***UPDATE***

A second Sony PS5 patent, discovered by LetsGoDigital, has given us another potential peek at the design of the console's next-gen controller - the DualShock 5. The patent, filed with the USPTO by Sony last Summer (but only now made available for public viewing), reveals a controller that looks eerily similar to the previous DualShock 5 sketches that surfaced online a few months ago, apart from a few changes.

(Image credit: USPTO)

(Image credit: USPTO)

For one thing, the device now sports two fancy back paddles tucked behind its left and right grip holders; which is no surprise for those who've been paying attention to Sony's recent announcement of the DualShock 4 Back Button attachment, which adds two similar, customizable paddles to the game pad currently used with the PS4.

In addition, the PlayStation Home button, used primarily to turn the PS4 off or on, or navigate back to the console's home screen, is nowhere to be seen, suggesting Sony is considering removing it entirely in favour of a cleaner design. Indeed, with those two extra back paddles, the need for that extra front-facing button suddenly makes less sense.

Even so, the images from this latest patent are by no means a guaranteed preview of the final product, so it's possible that we haven't seen the last of the Share button yet. For more info, see our original story below on the previously leaked DualShock 5 patent from last year, or hear about how the upcoming controller could pivot heavily towards local multiplayer gaming (as seen in the following image).

(Image credit: US Patent and Trademark Office)

Original story as follows:

A new patent from Sony Interactive appears to have leaked images of the PS5 controller a year ahead of the next-gen PlayStation console's official launch in Holiday 2020.

The design sketches - as first spotted by VGC - were published on the Japanese Patent Office today, and while no official mention of the DualShock 5 is made, the images corroborate with everything we've heard about the upcoming accessory until now.

(Image credit: JPO)

Read more (Image credit: Insomniac) PS5 specs – what's inside the next-generation PlayStation console?

If this patent is to be taken at face value, the PS5 controller will remove the DualShock 4's light bar while modifying the size of the triggers and sticks and adding what appears to be a USB port where the headphone jack currently is situated for PS4 players.

A comparative breakdown on ResetEra, which includes all of the leaked images, reveals that that DualShock 5 also seems to feature an in-built microphone which wraps around the controller's underbelly. Could this be part of Sony's pivot towards more robust streaming infrastructure on the PS5?

Of course, it's also possible that Sony is developing a new DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4, similar to Microsoft's Elite Controller on the Xbox One, but the idea of releasing it this close to the next-generation seems implausible. That said, while images of the PS5 devkit have leaked online, none so far have included its accompanying controller, so it's hard to verify why Sony have filed this particular patent.

In other PS5 news, rumours of Horizon Zero Dawn 2 have heightened of late, with a new job listing for a sequel to the action RPG, suggesting it could be in the works as a PS5 launch game for next year. Here's everything we know about the potential PS5 price.

For more, check out more upcoming PS4 games for 2020 and beyond, or watch our latest episode of Dialogue Options below.