Method for actuating a tactile interface layer
First Claim
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1. A method for actuating a tactile interface layer coupled to a device, comprising a surface defining a deformable region and a second region adjacent the deformable region, and defining a fluid vessel adjacent the deformable region, the method comprising:
- displacing a volume of fluid into the fluid vessel to transition the deformable region of the surface from a retracted state into an expanded state the deformable region defining a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface second region in the expanded state;
detecting a force applied to the surface at the deformable region in the expanded state;
interpreting the force on the deformable region as a command for a firmness of the deformable region in the expanded setting; and
manipulating the volume of fluid to modify the firmness of the deformable region in the expanded setting based on the command.
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Abstract
A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.
490 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for actuating a tactile interface layer coupled to a device, comprising a surface defining a deformable region and a second region adjacent the deformable region, and defining a fluid vessel adjacent the deformable region, the method comprising:
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displacing a volume of fluid into the fluid vessel to transition the deformable region of the surface from a retracted state into an expanded state the deformable region defining a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface second region in the expanded state; detecting a force applied to the surface at the deformable region in the expanded state; interpreting the force on the deformable region as a command for a firmness of the deformable region in the expanded setting; and manipulating the volume of fluid to modify the firmness of the deformable region in the expanded setting based on the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for actuating a tactile interface layer coupled to a device and comprises a surface defining a first deformable region, a second deformable region, and third region adjacent the first deformable region and the second deformable region, the tactile interface layer defining a first fluid vessel adjacent the first deformable region and a second fluid vessel adjacent the second deformable region, the method comprising:
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displacing a first volume of fluid into the first fluid vessel to transition the first deformable region of the surface from a retracted state into an expanded state, the first deformable region defining a first formation tactilely distinguishable from the third region in the expanded state; displacing a second volume of fluid out of the second fluid vessel to transition the second deformable region of the surface from the expanded state into the retracted state, the second deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the third region in the expanded state; detecting a force applied to the surface at the first deformable region of the surface in the expanded state; interpreting the force on the first deformable region as a command to retract the first deformable region and to expand the second deformable region; decreasing the first volume of fluid in the first fluid vessel to retract the first deformable region based on the command; and increasing the second volume of fluid in the second fluid vessel to expand the second deformable region based on the command. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification