Sony patent filing indicates possible biometric parental controls for PlayStation 5

Sony has filed a patent which may indicate plans to introduce biometric authentication to PlayStation 5 controllers as part of a parental control system, SegmentNext reports.

According to the patent application, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and several other international patent authorities, parental controls for the console could be based on communications with a controller, such as the DualShock 5 controllers for the forthcoming PS5, or possibly a device external to the system. The authentication would unlock the controller.

In addition to a fingerprint, another biometric modality could be used by the controller, such as a “fundus oculi” (interior eye) pattern, or a palm vein pattern. The template storage and matching would take place on the controller, and the result transmitted to the console, possibly by a radio transmission method such as Bluetooth.

Restricting information access to those of a certain age or to family members is the purpose of the authentication system, according to the application.

Sony first introduced biometrics to its PlayStation console line with a specialized camera for the PS4.

Tencent began trialing a facial recognition system to reduce video game addiction in minors last year.

Article Topics

access control  |  authentication  |  biometrics  |  patents  |  Sony