November 16, 2018 Update: The latest PlayStation 5 reports and rumors hint at a 2019 reveal and 2020 release date. Details here.

A new patent published by Sony for a virtual reality controller could provide a hint at what players can expect with the company's PlayStation 5 and its VR technology. Although the PlayStation 5 is still probably several years away from release, it seems Sony is busy with making preparations for its next generation console.

As it stands, Sony is still reaping much success from its current generation console, the PlayStation 4. When that console launched in 2013, it sold 1 million units in North America in just 24 hours. Although the console is now five years old, it is still very viable for the company and continues to break sales records. During the first quarter of 2018, Sony reported that total PS4 sales were at 82.2 million units since launch, which puts it well ahead of its predecessor, the PS3. With that kind of success, it makes sense that Sony is not rushing to get its next generation console out the door anytime soon.

Related: No PlayStation 5 Announcement at E3 2018 Confirms Sony

However, that doesn't mean the company isn't preparing for the future. According to Free Patents Online, Sony has published a patent for a new VR controller called "CONTROLLER HAVING LIGHTS DISPOSTED ALONG A LOOP OF THE CONTROLLER," presumably for the PS5. The controller design resembles the previous PS move, but its features seem more in line with something that would work with VR.

The rumor mill is busy with speculation about the PS5 and what it will feature, including highly impressive specs. Those rumors also suggest that the new console will offer "VR Goodies," which is in line with the company's new patent application for a new controller, allowing the system to integrate with PlayStation VR easily. There is also code hidden within Unreal Engine 4 also mentioned something called "Erebus," which many gamers believe is a reference to the codename for the new console. This, too, is in line with previous Sony offerings: the company often uses names from Greek mythology in reference to its projects.

Although the PlayStation 5 is real, Sony recently confirmed that it is at least three years away from a release date for the new console. With sales for the PS4 still climbing, there is no rush to get the next system out the door, giving the company time to continue to develop new technology for the next generation of gaming. This is a win-win for players, many who have invested a lot of time and money into their PS4 units but want the next generation to be something that will blow their minds with new features.

More: PlayStation 5 Progress Update From Likely Chip Manufacturer

Source: Free Patents Online