Sony is exploring a new way for PlayStation users to make purchases, with a newly published patent describing a controller capable of receiving payment information from nearby devices. The proposed system could allow players to bring a credit card, phone, or gift card close to the controller instead of manually entering payment details on the console.
The patent, titled “Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer,” was filed in March 2025 and published by the US Patent and Trademark Office on September 17, 2026. The filing describes several possible communication methods, including NFC and Bluetooth, for transferring information between the controller and another device.
Sony’s Controller Could Handle Contactless Payments
According to the patent, the process could begin when a PlayStation console requests payment information for a purchase. The controller could then detect a nearby device and establish communication with it.
The filing describes a scenario where the player brings a phone close to the controller. After detecting the device, the controller could receive payment information and transmit it to the connected console. The patent also describes physical contact between the controller and another device as one possible way of triggering the transfer.
The technology could potentially be used for purchasing games, in-game currency, and add-on content. Sony also describes a situation in which players could try a game demo at a store or gaming event and then purchase the full game using a quick payment interaction with the controller.
The proposed system isn’t limited to smartphones. The patent specifically describes receiving payment information from a credit card or gift card placed near the controller.
A separate example illustrates how a physical gift card could be recognized and its balance displayed through the console. This could potentially provide another way for physical retailers to sell PlayStation content without requiring a traditional game disc.
The concept fits into Sony’s broader experimentation with future PlayStation hardware. The company has previously patented controllers featuring customizable touchscreen layouts and buttons capable of changing their resistance depending on gameplay.
However, players should not expect this feature to arrive on the current DualSense controller. Like other patent filings, Sony’s payment technology represents an idea the company is exploring, not a confirmed consumer product.
