Sony has recently filed a new patent, WO2025010132, titled "TIMED INPUT/ACTION RELEASE," which aims to reduce latency in future gaming hardware. This innovative approach involves using an AI model combined with additional sensors to predict and streamline user inputs. The introduction of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) with the PlayStation 5 Pro has already showcased Sony's commitment to enhancing visual quality by upscaling to 4K. However, the integration of newer graphics technologies like frame generation can introduce additional latency, potentially affecting the responsiveness of games.

To address this issue, GPU manufacturers AMD and Nvidia have developed solutions such as Radeon Anti-Lag and Nvidia Reflex. Now, Sony is exploring its own method to minimize latency. The patent details a system that predicts the next button press using a machine-learning AI model, complemented by external sensors. For instance, a camera could be used to monitor the controller, providing input to the AI model to anticipate the user's next command. The patent suggests that "the camera input may indicate the first user command," highlighting the potential for real-time input prediction.

Sony's rationale for this technology is clear: "there can be latency between the user's input action and the system's subsequent processing and execution of the command. This in turn results in delayed execution of the command and unintended consequences in the game itself." By predicting user inputs, Sony aims to reduce this latency, ensuring a more responsive gaming experience.

The patent also explores the use of sensors within the controller itself, such as analog buttons, which Sony has championed in the past. This could be a feature in next-generation controllers, further enhancing the precision and responsiveness of gameplay.

While the exact implementation of this technology in future consoles like the PlayStation 6 remains uncertain, the patent demonstrates Sony's dedication to improving gaming performance. This is particularly relevant with the rise of rendering technologies like FSR 3 and DLSS 3, which can add frame latency. Reducing latency is crucial for genres like twitch shooters, where high framerates and low latency are essential for competitive play. Whether this patent will translate into tangible hardware improvements is yet to be seen, but it certainly signals Sony's ongoing efforts to enhance the gaming experience.