User interface enhancement system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user interface enhancement system, for a touch interface device, 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 substantially flush with the first region; and
an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region;
a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region;
the substrate defining 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 inward deformation of the second region inward past the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;
the substrate further defining 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
an attachment component configured to removably couple the substrate to the touch interface device, wherein the substrate is interposed between the interface device and the tactile layer.
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Abstract
A user interface enhancement system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel that cooperates with the sheet to transmit an image through the sheet without substantial obstruction, a displacement device that influences the volume of fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an attachment component that couples the sheet to the device is disclosed.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A user interface enhancement system, for a touch interface device, 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 substantially flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region; a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region; the substrate defining 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 inward deformation of the second region inward past the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; the substrate further defining 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 an attachment component configured to removably couple the substrate to the touch interface device, wherein the substrate is interposed between the interface device and the tactile 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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Specification