User interface system and method
First Claim
1. A user interface comprising:
- a substrate comprising an attachment face, a cavity adjacent the attachment face, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity;
a tactile layer comprising a tactile surface and a back surface opposite the tactile surface, the back surface coupled to the attachment face at a first region of the tactile layer, the back surface arranged over the cavity and disconnected from the substrate at a deformable region of the tactile layer;
a displacement device configured to displace fluid through the fluid channel and into the cavity to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region defining a first tactile formation in the retracted setting, and the deformable region elevated above the first region and defining a second tactile formation tactilely distinguishable from the first formation in the expanded setting;
a first conductor arranged over the cavity and supported by the deformable region;
a second conductor supported by the substrate adjacent the cavity and opposite the first conductor, capacitively coupled to the first conductor, offset from the first conductor by a first distance in the retracted setting, and offset from the first conductor by a second distance greater than the first distance in the expanded setting; and
a processor detecting an input on the deformable region in response to a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the second conductor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The user interface system of the preferred embodiments includes a sheet that defines a surface on one side and at least partially defines a cavity on an opposite side; a volume of a fluid contained within the cavity; a displacement device that modifies the volume of the fluid to expand the cavity, thereby outwardly deforming a particular region of the surface; and a sensor that detects a force applied by a user that inwardly deforms the particular region of the surface. The user interface system has been specifically designed to be used as the user interface for an electronic device, more preferably in an electronic device that benefits from an adaptive user interface, but may alternatively be used in any suitable application.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A user interface comprising:
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a substrate comprising an attachment face, a cavity adjacent the attachment face, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a tactile layer comprising a tactile surface and a back surface opposite the tactile surface, the back surface coupled to the attachment face at a first region of the tactile layer, the back surface arranged over the cavity and disconnected from the substrate at a deformable region of the tactile layer; a displacement device configured to displace fluid through the fluid channel and into the cavity to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region defining a first tactile formation in the retracted setting, and the deformable region elevated above the first region and defining a second tactile formation tactilely distinguishable from the first formation in the expanded setting; a first conductor arranged over the cavity and supported by the deformable region; a second conductor supported by the substrate adjacent the cavity and opposite the first conductor, capacitively coupled to the first conductor, offset from the first conductor by a first distance in the retracted setting, and offset from the first conductor by a second distance greater than the first distance in the expanded setting; and a processor detecting an input on the deformable region in response to a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the second conductor. - 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)
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24. A user interface comprising:
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a substrate defining an attachment face, a cavity adjacent the attachment face, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a first region coupled to the attachment face, and a deformable region arranged over the cavity and disconnected from the substrate; a displacement device displacing fluid through the fluid channel and into the cavity to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region substantially flush with the first region in the retracted setting and elevated above the first region in the expanded setting; a first conductor arranged over the cavity and supported by the deformable region; a second conductor supported by the substrate adjacent the cavity and opposite the first conductor, capacitively coupled to the first conductor, offset from the first conductor by a first distance in the retracted setting, and offset from the first conductor by a second distance greater than the first distance in the expanded setting; and a processor detecting an input on the deformable region in response to a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the second conductor. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification