User interface system
First Claim
1. A user interface system comprising:
- a volume of fluid;
a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and is operable between;
a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and
an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region;
a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form;
wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;
wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region;
a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and
a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and is operable between; a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form; wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and is operable between; a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate coupled to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form; wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; and a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; a display coupled to the substrate and configured to visually output an image of an input key substantially aligned with the second region, wherein the image is transmitted through the tactile layer to the user; a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and a processor coupled to the touch sensor and configured to interpret a touch on the outer tactile surface as; a first input type when the second region is in the retracted state; and a second input type when the second region is in the expanded state.
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34. An electronic system comprising:
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a user interface system comprising a volume of fluid; a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and is operable between; a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form; wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and a peripheral selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a trackpad, a keyboard, and a remote control.
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35. An electronic system comprising:
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user interface system comprising; a volume of fluid; a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and is operable between; a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form; wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and an electronic device selected from the group consisting of an automotive console, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a television, a radio, a desk phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal navigation device, a personal media player, a camera, and a watch.
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Specification