I seldom write about other companies’ patents, but the following Sony patent (US20250208790), published in June, caught my eyes.
Basically SIE wants to put a neural processor (NPU) in the storage device (img 1), so the system gets AI generated assets directly from SSD without using CPU/GPU (img 2). Examples given include background images, NPC dialogs, 3D models, and more.
First of all, eww. Secondly, this not only will increase the SSD price, but kill off all 3rd party storages for PS6/7 if it’s required.
What’s really weird is how broad and vague the patent application is. Unlike the misinformation peddled by Games Fray, GamesIndustry.biz, and the like, patents don’t give “ownership” over generic mechanics or abstract concept. They need to be detailed and specific, but this patent application is neither. I’m unsure that it’d be granted without substantial revisions.
That said, the Trump appointed USPTO Director Squires has stated on record that he’s pro AI and crypto (and hostile to “foreign adversaries”, i.e. Chinese companies). So who know? This AI embedded SSD patent, despite its evident deficiency, just might be granted.
[Originally posted on 2025-12-27 Pacific Time]
