Sony applies for "tactile pixel" haptic touchscreen patent

It's never clear how a company plans on implementing a given patent, but Sony's patent application for a haptic touchscreen composed of "tactile pixels" lists former Sony Computer Entertainment chief Phil Harrison as the inventor and makes several references to potential use in "a game device" and to "game events," so it's a safe bet that it was at least developed with the PSP in mind. The patent app describes a sophisticated haptic feedback system that goes well beyond the basic rumble of today's device -- the pixels themselves are able to move up and down between two positions, providing direct feedback to user actions. That's certainly an interesting idea, but like all patent news, we're not going to hold out hope for it to surface in a consumer device anytime soon -- but we're willing to be surprised, you know?

[Via PSP Fanboy]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:06PM]

This sounds absolutely incredible... Can't wait until this is on my phone! :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:08PM]

dude your not gonna know what hit you.

[flashpoint Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:10PM]

On the list of PSP improvements, I'd perfer to see a rumble pack and a second analog stick.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:10PM]

WELL APPLE IS BETTER THAN SONY CAUSE APPLE HAS THE IPHONE PWNAGE!!!!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:14PM]

New Imitation Clak!!
Twice as annoying as the original :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:48PM]

Ahahaha, good old Clak.

[Richard Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:11PM]

No quote of the day? ;)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 11:12PM]

Someone fill me in on this clak thing.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 1st 2008 4:36AM]

@Slawek: Clak is just a guy that likes Apple and posts here often, normally about Apple merchandise. Nothing too irregular, but he's pretty well known for attracting haters and sometimes is one himself. It's just how it seems to go around here.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:34PM]

This is what I thought that Samsung touchscreen phone was going to have when they said it had the touchback kind of response. I actually found out differently today when I tried it for the first time, so that's kind of weird that they came out with this today.

[derX Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:35PM]

Hello. You've been hit and you do not know me.


Engadget, are we gonna flame Gavin?

[Ignatius Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:01PM]

KILL IT WITH FIRE.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:05PM]

Interesting concept, but I wont hold my breath. Many of these "patents" game companies, software companies, or hardware vendors come out with fizzle. But you never know, I read about that gentlemen who is suing all the major manufacturers for his "touch screen" patent. Go Figure. Greed is the hypocrisy of America. It seems many are fighting over who did what, concerning touchscreens. Seems to be all as a result of the iPhone popularity surge. Damn u APPLE!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:05PM]

This type of technology could be possible through the use of electro-responsive polymer materials. There is a handful of startups and universities looking into this technology, but commercialization is probably a good 5-6 years away (at least)... Nonetheless, cool stuff with lots of potential killer apps!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:09PM]

About 3 years ago i sent this exact same idea to Apple regarding a phone and how they could have a touchscreen and still have the ability to have the pixel raise and create a small bump or indent on the surface so an individual could "feel" the screen and interact with it better. I actually related it to dialpads and not games though... Oh well, i guess SONY got there first. At least my idea didn't go to waste.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:16PM]

I think it did. You could've patented it yourself and then sold it to Sony... lol

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:17PM]

good idea in using it for dial pads and stuff like that. would be pretty cool if when the iPhone keyboard pops up, a few pixels raise over each letter.

[Hung Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:48PM]

Oh hai guise, is there where I sign up to spam people's email box?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 11:03PM]

YES!!
best phone ever coming.
*maybe* it'll "borrow" a bit from Mylo, at least that's my guess
im definitely waiting it out (and suffering through hell with a razr) to get this, ... if it pans out

[iofthestorm Posted Jul 1st 2008 1:17AM]

I hope this tech or something similar is in the next DS, even if Nintendo has to license it from Sony, although they can probably figure out a way to get around the patent by doing something slightly different.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 1st 2008 8:53AM]

It's an idea we are human I was raised on sharing it's a humbling experience. I don't believe in free market systems they fail, whatch as the U.S. goes poof.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2008 2:22PM]

asshole

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2008 3:45AM]

This touch back thingy may be good if it aint that "overzealous".. when I tried OMNIA recently, it is a bit weird..especially if you use the SMS with keyboard.. i mean..each character you want to input on the virtual keyboard will "bounce/vibrate" back yr finger.. its kinda "teeth-stuttering" experience.. sheeessh.. however, i think when playing games (like a monster eating you or somekind), maybe the effect is ok.. provided that its not overdone.. i mean.. if the thing vibrate all the time, its numbly annoying