User interface system

• US 9,019,228 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Yairi, Micah, Ciesla, Craig, Saal, Nathaniel Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Sharifi-Tafreshi, Koosha
• Application Number:
  US14/196,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20140285424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173, 345/174, 340/407.1, 340/407.2, 715/702, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/18.06
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: a volume of fluid; a tactile layer; a retaining wall substantially impermeable to the fluid; a permeable layer; a displacement device; and a touch sensor. The tactile layer, with a back surface, defines a second region, operable between: a retracted state, wherein the second region is substantially flush with a first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region. The permeable layer, joined to the back surface of the first region, includes a plurality of fluid ports that communicate a portion of the fluid through the permeable layer to the back surface of the second region. The displacement device directs the fluid through the fluid ports to the back surface to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state. The touch sensor detects a user touch on the tactile layer.

Claims

1. A user interface system comprising:

a permeable layer comprising an attachment area, comprising a support surface adjacent the attachment area, and defining a substantially uniform density of fluid ports across the attachment area and the support surface;

a tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a first region, and a deformable region, the first region coupled to the attachment area and blocking flow of a fluid through fluid ports within the attachment area, the deformable region arranged over, disconnected from, and supported against inward deformation below the first region by the support surface;

a retaining wall coupled to the permeable layer opposite the tactile layer and substantially impermeable to the fluid;

a displacement device displacing fluid through fluid ports within the support surface to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region in contact with the support surface in the retracted setting, the first region elevated above the first region and lifted off of the support surface in the expanded setting; and

a sensor outputting a signal corresponding to an input on the tactile surface.

2. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the retaining wall is coupled directly to the permeable layer opposite the tactile layer, wherein the displacement device pumps fluid laterally into the permeable layer, and wherein fluid ports within the permeable layer redirect fluid flow vertically toward deformable region.

3. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the retaining wall comprises a coating applied to a back surface of the permeable layer opposite the tactile layer.

4. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the displacement device comprises an electromechanical pump.

5. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the retaining wall is offset from and cooperates with the permeable layer to define a reservoir containing a volume of the fluid, the displacement device displacing fluid from the reservoir into the permeable layer to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting.

6. The user interface system of claim 5, wherein the displacement device displaces a portion of the retaining wall toward a portion of the permeable layer to displace fluid from the reservoir into the permeable layer.

7. The user interface system of claim 5, further comprising a perimeter wall impermeable to the fluid, encompassing a perimeter of the permeable layer, and cooperating with the retaining wall and the permeable layer to define the reservoir.

8. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the retaining wall extends around a perimeter of the permeable layer, and wherein the displacement device displaces a portion of the retaining wall relative to the permeable layer to displace fluid within the permeable layer toward the deformable region, the portion of the retaining wall adjacent the perimeter of the permeable layer.

9. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the permeable layer defines a substantially uniform density of fluid conduits throughout its thickness, the fluid conduits terminating in fluid ports at the attachment area and the support surface.

10. The user interface system of claim 9, wherein the permeable layer comprises a substantially porous material defining interconnected cavities that form the fluid conduits.

11. The user interface system of claim 10, wherein the displacement device comprises a heating element that heats the fluid to change a porosity of the permeable layer and to decrease a viscosity of the fluid.

12. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the fluid conduits comprise substantially parallel bores of substantially circular cross-sections passing fully through the permeable layer substantially normal to the attachment area and to the support surface.

13. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive touch sensor physically coextensive with the retaining wall.

14. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the displacement device comprises a first conductive trace arranged over the support surface, comprises a second conductive trace coupled to the permeable layer opposite the support surface, and generates a voltage differential across the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace to induce electroosmotic fluid flow through fluid ports within the support surface.

15. The user interface system of claim 1,

wherein the permeable layer further comprises a second support surface adjacent the attachment area and defines a substantially uniform density of fluid ports across the attachment area, the support surface, and the second support surface,

wherein the tactile layer further defines a second deformable region arranged over, disconnected from, and supported against inward deformation below the first region by the second support surface, and

wherein the displacement device displaces fluid through fluid ports within the second support surface to transition the second deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting independently of the deformable region.

16. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a digital display coupled to the retaining wall and displaying an image of an input key substantially aligned with the deformable region, and wherein the retaining wall, the permeable layer, and the tactile layer are substantially transparent.

17. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the tactile surface is substantially continuous across the first region and the deformable region, and wherein the first region and the deformable region are planar and flush in the retracted setting.

18. A user interface system comprising:

a permeable layer comprising an attachment area, comprising a concave support surface adjacent the attachment area, and defining a substantially uniform density of fluid ports across the attachment area and the concave support surface;

a tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a first region, and a deformable region, the first region coupled to the attachment area and Mocking flow of a fluid through fluid ports within the attachment area, the deformable region arranged over and disconnected from the concave support surface;

a retaining wall bonded across the permeable layer opposite the tactile layer and substantially impermeable to the fluid;

a displacement device displacing fluid through fluid ports within the concave support surface to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region in contact with the concave support surface in the retracted setting, the first region elevated above the first region and lifted off of the concave support surface in the expanded setting; and

a sensor outputting a signal corresponding to an input on the tactile surface.

19. The user interface system of claim 18, wherein the displacement device is configured to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting into the retracted setting by displacing a volume of the fluid out of the fluid permeable layer.

20. The user interface system of claim 19, wherein the displacement device is configured to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting into a neutral setting by displacing a portion of the volume of the fluid out of the fluid permeable layer, the deformable region substantially flush with the first region in the neutral setting.

21. The user interface system of claim 18, wherein the retaining wall is offset from the permeable layer and cooperates with the permeable layer to define a reservoir containing a volume of the fluid, wherein the permeable layer defines a substantially uniform density of fluid inlets adjacent the reservoir and a series of interconnected cavities that communicate fluid between the fluid inlets and the fluid ports.