PlayStation files two patents, including one to turn a controller into a payment terminal
, by Thibaut
The biggest players in the video game industry are constantly working on innovations aimed at improving the quality of the experiences they offer… or at raking in more profits.
A patent recently filed by Sony reveals a system that allows users to pay directly using their controller. This purchase could be made from a smartphone. To do so, users would simply need to hold the controller close to the phone to complete the transaction. The purchase of a game, DLC, or any other content would then be recorded on the console. The controller would be used to transfer payment information to the console. This method would be convenient for players who do not have a credit card or another payment method registered on their PlayStation.
Finally, the second patent concerns an automated AI solution capable of identifying console issues to develop a software patch that would then be installed directly. There would be no need to contact Sony support or perform repairs yourself. The company would like to roll out this system across all its devices (TVs, smartphones, headphones, etc.). However, this would require constant cloud connectivity, which raises security concerns. An error by the AI agent during the repair could also render a product completely inoperable. So, this is a major challenge!
As always, it’s important to remember that a patent doesn’t necessarily lead to anything concrete.
Source: patentlyze.com