Decidedly retro: Sony patents a strange-looking multifunctional game controller ahead of PlayStation 5 release

We may have already been given a glimpse of the DualShock 5 controller that will accompany the PlayStation 5, but a patent spotted by LetsGoDigital suggests that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) may have a secondary input planned for one of its upcoming consoles. Filed on July 24, 2019 by SIE and published on November 28, 2019 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the patent describes an 'information output system and method', although LetsGoDigital has taken this to mean a multifunctional controller.

The rectangular shape of the patented device reminds us of an original NES controller, as does the placement of its D-pad. The device has four buttons on its face though, along with an interactive screen and two shoulder buttons. It also incorporates an accelerometer, Bluetooth, and a gyroscope. Furthermore, LetsGoDigital reports that the patented design includes a fingerprint scanner and a heart rate monitor, while its display contains options for listening to music, checking emails and playing a game with a friend. We imagine that these are placeholders, though.

LetsGoDigital opines that the short lead time for the patent's approval suggests that SIE is currently developing a device incorporating the technologies on display here. While it would seem unlikely that the PlayStation 5 would come with a controller that looks like the concept render which LetsGoDigital has created, could some of the technologies on display here could make their way into the DualShock 5? Regardless, we wonder what SIE plans to use a heart rate monitor and a fingerprint scanner for in a game controller.