User interface system and method

• US 9,619,030 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactus Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Ciesla, Craig Michael, Yairi, Micah B., Saal, Nathaniel Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): Figueroa-Gibson, Gloryvid
• Application Number:
  US14/575,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20150378435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-177, 178 1801- 1904
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/02 by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/002 Fluid or inflatable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid

Abstract

One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: A tactile layer defining a tactile surface touchable by a user and plurality of deformable regions operable between a retracted state, wherein the deformable regions are flush with an undeformable region of the tactile layer; and an expanded state, wherein the deformable regions are proud of the undeformable region. A substrate joined to the undeformable region and defining a fluid port per deformable region and a fluid channel. A displacement device displacing the fluid through the fluid channel and the fluid ports to transition the deformable regions from the retracted state to the expanded state. A first and a second pressure sensor detecting changes in fluid pressure within the fluid due to a force applied to a particular deformable region. A processor determining the particular deformable region to be location of the input force based upon the detected fluid pressure changes.

Claims

1. A user interface system comprising:

a substrate defining a fluid channel comprising a first end and a second end, the fluid channel fluidly coupled to a set of cavities between the first end and the second end;

a tactile layer comprising a tactile surface, a peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and a set of deformable regions adjacent the peripheral region, each deformable region in the set of deformable regions cooperating with the substrate to define a corresponding cavity in the set of cavities;

a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel proximal the first end;

a second pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel proximal the second end, the second pressure sensor discrete from the first pressure sensor, the set of deformable regions defined between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor; and

a processor comparing a first signal from the first pressure sensor and a second signal from the second pressure sensor to determine a location of an input on the tactile surface at a particular deformable region in the set of deformable regions.

2. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a displacement device displacing fluid through the fluid channel and into the set of cavities to transition the set of deformable regions from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, each deformable region in the set of deformable regions tactilely distinguishable from and offset above the peripheral region in the expanded setting and each deformable region in the set of deformable regions substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting.

3. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the displacement device is fluidly coupled to the first end of the fluid channel, and wherein the second end of the fluid channel is closed proximal the second pressure sensor.

4. The user interface system of claim 2, further comprising a valve arranged within the fluid channel and operable between an open state and a closed state, the displacement device displacing fluid through the valve in the open state to transition from the retracted setting into the expanded setting, the displacement device displacing fluid toward the valve in the closed state, the valve preventing fluid displacement into the fluid channel in the expanded setting to maintain the set of deformable regions in the expanded setting.

5. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein, in the retracted setting, the processor controls the displacement device to substantially match a fluid pressure within the fluid channel to an ambient air pressure.

6. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first pressure sensor is arranged within the substrate.

7. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the first pressure sensor outputs the first signal corresponding to a fluid pressure change proximal the first end of the fluid channel, wherein the second pressure sensor outputs the second signal corresponding to a fluid pressure change proximal the second end of the fluid channel, and wherein the processor estimates an origin of a pressure wave within the fluid channel based on a comparison of the first signal and the second signal and determines the location of the input on the tactile surface based on proximity of the particular deformable region to the origin of the pressure wave.

8. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein the processor calculates a first fluid pressure change rate based on the first signal, calculates a second fluid pressure change rate based on the second signal, and estimates the origin of the pressure wave within the fluid channel based on a difference between the first fluid pressure change rate and the second fluid pressure change rate over a duration of time.

9. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the processor correlates the first signal with a maximum pressure within the fluid channel, characterizes the input on the tactile surface at the particular deformable region as a first input type in response to a threshold pressure exceeding the maximum pressure within the fluid channel, and characterizes the input on the particular deformable region as a second input type in response to the maximum pressure within the fluid channel exceeding the threshold pressure.

10. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the processor correlates the first signal with a fluid pressure within the fluid channel, characterizes the input on the particular deformable region as a first input type in response to the fluid pressure within the fluid channel exceeding a threshold fluid pressure for a first period of time, and characterizes the input on the particular deformable region as a second input type in response to the fluid pressure within the fluid channel exceeding the threshold fluid pressure for a second period of time.

11. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines the fluid channel comprising a serpentine channel.

12. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines a planar surface adjacent the tactile layer and defines the fluid channel communicating fluid through the substrate in a direction substantially parallel to the planar surface.

