US 8,928,621 B2Granted

User interface system and method

AssigneeTactus Technology, Inc.

InventorsCraig Michael Ciesla, Micah B Yairi, Nathaniel Mark Saal

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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.

Claims27

Dependent claims

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 displacement device configured to displace 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, the set of deformable regions substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting and tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting;
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;
and
a processor configured to determine selection of a particular deformable region in the set of deformable regions in the expanded setting based upon a comparison of a first signal from the first pressure sensor and a second signal from the second pressure sensor.

4 more elements

A method for detecting an input into a user interface system, comprising:

displacing fluid into a fluid channel to transition a set of deformable regions of a tactile layer from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, each deformable region in the set of deformable regions substantially flush with a peripheral region in the retracted setting and tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting and cooperating with a substrate to define a corresponding cavity in a set of cavities, each cavity in the set of cavities fluidly coupled to the fluid channel between a first end of the fluid channel and a second end of the fluid channel, and the tactile layer defining the peripheral region adjacent the set of deformable regions and coupled to the substrate;
with a first pressure sensor, detecting a first change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel proximal the first end of the fluid channel;
with a second pressure discrete from the first pressure sensor, detecting a second change in fluid pressure within the fluid channel proximal the second end of the fluid channel;
estimating an origin of a pressure change within the fluid channel based on a comparison of the first change in fluid pressure and the second change in fluid pressure;
and
correlating the origin of the pressure change within the fluid channel with an input on a particular deformable region, in the set of deformable regions in the expanded setting.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/278,138Filed 20 Oct 2011 · us provisional application
Priority: 20 Oct 2010
Published: US 2012/0193211 A12 Aug 2012
Granted: 6 Jan 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G06F 3/044
Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means: by capacitive means
G01L 1/02
Measuring force or stress, in general: by hydraulic or pneumatic means
G06F 3/016
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: input arrangements with force or tactile…
G06F 3/0202
Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials: constructional details or processes of manufacture of the…