Sony Files Patent Application For PS5 Controller That Stores And Charges Earbuds

Sony's DualSense controller for PlayStation 5 already features a touchpad, adaptive triggers, a gyroscope, and a built-in speaker and microphone. If a recently filed Sony patent application is any indication, a new feature could soon be added to that list--the ability to store and charge earbuds within the DualSense itself.

First spotted by Gamerant, the patent application was published on October 12 and includes diagrams of what the next generation of DualSense controller may look like. Images show slots for housing earbuds on the back of the controller behind the DualSense touchpad or on each side of the controller's handles. That being said, the document notes that the "pair of slots" is "not restricted to be defined on the back side of the controller but can also be defined on other surfaces of the controller, including the front side, any one or both the lateral surfaces, the top surface, or the bottom surface."

The document states that as "portability and gaming anywhere becomes more and more mainstream and important, the audio experience also becomes equally important." The goal of this new controller then, according to the document, is to simplify the process of pairing a separate audio device while allowing for more efficient management of the battery life of multiple devices, and create a convenient space where the earbuds can easily be stored without fear of being lost.

"The controller is designed to act both as an input device and as a headphone storage, charging, and connection case," the document reads. "Using the controller as a headphone case and an earbud charger eliminates the need to manage two separate devices. This simplifies the overall user experience as the user has one less device to manage communication with the gaming device."

Additionally, the controller and earbuds being together will allow for "greater opportunity for the earbuds and the controller to work together." The document notes how the DualSense controller's built-in microphone and speaker could be used with the earbuds to "triangulate the audio source so that the audio can be processed to provide better audio quality."

Just because Sony has filed a patent application for this new earbud-focused version of the DualSense controller doesn't necessarily mean it will become a reality. However, Sony did recently announce a new pair of gaming-focused earbuds, the $200 Pulse Explore, alongside the announcement of new wireless tech called PlayStation Link that will allow for lossless audio and low-latency performance.

Additionally, Sony is releasing the PlayStation Portal, a tablet-like device that is paired with a PS5 to play games remotely. The goal of PlayStation Link, according to a Sony blog post, is to allow players the ability to bounce between devices like the PS5 and PS Portal seamlessly, with paired audio devices coming along for the ride without the need to re-pair them. Given the patent's focus on the importance of "gaming anywhere" and "portability," it would certainly make sense for Sony to release a new controller that could work in better conjunction with some of its newly announced devices, but no official announcements about a new DualSense controller have been made.