Sony Patents Touchscreen PlayStation Controller With Custom Layout

Sony Interactive Entertainment has been granted a U.S. patent for a PlayStation controller that replaces traditional physical buttons with a touchscreen interface, allowing players to customize where controls appear. The patent, first reported by VGC, was filed in February 2023 and issued last week under grant number 12533573.

The filing describes “designs and methods for a game controller” intended to address comfort and accessibility limitations in standard gamepads. Sony argues that conventional controllers rely on fixed layouts that may be “too small, or too large,” or uncomfortable for some users, particularly those with different hand sizes or accessibility needs.

According to the patent text and illustrations, the controller would feature a large touchscreen covering most of its upper surface. Players could reposition the D-pad, analog sticks, and action buttons, resize individual inputs, or remove certain buttons altogether, depending on the game.

In simple titles, this could mean using a single large virtual button, while more complex games could support denser layouts.

Sony’s Patent Focuses on Flexible Input and Accessibility

“Often [conventional] controllers adhere to a similar control interface,” the patent states, adding that a fixed configuration limits comfort and adaptability. To address this, Sony’s design relies on adaptive input surfaces rather than permanent physical controls.

The patent also references pressure and heat sensors designed to “detect condition of the input surface.” This could help distinguish between a thumb resting on the controller and an intentional press, an issue seen in earlier touch-based controllers such as the Turbo Touch 360 from the 1990s.

While some examples show a controller without physical buttons, the patent reportedly does not mandate a fully screen-based design. Visual displays are described as optional, meaning the technology could also be applied to controllers that retain physical inputs.

As with most patent filings, there is no confirmation that the design will become a commercial product. Sony receives thousands of patents annually, many of which are never commercialized, but the filing aligns with the company’s broader push toward more accessible PlayStation hardware.