Patent reveals touchscreen handheld device from Phil Harrison

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 28th 2008 at 2:32PM }

Panajev2001a from the NeoGAF forums has discovered a series of patents that point to a new handheld device from Sony. The patents, filed in January, refer to a "hand-held device with touchscreen and digital tactile pixels." The patent is assigned to Sony Computer Entertainment America, and the inventor is credited to be Phil Harrison, former head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios.

This patent could describe the next PSP (or PSP Phone). However, it could take years for anything to surface after a patent filing. Some patents (like this one) haven't seen the light of day. With a touch screen and motion sensing capabilities, whatever this new device is will be able to match the functionality of devices like the iPhone. Intriguing. Can't wait to find out more.

[Thanks, Noshino!]

Tags: patent, phil-harrison, psp, scea, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 28th 2008 2:51PM

I will immediately buy a cross between the PSP and IPhone with SD and memory stick slots.

rcm_rx7 @ Jun 29th 2008 3:59AM

As you probably know, Sony is going into the smartphone game with the Xperia X1, currently built by HTC, I wouldn't be suprised if this turns out to be another smartphone offering built by sony this time, maybe the Xperia X2? I wouldn't hold my breath for a PSP Phone, if anything it would be a smartphone with crippled gaming controls. If you think current PSP controls are bad...

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 29th 2008 7:57PM

Okay, I'll settle for a PSP with an additional Micro SD card slot and better browser like on the Iphone/Touch. : )

RockerAnimeFreak @ Jun 28th 2008 4:04PM

Late 09' PSPhone you heard it here 1st folks! ;)

strike @ Jun 28th 2008 4:40PM

A touch screen has always been a big no-no for me. I just hate it. My opinion.

Tristan @ Jun 28th 2008 4:43PM

Couldnt it just be a new Sony Camera?

Andrew Yoon @ Jun 28th 2008 5:10PM

SCEA wouldn't make any non-gaming electronics. That would be a different division of Sony.

Joe @ Jun 28th 2008 6:48PM

This would be cool I hope it is for the PSP2 plus the PSP2 will have a motion sensor like the PS3. Also I wounder if this is why there has been no news on the PStouch it was an app for the PSP version 1.00. It used the mini UMB slot on top of the PSP but nothing ever came out of it.

Joe @ Jun 28th 2008 7:09PM

Andrew why did you also not add the other part that motion sensors could be in the PSP2?

Wayne @ Jun 28th 2008 7:23PM

Let's face it. The PSP has NO NEWS...

Andrew @ Jun 28th 2008 10:05PM

I LUV THIS IDEA CANT WAIT FOR IT 2 BE CONFIRMED.

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 29th 2008 2:43AM

If there cannot be a PSP Phone, I would then like a PSP with an SD Micro slot as well as Memory Stick Pro Duo, some of their laptops are now having SD card slots so there's hope.

I'd also like a better web browser like on the IPhone or Touch.

Cannot wait for the PSP2.

strike @ Jun 29th 2008 6:22AM

You can get pro duo sized cards, which are actually adapters for SD cards, which can then be used in the psp. Dont have one myself, but it should work.

DelSource @ Jun 29th 2008 11:35AM

This is rubbish.

Firstly, 90% of the stuff posted on NeoGAF is childish bull$hit made up by 15yo fanboys pr1cks (which is why I no longer visit the place and usually disregard any post quoting it).

Secondly, there is no way Harrison would be responsible for new hardware. All that stuff is done by SCEI. Do you really think the STUDIO boss would be the one designing the next gen of Sony handheld - and one which crosses two corporate divisions at that (gaming and mobile telephony)? Think about it people.......

Noshino @ Jun 30th 2008 3:12AM

1) If you go to NeoGAF frequently you would know that the person that posted this is actually reliable, and just like these sites, not all the people are pricks

2) This is NOT made up, the patent has already been filled on Jan 08 when Harrison was still working for Sony

3) Have you realized that this is the United States Patent and Trademark Office? Isn't SCEA the SCEI offices in the US?...don't you think it makes perfect sense to fill them as such?...

As far as Harrison being the creator, I don't think it was him, but he could have filled them for someone else, who knows, the thing is, this patent is legal