User interface system

• US 9,367,132 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2011
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• 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., Saal, Nathaniel Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad, Amr
• Assistant Examiner(s): Midkiff, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US13/046,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 178/18.06, 715/701, 715/702
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A user interface system for a device that includes a first deformable layer that with a first sheet that defines a first surface, a first fluid vessel arranged underneath the first surface, and a first volume of fluid contained within the first fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a first particular region of the first surface to receive a user input; a second deformable layer with a second sheet that defines a second surface, a second fluid vessel arranged underneath the second surface, and a second volume of fluid contained within the second fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a second particular region of the second surface to change the shape of the device; and a displacement device a displacement device coupled to at least one of the first and second fluid vessels and configured to manipulate the volumes of fluid to deform particular regions of the surface.

Claims

1. A user interface system for a device comprising a touch-sensitive display and a discrete input region remote from the display, the user interface system comprising:

a first deformable layer coupled to the touch-sensitive display and comprising a first sheet that defines a first particular region, an adjacent region, and a first fluid vessel underneath the first, particular region, the first deformable region providing a linear response when input is received at the first deformable region to inwardly deform the first deformable region;

a first volume of fluid supported within the first fluid vessel;

a second deformable layer arranged over the discrete input region remote from the display, distinct from the first deformable layer, and comprising a second sheet that defines a second particular region, a second adjacent region, and a second fluid vessel arranged underneath the second particular region and fluidly coupled to the first fluid vessel, the second deformable layer is formed from a material which has a stiffness that differs from a stiffness of a material from which the first deformable layer is formed;

a second volume of fluid supported within the second fluid vessel;

a sensor coupled to a second deformable region proximal the discrete input region and remote from the display, the sensor outputting a signal in response to an input at the second deformable region; and

a displacement device fluidly coupled to the first fluid vessel and to the second fluid vessel, selectively manipulating the first volume of fluid to expand the first particular region above the adjacent region, and selectively manipulating the second volume of fluid to expand the second particular region above the second adjacent region independently of the first particular region.

2. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the displacement device, the processor detecting an external object proximal the first deformable layer and actuating the displacement device to displace fluid into the first fluid vessel to selectively expand the first particular region.

3. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the processor detects an adjacent external face proximal the first deformable layer and actuates the displacement device, thereby selectively manipulating the second volume of fluid to deform the second particular region.

4. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the displacement device selectively and independently manipulates the first volume of fluid to pulsate the surface of the deformed first particular region and the second volume of fluid to pulsate the surface of the deformed second particular region.

5. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the second deformable layer comprises a tactile location indicator;

wherein the second deformable layer is arranged over a volume button of the device; and

wherein the second particular region defines a tactilely-distinguishable indicator corresponding to the volume button when expanded by the displacement device.

6. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the first particular region deforms inwardly;

further comprising a support surface arranged proximal the second particular region, the support surface resisting inward deformation of the second particular region into the fluid vessel past flush with the second adjacent region.

7. A user interface system for a device comprising, a touch sensitive display comprising:

a layer coupled to the device and defining a dynamic surface, the layer defining a first set of particular regions formed from a first material arranged coincident the touch sensitive display of the device and a second set of particular regions formed from a second material arranged remote the touch sensitive display of the device, the first and second materials differing in stiffness;

a substrate coupled to the layer and defining a first group of cavities and a second group of cavities, the first group of cavities substantially aligned with the first set of particular regions and the second group of cavities substantially aligned with the second set of particular regions;

a first volume of fluid supported by a first channel fluidly coupled to each cavity in the first group of cavities, the first set of particular regions defining a portrait keyboard layout in an expanded setting and a planar surface coincident the surface in a planar setting;

a second volume of fluid supported by a second channel fluidly coupled to each cavity of the second group of cavities, the second set of particular regions defining a landscape keyboard layout in the tactilely distinguishable formation and the planar surface coincident the surface in a planar setting;

a sensor coupled to deformable region proximal a discrete input region and remote from the display, the sensor outputting a signal in response to an input at the deformable region, the deformable region providing a linear response when input is received at the deformable region to inwardly deform the deformable region; and

a displacement device fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel and to the second fluid channel, the displacement device selectively and independently manipulating the first volume of fluid to deform the first set of particular regions, and the displacement device manipulating the second volume of fluid with the first volume of fluid to deform the second set of particular regions.

8. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the first volume of fluid deforms the first set of particular regions defining a portrait QWERTY keyboard layout, and where the second volume of fluid deforms the second set of particular regions defining a landscape QWERTY keyboard layout.

9. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the layer comprises a first deformable layer and a second deformable layer, the first deformable layer arranged over the first group of cavities and the second deformable layer arranged over the second group of cavities.

10. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the displacement device pulsates the second volume of fluid into and out of the second group of cavities, pulsating the layer.