Sony is exploring new ways to apply artificial intelligence and cloud services to consumer devices. A patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) describes an autonomous diagnostic and troubleshooting system that uses large language models (LLMs) to act as developers and support engineers.
Sony is exploring new ways to apply artificial intelligence and cloud services to consumer devices. A patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) describes an autonomous diagnostic and troubleshooting system that uses large language models (LLMs) to act as developers and support engineers.
The technology involves constant remote monitoring of the device using a cloud server. If the system detects a software failure, the process is automatically deployed, TechSpot reports .
The cloud server generates and sends a small diagnostic script to the device. Having received the data, the cloud "brain" selects the appropriate language model to solve the problem. The artificial intelligence writes a patch or firmware update on its own, and then sends it directly to the console or gadget. If it cannot fix the error on its own, it generates a request for a live engineer.
According to Sony's plan, the process takes place without the user's knowledge. The owner simply receives a working device, and the company receives an array of diagnostic data for further training its models.
In addition to PlayStation consoles, the patented concept also covers the brand's other consumer electronics: televisions, headphones, cameras, and smartphones.
Despite the potential convenience for users and reduced costs for technical support, this approach raises concerns among cybersecurity experts.
Generative models are prone to creating compromised or incorrect code. A firmware bug can completely turn a console into a “brick”. Continuous monitoring of processes in real time creates risks for the protection of users’ personal data. In addition, a centralized server with the right to automatically send generated code to millions of devices becomes a critically attractive target for hackers.
Sony's application has already received a preliminary rejection from the USPTO examiner. The company can amend the documentation and submit it for re-examination.
Filing a patent doesn't mean a feature will necessarily make it into production. Tech giants regularly file experimental ideas, most of which remain on paper.
