Not content with making smartphones that simply vibrate, Nokia is looking at tattoos with magnetic ink to alert you to incoming phone calls.

Discovered by Unwired View, Nokia's Haptic Communication patent describes an electronic device, probably your smartphone, that generates a magnetic field that stimulates ferromagnetic ink that's been stamped, tattooed, or taped to skin. The ink's reaction creates perceivable stimuli that responds to digital content on the smartphone.

Translation: Notifications on a smartphone will trigger a vibration in the magnetic ink attached to your body. A text could trigger a specific vibration pattern, while a voicemail could trigger another.

Smartphones, like the iPhone, already feature specific vibration patterns for specific features. Adding an additional element to the mix could potentially allow for enhanced notifications that can't be perceived when your phone is vibrating in your pocket. For example, a phone stored in a purse or book bag could send notifications to users without an audio alert.

While the patent frequently uses the term tattoo, it's unlikely most Nokia users would get inked just so their latest Nokia smartphone could announce the arrival of a text message. Then again, there's always a chance Nokia could be poking around for its own Zune Tattoo Guy.