User interface system
First Claim
1. A user interface comprising:
- a layer comprising a singular structure defining a cavity, a fluid channel, and a tactile surface, the tactile surface defining a deformable region adjacent the cavity and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region, the tactile surface continuous over the deformable region and the peripheral region, the fluid channel configured to communicate fluid in a direction substantially parallel to the tactile surface at the peripheral region;
a support member extending into the cavity and configured to support the deformable region against inward deformation, the support member defining a lattice structure comprising a set of fluid conduits configured to fluidly couple the fluid channel to the cavity;
a displacement device configured to transition the deformable regional between a retracted setting and expanded setting by displacing fluid through the fluid channel and into the cavity via the set of fluid conduits, the tactile surface at the deformable region flush with the tactile surface at the peripheral region in the retracted setting, the tactile surface at the deformable region offset from the tactile surface at the peripheral region in the expanded setting; and
a sensor coupled to the layer and configured to detect an input on the tactile surface.
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Accused Products
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.
442 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A user interface comprising:
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a layer comprising a singular structure defining a cavity, a fluid channel, and a tactile surface, the tactile surface defining a deformable region adjacent the cavity and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region, the tactile surface continuous over the deformable region and the peripheral region, the fluid channel configured to communicate fluid in a direction substantially parallel to the tactile surface at the peripheral region; a support member extending into the cavity and configured to support the deformable region against inward deformation, the support member defining a lattice structure comprising a set of fluid conduits configured to fluidly couple the fluid channel to the cavity; a displacement device configured to transition the deformable regional between a retracted setting and expanded setting by displacing fluid through the fluid channel and into the cavity via the set of fluid conduits, the tactile surface at the deformable region flush with the tactile surface at the peripheral region in the retracted setting, the tactile surface at the deformable region offset from the tactile surface at the peripheral region in the expanded setting; and a sensor coupled to the layer and configured to detect an input on the tactile surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification