TheSixthAxis posted a rather interesting article claiming that “word off the record that the PS3 should, at some point, get background downloading for game patches.”
So as it currently stands every time a patch for a game is released, you need to sit and wait for the new version to download before you can play online. So what the site is claiming is this patch would enable your console automatically download the latest patches in the background whilst you play another game. I do not see how it would be possible for you to play the actual game that is being patched, so I am sure that if this is the case, it will indeed need to be a different game.
The site also firmly reiterates that this is not official news from Sony and that this is very much a rumour at this stage. We will watch for any development regarding the matter… It would be awesome though.