A recent Sony patent described a fascinating new function for prescription lenses, which may allude to the company's ongoing research into a brand-new VR headset. The PlayStation VR2, Sony's current generation VR headset, does not presently support the hardware needed for this capability.

Following its 22nd February, 2023, release, sales of the PlayStation VR2 declined, which prompted many to speculate that Sony was going to reduce its VR development efforts. Many blame the $549.99 launch price of the VR headgear and the dearth of excellent first-party and third-party games for the device's poor sales. A Bloomberg story from March 2024 stated that Sony was stopping the PlayStation VR2's manufacture, over a year after the VR headset's release. Because of the lack of player interest, Sony was forced to hold onto a large quantity of unsold PlayStation VR2 stock. 

Sony has reportedly conducted research on a system that can identify prescription lenses applied to a new virtual reality headset, according to a new patent application. This patent was submitted back on 4th March, 2023, and it became available to the public on 5th September, 2024, a year and a half later. The primary objective of this system, as indicated in the patent, is to lessen the bulk and total weight associated with using a VR headset such as the PlayStation VR2 in addition to vision correction eyeglasses. Rather than wearing traditional eyeglasses, users can put prescription lenses into the sockets in the head-mounted device (HMD) in an effort to boost comfort and convenience. 

It's important to note that the headset pictured in the patent is not a PlayStation VR2 headset because Sony's current VR headset lacks a prescription lens replaceable connection. The patent may be detailing a feature for a completely new version of the PlayStation VR2, which would allow it to build on its recent success. Alternatively, the patent may be referring to a next-generation VR headset that Sony is actively researching and developing.

The patent gives fans hope that Sony is still working on and trying to innovate in the VR space, even in spite of the PlayStation VR2's lackluster first year of sales. Although the features and hardware depicted in patents are not guaranteed to materialize, this may indicate that PlayStation enthusiasts may soon have other VR devices to look forward to.