Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a patent application for a new PlayStation controller that could enable contactless payments. The patent, submitted on March 17, 2025, and made public by the American Patent Office on September 17, 2026, describes a system where a player could place a credit card, smartphone, or gift card near the controller to complete a purchase. The controller would then collect the payment details and send them to the console, which would check the transaction with a server. The system would use technologies like NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth to connect the controller with the payment method. This could allow users to buy games, in-game items, extra content, merchandise, and even order food. The patent also discusses the use of physical gift cards bought from stores, with a diagram showing how the balance on such a card could be displayed on the screen. The controller would serve as a middleman, passing the payment information to the console rather than handling it directly. However, the patent does not provide details on security measures, encryption methods, or any partnerships with banks. The idea has sparked online discussions, with one post on the X account "internet hall of fame" gaining over 882,700 views. Many users see it as another example of Sony's efforts to increase revenue through its PlayStation platform. Sony has previously explored other features, such as showing ads during loading screens, and has experimented with innovations like controllers that change button resistance during gameplay or a touchscreen for customizing control setups. Sony has not officially announced a new controller based on this patent, and as with all patents, there is no certainty that the technology will be used in a future product. The patent application is titled Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer, and it outlines situations where a player could buy a game after trying a demo in a store or at an event by simply holding their payment method near the controller. The patent also suggests the technology could be used for other functions, like transferring player IDs, adding guests to multiplayer games, or sending screenshots to a smartphone.