Nokia patents eyes-free touchscreen controls

Nokia has patented an interesting way to use a touchscreen on a mobile device without looking at it. It deals with a lid to be placed above the touchscreen. There is a slot in it, certain spots of which can be felt by the finger giving the user eyes-free control of the interface. According to Nokia the device should support the special UI to recognize the control. Notice that the lid is a rotating one, which reveals the traditional touchscreen display.

Taking into account the plenty of touch-control devices (Apple iPhone, LG Prada, LG Viewty, HTC Touch/Slide, Samsung F700 and so on) Nokia’s idea might come in handy. By the way it might be good with portable players and other touch-sensitive devices. The pictures to the patent show the better way to apply it.