Sony's PlayStation Move controller may get a touch-sensitive surface, according to a patent that recently surfaced at the US Patent Office's web site. The patent, entitled "Flat Joystick Controller," describes a controller not very similar to the currently availabe PlayStation Move handheld, and includes a touch surface on one side of the handle. The touch surface provides an area for receiving directionality control in response to interfacing by a finger of a user. The controller also features many buttons on its body and of course, a circuitry configured to receive data indicative of a directionality control and transmit the data to a game console for impacting an action by a program executing on the computer gaming system.

Sony says the new controller "enables control for a variety of applications and simulations while providing an intuitive interface," allowing gamers to better control in-game characters and select elements without having to alter their grip.

Sony filed the patent in June 4, 2012 and it appeared on USPTO's web site December 5, 2013.