Touchscreen patents for Microsoft and Sony

Seven patent filings by Sony last year appear to corroborate reports that its next-generation PSP will feature touch-sensitive panel on its underside.

One patent suggests that the front-mounted display precisely reflects actions on the rear panel, overcoming the traditional touchscreen problem that "the user's fingers often obscure the part that is to be selected."

Microsoft also appears to be patenting variations on touchscreen controls, in this case using ultraviolet light to create a "topography changing layer" which provides varying tactile feedback - such as "serving as a virtual button."