The folks over at Next Generation have done some digging at Gamespot to discover that Sony filed a couple of rather interesting patents under Phil Harrison’s name with regard to handheld device technologies.

The chances are, you’ve seen these patents used in other devices before. iPhone type PSP?  More info after the jump.

The first of the two patents (registered at the US Patent Office’s website here) is named as a “hand-held device with touchscreen and digital tactile pixels” and registered to Sony Computer Entertainment America, with Phil Harrison curiously credited as the inventor. In the details of the patent, the technology is said to be used in “a game device, a phone, a portable media player, an email device, web browser device and the like”.

In other words, Sony are working on a new portable device that’s got a touchscreen, meaning it’ll be pretty similar to a few fashionable consumer gadgets and possibly a cellphone, or two. Crucially though, is that the patent is registered to Sony’s gaming division, meaning this can only be some kind of DS rival or PSP sequel.

The second patent, with the same details as the first (SCEA, Phil Harrison, etc) is for “data transfer using a hand-held device”. This is all fine and dandy, but it’s when you burrow into the details that things get pretty interesting. Again, this patent lists “games” as one of its potential uses, but the likelihood of these patents being used on a PSP2 are made ever more certain by the mention of “input/output devices” (buttons, essentially) “optional mass storage devices” (Memory Sticks) but most intriguingly “case motion sensors”. Are Sony thinking of bringing SIXAXIS-style motion sensing to their next portable console? Will this work as well as screaming “ROCK OUT!” on the bus while playing Guitar Hero: On Tour on your DS? Didn’t think so either.

Remote devices are also mentioned in this second patent, which could potentially be your PS3. Perhaps Remote Play is to be expanded, so that your next PlayStation handheld can act as a true controller with a screen. Then again, this and the motion sensor combine in the patent’s description to transfer files from one device to the other using “a flicking motion.”

Essentially then guys and gals, we’re looking at the next PSP essentially acting as an iPod Touch: using a touch screen you’ll be able to play games, watch videos and listen to music, as well as surf the net and access your PS3, all with the glorious motion sensitivity of the SIXAXIS turned off the moment you get your hands on the device. Naturally this is all speculation, but the patents are right there for you to see for yourself; it’s obvious Sony are working on something.

Source: Sony Files Portable Patents - Next Generation