It looks like Sony may be taking cues from Nintendo, as the PlayStation manufacturer has filed a patent for what looks like a new Switch-inspired handheld device.

<em>Sony patent image, courtesy of <a href="http://blog.esuteru.com/archives/20009529.html" target="_blank">blog.esuteru.com</a></em>

As spotted by NeoGAF user ponpo, the patent was filed back in 2015 but was only just recently published. While the controller pieces on the side look as though they may be detachable, they aren't explicitly shown as being removable from the device.

Like Nintendo Switch, the device looks very much like a tablet with two controller halves on either side, but instead of Joy-Cons flanking the screen, the half-controllers on either side of the device look like the handles on a DualShock 4.

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It's important to note that not all patents end up becoming products. Last year, Sony filed multiple patents for a glove controller that the company has yet to announce or discuss in any official capacity.

Alex Osborn is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his YouTube channel.