Sony has been filing patents in recent months for its PlayStation 5 hardware and software. These all hint at what the company has in store to improve its services and technology in the future. Some of the recent patents Sony filed include a multi-GPU system for cloud gaming, which aims to enhance the graphical capabilties when playing cloud games on its PlayStation systems. The latest patents filed by Sony are also for the PlayStation console, revolving around the PS5 and its faceplates.
While the PS5 has been a success since it launched last year, there are some fans who aren't the biggest fans of the console's design. The sleek white has been the default color for it since it launched, with no additional colors or official custom faceplates available ever since. With Sony not providing official alternatives to what can be placed on the console, others have launched their own PS5 faceplate manufacturers with additional colors and designs. These have usually ended with Sony threatening legal action to shut these manufacturers down.
After a year of Sony threatening legal action against these tech manufacturers, a new patent document from the company was published on the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent describes an "ornamental design for a cover for an electronic device" along with images of the PS5 and the covers it has from many different angles. Some are speculating that this patent is to prevent other third-party companies from producing custom faceplates.
While third-parties can no longer manufacture PS5 faceplates, there's some who are speculating that this patent is intended for a different reason. The main theory that is floated by fans currently is that Sony could be considering its own swappable faceplates. This can result in faceplates themed after some of its games. This is once again speculation, and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Currently it is unclear if Sony will use this patent to manufacture its own PS5 faceplates, or if it will attempt to continue obstructing other companies from producing its own. Some of these third-parties, notably dbrand, have been adamant in producing their own, even defiantly responding to the cease and desist takedowns that have been sent to them during production. Either way, fans who want to customize their PlayStation 5 may have an easier or harder time depending on how this patent is used.
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (via PlayStation Lifestyle)