13. The user interface system of claim 12, wherein the substrate defines a set of fluid ports, each fluid port in the set of fluid ports communicating fluid from the fluid channel into a corresponding cavity in a direction substantially normal to the planar surface.

14. The user interface system of claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer joined to the first sub-layer, the first sub-layer defining an elongated pocket, and the second sublayer enclosing the elongated pocket to define the fluid channel and defining a plurality of through-bores intersecting the elongated pocket to define the set of fluid ports.

15. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a capacitive touch sensor coupled to the substrate, the processor configured to detect an input on the peripheral region based on an output of the touch sensor.

16. The user interface system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to detect an input on the tactile surface at a deformable region in the set of deformable regions in the retracted setting based on an output of the touch sensor.

17. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the substrate opposite the tactile layer and configured to output an image through the substrate and the tactile layer, a deformable region in the set of deformable region substantially aligned with the image.

18. The user interface system of claim 17, wherein the substrate comprises a substantially transparent material;

and wherein the tactile layer comprises a substantially transparent material.

19. The user interface system of claim 17, wherein the display is configured to output a set of images comprising the image, each image in the set of images defining an alphanumeric character and substantially aligned with a corresponding deformable region in the set of deformable regions in an expanded setting.

20. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines a set of support members, each support member adjacent a corresponding deformable region in the set of deformable regions and configured to limit deformation of the corresponding deformable region inward toward the substrate.

21. The user interface of claim 20, wherein each support member in the set of support members is configured to resist deformation of the corresponding deformable region inward past flush with the peripheral region.

22. A method for detecting an input into a user interface system comprising a substrate defining a fluid channel;

a tactile layer comprising a tactile surface, a peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and a set of deformable regions adjacent the peripheral region, each deformable region in the set of deformable regions cooperating with the substrate to define a corresponding cavity in the set of cavities, the method comprising;

with a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, detecting a first change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel proximal a first location adjacent a particular deformable region in the set of deformable regions;

with a second pressure sensor discrete from the first pressure sensor and fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, detecting a second change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel at a second location adjacent the particular deformable region and opposite the particular deformable region from the first location, the substrate defining the particular deformable region between the first location and the second location;

estimating an origin of a pressure change and a magnitude of the pressure change within the fluid channel based on a comparison of the first change in fluid pressure to the second change in fluid pressure;

correlating the origin of the pressure change within the fluid channel with an input on the particular deformable region; and

correlating the magnitude of the pressure change within the fluid channel with a magnitude of the input on the particular deformable region.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein estimating the origin of the pressure change within the fluid channel comprises correlating the first change in fluid pressure with a pressure wave moving in a first direction within the fluid channel, correlating the second change in fluid pressure with the pressure wave moving in a second direction within the fluid channel, and determining an origin of the pressure wave within the fluid channel based on a detected time of the first pressure wave, a detected time of the second pressure wave, and a dimension of the fluid channel.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein detecting the first change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel comprises detecting a fluid pressure change rate at the first location, and further comprising correlating the input on the particular deformable region with a first input type for the fluid pressure change rate that falls below a threshold fluid pressure change rate and correlating the input on the particular deformable region with a second input type for the fluid pressure change rate that exceeds the threshold fluid pressure change rate.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein detecting the first change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel comprises detecting a maximum fluid pressure at the first location, and further comprising correlating the input on the particular deformable region with a first input type for a maximum detected fluid pressure within the fluid channel that falls below a threshold maximum detected fluid pressure and correlating the input particular deformable region with a second input type for the maximum detected fluid pressure that exceeds the threshold maximum detected fluid pressure.

26. A method for detecting an input into a user interface system comprising a substrate defining a fluid channel;

a tactile layer comprising a tactile surface, a peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and a set of deformable regions adjacent the peripheral region, each deformable region in the set of deformable regions cooperating with the substrate to define a corresponding cavity in the set of cavities, the method comprising;

with a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, detecting a first change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel proximal a first location adjacent a particular deformable region in the set of deformable regions;

with a second pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, detecting a second change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel at a second location adjacent the particular deformable region and opposite the particular deformable region from the first location, the substrate defining the particular deformable region between the first location and the second location;

estimating an origin of a pressure change within the fluid channel based on a comparison of the first change in fluid pressure to the second change in fluid pressure; and

correlating the origin of the pressure change within the fluid channel with an input on the particular deformable region.