ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER TRANSDUCERS FOR TACTILE FEEDBACK DEVICES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user interface device for displaying information to a user, the user interface comprising:
- a screen having a user interface surface configured for tactile contact by a user and a sensor plate, the screen being configured to display the information;
a frame about at least a portion of the screen; and
an electroactive polymer material coupled between the screen and the frame, wherein an input signal generated by the user causes an electrical field to be applied to the electroactive polymer material causing the electroactive polymer material to displace at least one of the screen and sensor panel in a manner that produces a force sufficient for tactile observation by the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications in user interface devices are disclosed.
181 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A user interface device for displaying information to a user, the user interface comprising:
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a screen having a user interface surface configured for tactile contact by a user and a sensor plate, the screen being configured to display the information; a frame about at least a portion of the screen; and an electroactive polymer material coupled between the screen and the frame, wherein an input signal generated by the user causes an electrical field to be applied to the electroactive polymer material causing the electroactive polymer material to displace at least one of the screen and sensor panel in a manner that produces a force sufficient for tactile observation by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17)
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15. The user interface device of 14, where the electroactive polymer material comprises a plurality of corrugations or folds.
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18. A user interface device for displaying information to a user, the user interface comprising:
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a screen having a sensor surface configured for tactile contact by a user and a sensor plate, the screen being configured to display the information; a frame about at least a portion of the screen; and an electroactive polymer material coupled between the sensor surface and the frame, wherein an input signal generated by the user causes an electrical field to be applied to the electroactive polymer material causing the electroactive polymer material to displace at least one of the screen and sensor surface in a manner that produces a force sufficient for tactile observation by the user. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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32. The user interface device of 31, where the electroactive polymer material comprises a plurality of corrugations or folds.
Specification