System and methods for raised touch screens

• US 8,547,339 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Ciesla, Craig M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARINELLI, PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US11/969,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,097 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 345/104, 463 37- 38, 455/466, 178 1801- 2004, 434112-117, 3404071-4072
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• 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 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

A touch sensitive display assembly includes a touch screen and a button array. The touch screen is configured to display one or more input keys. The button array includes one or more buttons corresponding to the one or more input keys. The button array is formed by a substrate attached to a button membrane thereby creating a set of button cavities corresponding to the input keys. The button cavities are configured to be inflated and deflated by a pump coupled to a fluid reservoir. The cavities can be inflated/deflated together, in subsets, and/or individually. In some embodiments, the button array is sandwiched between a touch sensing layer and a display of the touch screen. In other embodiments, the button array can be located either above or below the touch screen.

Claims

1. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a membrane including a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the first region is interposed between the second and third regions, and wherein the second and third regions are operable between a retracted state and an expanded state, the second and third regions flush with the first region in the retracted state and proud of the first region in the expanded state;

a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region of the membrane in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region and the third region to define and substantially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity;

a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions from the retracted state to the expanded state;

a tactile layer, separate and distinct from the substrate and the membrane, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between

a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and

an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second and third regions in the expanded state; and

a touch sensor configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface; and

a display separate and distinct from the tactile layer, coupled to the substrate, and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.

2. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a valve arranged between the pump and the first cavity, wherein the valve is configured to release a portion of the fluid from the first cavity to transition the second region from the expanded state to the retracted state.

3. The user interface of claim 2, wherein the valve is in a first state when the pump manipulates the fluid into the first cavity, and wherein the valve is in a second state when the pump manipulates the fluid out of the first cavity.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the pump is further configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid out of the first cavity to transition the second region from the expanded state to the retracted state.

5. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the pump and configured to contain a portion of the fluid.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the display is coupled to the substrate opposite the membrane.

7. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the substrate, the membrane, and the tactile layer are each of a substantially transparent material and cooperate to transmit the image to the user.

8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the fluid is of a refractive index substantially similar to the refractive index of the tactile layer.

9. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises a pressure sensor coupled to the first cavity.

10. The user interface of claim 1, wherein, in the elevated state, the deformable area defines a button of a volume substantially greater than the volume of the fluid displaced into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions into the expanded state.

11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the second and third regions are configured to simultaneously transition from the retracted state to the expanded state.

12. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a second pump configured to manipulate the fluid from the first cavity to transition the second region from the expanded state to the retracted state.

13. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the substrate further defines a fluid channel that directs a portion of the fluid between the first and the second cavities.

14. The user interface of claim 13, wherein the pump is fluidly coupled to the fluid channel.

15. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the tactile layer is joined to the membrane substantially proximal to the second and third regions.

16. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third regions form a substantially continuous surface of the membrane opposite the substrate.

17. The user interface of claim 1, wherein, in the elevated state, the deformable area is substantially planar and parallel to the first region.

18. The user interface of claim 1, the tactile layer is disconnected from the membrane across the first, second and third regions of the membrane.

19. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a membrane including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region substantially surrounds the first region, and wherein the second region is operable between

a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region, and

a an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region;

a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region to define and substantially enclose a cavity;

a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the cavity to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state;

a tactile layer, configured as a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the tactile surface, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between

a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and

an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second region in the expanded state; and

a display coupled to the substrate and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.

20. the user interface of claim 19, wherein the tactile layer is coupled to the membrane substantially proximal the second region.

21. The user interface of claim 19, wherein, in the elevated state, the deformable area defines a button of a volume substantially greater than the volume of the fluid displaced into the cavity to transition the second region to the expanded state.

22. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a membrane including a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the first region is interposed between the second and third regions, and wherein the second and third regions are operable between a retracted state and an expanded state, the second and third regions flush with the first region in the retracted state and proud of the first region in the expanded state;

a substrate joined to and retaining a portion of the first region of the membrane in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region and the third region to define and substantially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity;

a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the first and second cavities to transition the second and third regions from the retracted state to the expanded state;

a tactile layer, configured as a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the tactile surface, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second and third regions in the expanded state; and

a display coupled to the substrate and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.

23. A user interface system comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a membrane including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region substantially surrounds the first region, and wherein the second region 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 and retaining a portion of the first region in planar form, the substrate cooperating with the second region to define and substantially enclose a cavity;

a pump configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid into the cavity to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state;

a tactile layer, separate and distinct from the substrate and the membrane, joined to a portion of the membrane opposite the substrate, and defining a tactile surface touchable by a user, and comprising a deformable area operable between a lowered state, wherein the deformable area is in contact with the first region, and an elevated state, wherein the deformable area is lifted off of the first region by the second region in the expanded state;

a touch sensor configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface; and

a display separate and distinct from the tactile layer, coupled to the substrate, and configured to output an image through the tactile layer.