Dynamic tactile interface

• US 9,557,915 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2015
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Ciesla, Craig, Yairi, Micah
• Primary Examiner(s): Abdulselam, Abbas
• Application Number:
  US14/845,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20160187982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/04886 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

Abstract

A system that detects and transitions a configuration of a dynamic tactile interface coupled to a computing device incorporating a touchscreen. The dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer and a substrate, wherein the tactile layer defines a tactile surface, a deformable region, and a first region adjacent the deformable region and coupled to the substrate opposite the tactile surface. A variable volume fluidly coupled to a fluid channel and a displacement device that transitions the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting in response to actuation of an input actuator coupled to the displacement device. A sensor detects a change in a position of the input actuator. In response to the change in the position, the configuration of the deformable regions of the dynamic tactile interface is correlated to a rendered graphical user interface on the touchscreen.

Claims

1. A dynamic tactile interface comprising:

a substrate;

a tactile layer defining a first region coupled to the substrate and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region;

the deformable region cooperating with the substrate to form a variable volume filled with a mass of fluid, the variable volume fluidly coupled to a fluid channel and transitioning from a retracted setting into an expanded setting in response to actuation of an input actuator, the deformable region substantially flush with the first region in the retracted setting and tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting;

a sensor detecting a change in a position of the input actuator and transmitting a signal in response to the change in position of the input actuator; and

a processor in a display device coupled to the dynamic tactile interface, the processor processing the signal to generate an output.

2. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further comprising a displacement device coupled to an actuator, the displacement device transitioning the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.

3. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 2, wherein, in response to detecting the change in position of the input actuator, the volume of fluid is increased by the displacement device.

4. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the processor renders a graphical user interface to correlate to the change in position of the input actuator based on the signal.

5. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, the processor inferring the height of the deformable region from the sensor based on the signal.

6. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a first bladder fluidly coupled to the variable volume, the variable volume of fluid modified in response to the input actuator adjusting the fluidic volume of the first bladder.

7. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a second bladder, wherein the input actuator engages the first bladder at a first position and the second bladder at a second location.

8. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the input actuator moves along a track.

9. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the input actuator includes a dial.

10. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the dial causes one or more bladders to become compressed when the dial is rotated.

11. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the dial causes one or more valves to open or close when the dial is rotated.

12. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the processor renders a first graphical user interface in correlation with a first position of the input actuator and a second graphical user interface in correlation with a second position of the input actuator.

13. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the input actuator may travel in multiple directions.

14. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the rendered graphical interface includes a keyboard.

15. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the rendered graphical user interface is configured to reduce distortion caused by the deformable region in the expanded setting.

16. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein, in response to the signal, the rendered graphical user interface is modified to be easier to perceive through the deformable region in the expanded setting.

17. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 15, wherein the rendered graphical user interface includes space between keys on a keyboard.

18. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the processor renders a first graphical interface that correlates with one or more deformable regions and the processor subsequently renders a second graphical interface that correlates with the one or more deformable regions.

19. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the dynamic tactile interface includes a second input actuator, the second input actuator, a second deformable region cooperating with the substrate to form a second variable volume filled with a second mass of fluid, the second variable volume fluidly coupled to a second fluid channel and transitioning from a retracted setting into an expanded setting in response to actuation of the second input actuator.

20. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a support member, the support member extending from the substrate into the cavity and flush with the upper surface of the substrate.

21. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 20, wherein the support member forms one or more holes on the surface of the substrate.

22. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the input actuator engages a valve to allow fluid motion to or from a bladder.

23. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 22, wherein the input actuator includes a button that engages the valve.

24. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 22, wherein the input actuator includes a dial that engages the valve.