Extended refreshable tactile graphic array for scanned tactile display
AssigneeUnited States of America
InventorsJohn W. Roberts, Oliver T. Slattery, Bretton Swope, David W. Kardos, Volker Min, Michael Sutton, Edwin C. Mulkens, Gina Rodgers, Nicholas Guttenberg, Tracy Comstock
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.
Claims20
An extended refreshable tactile graphic array apparatus for tactile display comprising:
- a display surface having a pin array of at least hundreds of movable pins maintained thereat;
- pin retention means for holding pins in a position when moved;
- and
- actuating means for selectively moving pins in said pin array between at least first and second positions, a single actuator of said actuating means for moving multiple said pins in said pin array.
An extended refreshable tactile graphic array apparatus for scanned tactile display comprising:
- a multiplicity of movable pins, each pin including a shaft between an enlarged head and an end;
- a matrix of stacked elements including a display surface element and a pin retention element for holding pins in a position when moved, said display surface element having a user accessible display surface and an array of openings each having one of said movable pins maintained therein with said enlarged heads of said pins above said display surface and said pin ends below said display surface element;
- and
- actuating means for selectively contacting said pin ends for moving pins maintained at said array of openings at said display surface element between at least first and second positions, a single actuator in said actuating means for moving a number of said pins.
A method for extended refreshable tactile graphic display comprising the steps of:
- maintaining an array of at least hundreds of movable pins at a display surface;
- using a single actuator to move multiple said pins in said array between at least first and second positions;
- continuing to move said pins until a desired configuration is attained at said display surface;
- retaining pins in a position when moved without continued influence from said actuator;
- and
- moving said pins when desired to attain a different configuration at said display surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.