Extended refreshable tactile graphic array for scanned tactile display
First Claim
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1. An extended refreshable tactile graphic array apparatus for tactile display comprising:
- a display surface having a pin array of at least hundreds of movable pins maintained thereat, said display surface configured so that pins in said pin array are retained at a selected extension above said display surface after an applied force is utilized to move said pins;
pin retention means configured for resisting forces applied during sensing of said display that are greater than said applied force; and
actuating means to apply said applied force for selectively moving pins in said pin array between at least first and second positions, a single actuator of said actuating means for moving multiple said pins in said pin array.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An extended refreshable tactile graphic array apparatus for tactile display comprising:
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a display surface having a pin array of at least hundreds of movable pins maintained thereat, said display surface configured so that pins in said pin array are retained at a selected extension above said display surface after an applied force is utilized to move said pins; pin retention means configured for resisting forces applied during sensing of said display that are greater than said applied force; and actuating means to apply said applied force for selectively moving pins in said pin array between at least first and second positions, a single actuator of said actuating means for moving multiple said pins in said pin array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An extended refreshable tactile graphic array apparatus for scanned tactile display comprising:
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a multiplicity of movable pins, each pin including a shaft between an enlarged head and an end; a matrix of stacked elements including a display surface element and a laterally movable pin retention element having a plurality of locations configured to engage said movable pins for locking said multiplicity of movable pins in a selected raised or lowered display position after said display is set, said display surface element having a user accessible display surface and an array of openings each having one of said movable pins maintained therein with said enlarged heads of said pins above said display surface and said pin ends below said display surface element, said display surface element formed at least at said openings so that pin extension relative to said user accessible display surface is retained without further support of said pins vet yields to change of pin extension upon application of an applied force; and actuating means for selectively contacting said pin ends after lateral movement of said pin retention element to release said multiplicity of movable pins from engagement and thereby to apply said applied force for moving pins maintained at said array of openings at said display surface element between at least first and second positions, a single actuator in said actuating means for moving a number of said pins. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for extended refreshable tactile graphic display comprising the steps of:
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maintaining an array of at least hundreds of movable pins at a display surface; using a single actuator to move multiple said pins in said array between at least first and second elevation positions relative to said display surface; continuing to move said pins until a desired configuration is attained at said display surface; retaining pins in a position when moved without continued influence from said actuator; locking said pins in position after attainment of said desired configuration; and unlocking said pin positions to allow movement of said pins utilizing force sufficient to overcome retention of pin position when desired to attain a different configuration at said display surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification