System and methods for raised touch screens
First Claim
1. A user interface system comprising:
- a volume of fluid;
a membrane including a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the first region is interposed between the second and third regions, and wherein the second and third regions are operable between a retracted state and an expanded state, the second and third regions flush with the first region in the retracted state and proud of the first region in the expanded state;
a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region of the membrane in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region and the third region to define and substantially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity;
a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions from the retracted state to the expanded state;
a tactile layer, separate and distinct from the substrate and the membrane, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable betweena lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, andan elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second and third regions in the expanded state; and
a touch sensor configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface; and
a display separate and distinct from the tactile layer, coupled to the substrate, and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch sensitive display assembly includes a touch screen and a button array. The touch screen is configured to display one or more input keys. The button array includes one or more buttons corresponding to the one or more input keys. The button array is formed by a substrate attached to a button membrane thereby creating a set of button cavities corresponding to the input keys. The button cavities are configured to be inflated and deflated by a pump coupled to a fluid reservoir. The cavities can be inflated/deflated together, in subsets, and/or individually. In some embodiments, the button array is sandwiched between a touch sensing layer and a display of the touch screen. In other embodiments, the button array can be located either above or below the touch screen.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a membrane including a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the first region is interposed between the second and third regions, and wherein the second and third regions are operable between a retracted state and an expanded state, the second and third regions flush with the first region in the retracted state and proud of the first region in the expanded state; a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region of the membrane in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region and the third region to define and substantially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity; a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions from the retracted state to the expanded state; a tactile layer, separate and distinct from the substrate and the membrane, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second and third regions in the expanded state; and a touch sensor configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface; and a display separate and distinct from the tactile layer, coupled to the substrate, and configured to output an image through the tactile layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a membrane including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region substantially surrounds the first region, and wherein the second region is operable between a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region, and a an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region to define and substantially enclose a cavity; a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the cavity to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; a tactile layer, configured as a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the tactile surface, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second region in the expanded state; and a display coupled to the substrate and configured to output an image through the tactile layer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a membrane including a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the first region is interposed between the second and third regions, and wherein the second and third regions are operable between a retracted state and an expanded state, the second and third regions flush with the first region in the retracted state and proud of the first region in the expanded state; a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region of the membrane in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region and the third region to define and substantially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity; a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions from the retracted state to the expanded state; a tactile layer, configured as a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the tactile surface, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second and third regions in the expanded state; and a display coupled to the substrate and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.
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23. A user interface system comprising:
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a volume of fluid; a membrane including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region substantially surrounds the first region, and wherein the second region 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 and retaining a portion of the first region in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region to define and substantially enclose a cavity; a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the cavity to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; a tactile layer, separate and distinct from the substrate and the membrane, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second region in the expanded state; a touch sensor configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface; and a display separate and distinct from the tactile layer, coupled to the substrate, and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.
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Specification