to a new patent filed by Sony. The patent, titled "VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER-DRIVEN INFORMATION TRANSFER," outlines a technique for a video game controller to detect the presence of an electronic device, such as a phone or bank card, using Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol.

According to the patent, the video game controller can detect the electronic device by detecting a signal emitted from it, using a communication protocol such as NFC or Bluetooth. Once detected, the controller would vibrate to indicate that the details had been detected.

The patent also suggests that this feature could be used to log guests into a PlayStation console when playing a local multiplayer game while they're visiting.

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The patent was originally found by Patentlyze and can be found on public listings under the application number 19082121. It is unclear when this feature might be implemented. However, it is likely to be reserved for the PlayStation 6 and its controller, given the current architecture of the DualSense controller.

In a statement, Sony said, "Techniques disclosed herein improve video game consoles and video game console performance by utilizing video game controller-driven information transfer operations."

While this feature seems like a convenient addition, it raises questions about the security and privacy implications of using NFC technology in gaming consoles. The patent does not mention actual bank cards, but it does mention "electronic devices," which could allude to a phone.

The patent highlights the importance of preventing the console itself from overworking itself. As facilitating and coordinating these operations by performing multiple operational steps using multiple devices often causes performance of the video game console to suffer and/or one or more operations of the video game console to fail.

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Further details on the potential implementation and implications of this feature are scarce. However, it is clear that Sony is exploring new ways to improve the gaming experience.

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Evidence, specific figures, and verified quotes from the patent are limited, but they suggest that Sony is serious about implementing this feature.

The patent was filed in 2017, and it is unclear when it might be implemented.