Dynamic tactile interface
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorCharles A. Eldering
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for exciting a dynamic tactile interface having a plurality of electrodes includes identifying an area within an image that is capable of tactile feedback and identifying a first subset of the plurality of electrodes in the dynamic tactile interface that correspond to the plurality of areas. A voltage is applied to each of the electrodes of to the plurality of electrodes to create a desired state for each electrode corresponding to the areas capable of tactile feedback. The dynamic tactile interface can be implemented as part of a viewable display type of device, or as a device without any viewable display.
Claims23
A method of exciting a dynamic tactile interface having a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising:
- identifying an area within an image that is capable of tactile feedback;
- identifying, by a controller, a first subset of the plurality of electrodes in the dynamic tactile interface corresponding to the area;
- and
- applying a voltage to each of the electrodes of the first subset of the plurality of electrodes to create a desired state for each electrode corresponding to the area capable of tactile feedback.
A dynamic tactile interface comprising:
- an electrostatic film capable of having at least an indent state and a protrusion state;
- a plurality of electrodes arranged in a matrix configuration and positioned below the electrostatic film;
- a plurality of support members located in between and perpendicular to the electrostatic film and the plurality of electrodes;
- a plurality of charge circuits coupled to the plurality of electrodes;
- and
- a controller configured to determine areas within an image that are configured for tactile feedback, determine a first subset of the electrodes that correspond to the areas, and send excitation signals to excite the first subset of electrodes.
An apparatus for interfacing with a dynamic tactile interface, the tactile interface comprising an electrostatic film capable of having an indent state and a protrusion state, a plurality of electrodes positioned below the electrostatic film, a plurality of charge circuits coupled to the electrodes, and a plurality of support members located in between and perpendicular to the electrostatic film and the plurality of electrodes, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller coupled to the plurality of charge circuits, the controller configured to determine areas within an image on the dynamic tactile interface that are configured for tactile feedback, determine a subset of the electrodes that correspond to the areas, and send excitation signals to the charge circuits to excite the subset of electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.