Sony’s been awarded a patent for a new type of hand-held device. The kicker is that it’s from the company’s gaming division, and boasts tactile feedback like no device before it.

While the patent document doesn’t specifically refer to the new invention as the PSP 2.0, it does list Sony Computer Entertainment’s ex-president Phil Harrison as the inventor, so it must be a gaming device.

What’s more, “digital tactile pixels” are described, suggesting that the device would be able to vibrate or respond when the screen is prodded.

Sony’s filing details a number of other uses for the technology too, including a phone, portable media player, e-mail device, web browser device and navigation system.

Could the next PSP be touchscreen? From the sound of this patent, the answer’s a firm “yes”.

TBC | £TBC | Sony (via Joystiq)