Sony's New Patent Aims to Reduce Gaming Latency with AI and Sensors

A recently filed Sony patent reveals a potential solution to reduce input latency in future gaming hardware. The patent, WO2025010132, titled "TIMED INPUT/ACTION RELEASE," utilizes an AI model and additional sensors to predict user inputs, thereby minimizing delays between command input and execution.

Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro introduced the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler. However, advancements like frame generation often introduce latency, impacting responsiveness. Competitors AMD and Nvidia have addressed this with Radeon Anti-Lag and Nvidia Reflex, respectively. Sony's patent suggests a similar approach.

As noted by Tech4gamers, the patent focuses on streamlining the "timed release of user commands." Sony acknowledges the inherent latency between user input and system processing, leading to delayed execution and potential in-game issues.

The proposed solution involves a machine-learning AI model that predicts upcoming user inputs. This prediction is aided by an external sensor, potentially a camera monitoring the controller to anticipate button presses. The patent explicitly mentions using "camera input as an input to a machine learning (ML) model." Alternatively, the sensor could be integrated into the controller itself, perhaps utilizing analog button technology.

While the exact implementation in a hypothetical PlayStation 6 remains uncertain, the patent demonstrates Sony's commitment to mitigating latency issues associated with advanced rendering techniques like FSR 3 and DLSS 3. These technologies, while enhancing visuals, often introduce additional latency.

The benefits of this technology would be particularly noticeable in fast-paced games requiring both high frame rates and low latency, such as twitch shooters. However, the future application of this patent in actual hardware remains to be seen.