Sony tries to patent its Back Button attachment for the PlayStation 4

Sony has applied for a patent for its Back Button Attachment, the accessory for the DualShock 4 announced in 2019, which adds programmable buttons to the bottom of the controller. The filing, spotted by IGN, the device does not mention its existing name, but rather describes the product as an add-on with buttons that “can be linked to control buttons using preset button cards” and contains a number of diagrams showing how it works.

It is not immediately clear what the patent application means for Sony. The application, which has not yet been granted, was first filed in the summer of 2019 in the US before Sony filed it internationally in June last year. This does not indicate that this device may be compatible with the DualStation controller of the PlayStation 5, as the diagrams look like an older DualShock 4 device and do not describe any similar features to the gamepad of the new console or any of its unique features. not.

What is worth pointing out is that there is an increasing litigation pressure around the market for pro controllers that include programmable back pads. Just last week, Valve was fined $ 4 million for its Steam Controller design in a lawsuit by Scuf and Ironburg Invention, both subsidiaries of the peripheral maker of the game Corsair. Scuf also licenses its technology, which includes intellectual property and patents, to Microsoft from 2015 for the Xbox manufacturer’s Elite Manufacturer line, which includes programmable backscatter similar to the devices Scuf sells.

There is no indication that Sony’s actions, which are again in the US version of this patent application in early June 2019, are related to ongoing or previous lawsuits or licensing transactions. But it’s a smart idea for a company to patent its intellectual property in a competitive space, especially if they want to protect their product range and future releases.

The Back Button Attachment, announced in late 2019, is Sony’s inexpensive alternative to a proper pro controller. It only costs $ 30 and adds programmable buttons to the bottom of the DualShock 4 that allow you to re-map key features reserved for the X or O buttons, for example. Allows you to activate the accompanying actions in the game without removing your thumbs on the joystick. In a clever move, Sony opted for smooth grip-like buttons that do not drift off the controller, as opposed to the more popular swing paddle design, which means they are less likely to break off.

Image: Sony

Extra programmable buttons can provide a noticeable advantage when playing competitive games with high stakes. Prior to the Back Button attachment, PlayStation fans had to rely on third-party manufacturers for programmable back pads and other pro-control features such as customizable thumb sticks.

While some fans may have wanted PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller to come with removable back pads, Sony finally did not do so when the gamepad was launched last year and finally launched in November with the new console. And because of the shape of the device, the existing back button attachment does not work on it. Whether anyone’s seeing an upgraded version of the accessory for the DualSense is anyone’s guess, but it’s definitely going to be fun to have.

Correction: An earlier version of this story states that the patent application indicates that Sony is working on a version of the Back Button Attachment for the PS5’s DualSense controller. There’s no indication that this is true, and we’ve updated the story and its headline to reflect that and include new information about a lawsuit that Corsair won against Valve. We regret the mistake.