User interface system

• US 8,154,527 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Ciesla, Craig Michael, Yairi, Micah B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): KING, JONATHAN R
• Application Number:
  US12/319,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-179, 345168-169, 345/104, 345/172, 463 37- 38, 455/466, 178 1801- 2002, 434112-117, 3404071-4072
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• 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: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/002 Fluid or inflatable keyboards

Abstract

The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.

Claims

1. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and 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 a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form;

wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;

wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region;

a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and

a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer.

2. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the tactile layer includes at least two sub-layers.

3. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions are adjacent and the tactile layer defines a substantially continuous outer tactile surface across the first and second regions.

4. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the substrate is interposed between the tactile layer and the touch sensor.

5. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is arranged within the substrate.

6. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the displacement device and configured to contain a portion of the fluid.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the substrate further defines a fluid channel configured to communicate a portion of the fluid between the displacement device and the fluid conduit.

8. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the substrate defines at least one bore between the fluid channel and the back surface of the second region, the at least one bore defining the fluid conduit.

9. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the fluid channel is a micro-fluidic channel.

10. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein, in the expanded state, the second region forms a button and the touch sensor is configured to detect a user touch substantially proximal to the button.

11. The user interface system of claim 10, wherein the button is a substantially dome-shaped protrusion extending outward from the outer tactile surface of the first region.

12. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein, in the expanded state, the second region is a guide and the touch sensor is configured to detect a user touch at a plurality of locations on the outer tactile surface adjacent to the guide.

13. The user interface system of claim 12, wherein the guide includes a substantially ridge-shaped protrusion.

14. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein:

the tactile layer further defines a third region operable between an expanded state and a retracted state;

the substrate further defines a second support surface that is adjacent to the third region, is disconnected from the third region, is in contact with the third region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the third region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user; and

the substrate further defines a second fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the third region.

15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein the displacement device is configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the second fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the third region to transition the third region from the retracted state to the expanded state.

16. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the substrate further defines a fluid channel configured to communicate a portion of the fluid between the displacement device and the second fluid conduit.

17. The user interface of claim 14, wherein the displacement device selectively transitions the second region and the third region between expanded and retracted states.

18. The user interface of claim 14, further comprising a second displacement device is configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the second fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the third region to transition the third region from the retracted state to the expanded state.

19. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the touch sensor and configured to interpret a touch on the outer tactile surface as:

a first input type when the second region is in the retracted state; and

a second input type when the second region is in the expanded state.

20. The user interface system of claim 12, wherein the processor interprets a touch, on the outer tactile surface that substantially deforms the expanded second region, as a second input type.

21. The user interface system of claim 12, wherein the processor does not interpret a touch, on the outer tactile surface that does not substantially deform the expanded second region, as a second input type.

22. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises a capacitive touch sensor.

23. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is a touch sensor sheet arranged substantially across the substrate opposite the tactile layer.

24. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the substrate and configured to visually output an image to the user.

25. The user interface system of claim 24, wherein the display and the touch sensor are physically coextensive.

26. The user interface system of claim 24, wherein the image is of an input key substantially aligned with the second region and is transmitted through the tactile layer.

27. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the tactile layer, the substrate, the fluid, and the touch sensor are substantially translucent.

28. The user interface system of claim 27, wherein tactile layer, the substrate, and the fluid have substantially similar refractive indices.

29. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the support surface of the substrate includes a lattice structure adjacent to the back surface of the second region, the open sections of the lattice structure defining the fluid conduit.

30. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the displacement device includes a heating element configured to expand a portion of the fluid by heating the fluid.

31. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the displacement device includes a linear actuator configured to displace a portion of the fluid toward and away from the fluid conduit to transition the second region between the expanded state and the retracted state.

32. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the displacement device includes pump configured to displace a portion of the fluid toward and away from the fluid conduit to transition the second region between the expanded state and the retracted state.

33. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and 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 coupled to a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form;

wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;

wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; and

a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state;

a display coupled to the substrate and configured to visually output an image of an input key substantially aligned with the second region, wherein the image is transmitted through the tactile layer to the user;

a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and

a processor coupled to the touch sensor and configured to interpret a touch on the outer tactile surface as;

a first input type when the second region is in the retracted state; and

a second input type when the second region is in the expanded state.

34. An electronic system comprising:

a user interface system comprising

a volume of fluid;

a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and 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 a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form;

wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;

wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region;

a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and

a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and

a peripheral selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a trackpad, a keyboard, and a remote control.

35. An electronic system comprising:

user interface system comprising;

a volume of fluid;

a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of an elastic material and 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 a portion of the back surface of the first region and retaining the first region in planar form;

wherein the substrate defines a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region due to a force applied to the tactile surface by the user;

wherein the substrate defines a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region;

a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, toward the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and

a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to the second region of the layer; and

an electronic device selected from the group consisting of an automotive console, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a television, a radio, a desk phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal navigation device, a personal media player, a camera, and a watch.