User interface system

A user interface system comprising:

• a volume of fluid;
• a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the outer tactile surface, and including an undeformable region and a plurality of deformable regions, wherein each deformable region is of an elastic material and is operable between:
• a retracted state, wherein the deformable region is flush with the undeformable region;
• and
• an expanded state, wherein the deformable region is proud of the undeformable region;
• a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the undeformable region and retaining the undeformable region in planar form;
• wherein the substrate defines a plurality of support surfaces, wherein each support surface is adjacent to a corresponding deformable region, is disconnected from the deformable region, is in contact with the deformable region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the deformable region inward past the plane of the undeformable region due to a force applied to the outer tactile surface by the user;
• wherein the substrate defines a plurality of fluid conduits, wherein each fluid conduit communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of a corresponding deformable region;
• wherein the substrate further defines a fluid network fluidly coupled to a portion of the fluid conduits;
• a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid network, toward the back surface of a portion of the deformable regions, to transition the portion of deformable regions from the retracted state to the expanded state;
• a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to a deformable region;
• a display coupled to the substrate and configured to visually output an image through the tactile layer to the user, the image being of an input key substantially aligned with a deformable region;
• and
• a processor coupled to the touch sensor and configured to interpret a touch on the outer tactile surface as:
• a first input type when a deformable region is in the retracted state;
• and
• a second input type when the deformable region is in the expanded state.

An electronic system comprising:

• an electronic device selected from the group consisting of an automotive console, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a television, a radio, a desk phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal navigation device, a personal media player, a camera, and a watch;
• and
• a user interface system, for the electronic device, including
• a volume of fluid;
• a tactile layer defining an outer tactile surface touchable by a user, defining a back surface opposite the outer tactile surface, and including an undeformable region and a plurality of deformable regions, wherein each deformable region is of an elastic material and is operable between
• a retracted state, wherein the deformable region is flush with the undeformable region;
• and
• an expanded state, wherein the deformable region is proud of the undeformable region;
• a substrate joined to a portion of the back surface of the undeformable region and retaining the undeformable region in planar form;
• wherein the substrate defines a plurality of support surfaces, wherein each support surface is adjacent to a corresponding deformable region, is disconnected from the deformable region, is in contact with the deformable region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the deformable region inward past the plane of the undeformable region due to a force applied to the outer tactile surface by the user;
• wherein the substrate defines a plurality of fluid conduits, wherein each fluid conduit communicates a portion of the fluid, through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of a corresponding deformable region;
• wherein the substrate further defines a fluid network fluidly coupled to a portion of the fluid conduits;
• a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid network, toward the back surface of a portion of the deformable regions, to transition the portion of deformable regions from the retracted state to the expanded state;
• and
• a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch proximate to a deformable region.