Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150205368 | DYNAMIC TACTILE INTERFACE - A dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer including an attachment surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate coupled to the attachment surface at the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; a first magnet coupled to the substrate proximal the deformable region; and a second magnet coupled to the tactile layer at the deformable region and magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet cooperating to yield a nonlinear displacement of the deformable region in the expanded setting toward the substrate in response to a force applied to the tactile surface at the deformable region. | 07-23-2015 |
20150205416 | DYNAMIC TACTILE INTERFACE - A dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer including an attachment surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the attachment surface at the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; a first electromagnetic element coupled to the substrate proximal the deformable region and outputting a first electromagnetic field; and a second electromagnetic element coupled to the tactile layer at the deformable region and outputting a second electromagnetic field, the second electromagnetic element attracted to the first electromagnetic element in a first setting and repelling the first electromagnetic element in a second setting. | 07-23-2015 |
20150205417 | DYNAMIC TACTILE INTERFACE - A dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer including a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the deformable region operable between an expanded setting and a retracted setting; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region; and a spring element coupled to the substrate between the tactile layer and the substrate, arranged substantially over the fluid conduit, and operable in a first distended position and a second distended position, the spring element at a local minimum of potential energy in the expanded setting and in the first distended position and at a second potential energy greater than the local minimum of potential energy between the first distended position and the second distended position, the spring element defining a nonlinear displacement response to an input displacing the deformable region in the expanded setting toward the substrate. | 07-23-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140043291 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE USER INTERFACE OF A DEVICE - A method adjusting a user interface experience for a device that includes providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device | 02-13-2014 |
20140062954 | METHOD FOR ACTUATING A TACTILE INTERFACE LAYER - A method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interface layer that includes a movement of a finger of the user from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface; interpreting the gesture as a command for the deformable region; and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command. | 03-06-2014 |
20140152611 | USER INTERFACE - One variation of a user interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel fluidly coupled to a cavity and including a linear segment parallel to a first direction; a tactile layer including a tactile surface, a deformable region cooperating with the substrate to define the cavity, and an peripheral region coupled to the substrate proximal a perimeter of the cavity; a displacement device coupled to the fluid channel and configured to displace fluid through the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a display coupled to the substrate and including a set of pixels arranged in a linear pixel pattern parallel to a second direction nonparallel with the first direction; and a sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect an input on the tactile surface. | 06-05-2014 |
20140210789 | METHOD FOR ACTUATING A TACTILE INTERFACE LAYER - A method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interface layer that includes a movement of a finger of the user from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface; interpreting the gesture as a command for the deformable region; and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command. | 07-31-2014 |
20140285424 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM - One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: a volume of fluid; a tactile layer; a retaining wall substantially impermeable to the fluid; a permeable layer; a displacement device; and a touch sensor. The tactile layer, with a back surface, defines a second region, operable between: a retracted state, wherein the second region is substantially flush with a first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region. The permeable layer, joined to the back surface of the first region, includes a plurality of fluid ports that communicate a portion of the fluid through the permeable layer to the back surface of the second region. The displacement device directs the fluid through the fluid ports to the back surface to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state. The touch sensor detects a user touch on the tactile layer. | 09-25-2014 |
20150029126 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM - Disclosed is a user interface system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and contract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and a sensor system that is configured to receive a user input on the surface with a first sensitivity and configured to receive a user input substantially proximal to the particular region of the surface at with second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity. | 01-29-2015 |
20150091870 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM - A user interface system for receiving a user input that includes sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an electrical sensor coupled to the sheet that receives an input provided by a user that inwardly deforms the surface of the sheet and that includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are electrically coupled to each other with an electrical property that changes as the distance between the first and second conductors changes. | 04-02-2015 |
20150177839 | METHOD FOR ACTUATING A TACTILE INTERFACE LAYER - A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command. | 06-25-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110001613 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE USER INTERFACE OF A DEVICE - A method adjusting a user interface experience for a device that includes providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device | 01-06-2011 |
20110012851 | User Interface Enhancement System - A user interface enhancement system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel that cooperates with the sheet to transmit an image through the sheet without substantial obstruction, a displacement device that influences the volume of fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an attachment component that couples the sheet to the device is disclosed. | 01-20-2011 |
20110148793 | User Interface System - A user interface system for receiving a user input that includes sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an electrical sensor coupled to the sheet that receives an input provided by a user that inwardly deforms the surface of the sheet and that includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are electrically coupled to each other with an electrical property that changes as the distance between the first and second conductors changes. | 06-23-2011 |
20110157080 | User Interface System - Disclosed is a user interface system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and contract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and a sensor system that is configured to receive a user input on the surface with a first sensitivity and configured to receive a user input substantially proximal to the particular region of the surface at with second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity. | 06-30-2011 |
20110254672 | Method for Actuating a Tactile Interface Layer - A method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interface layer that includes a movement of a finger of the user from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface; interpreting the gesture as a command for the deformable region; and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254709 | Method for Actuating a Tactile Interface Layer - A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254789 | User Interface System - A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively. | 10-20-2011 |
20120002571 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DEVICE COMMUNICATIONS - Apparatuses and methods to establish communications between devices. In one embodiment, a method of sharing data includes, without requiring a proxy device and without requiring a server to enable communications, receiving a request transmitted by a requesting device, authenticating the requesting device, and establishing a connection between the requesting device and a requested device. The requesting device and the requested device are dissimilar communication devices having dissimilar communications standards. | 01-05-2012 |
20120032886 | METHOD FOR ASSISTING USER INPUT TO A DEVICE - A method for assisting user input to a device, comprising the steps of providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device that manipulates the volume of fluid to deform a plurality of particular regions of the surface into tactilely distinguishable formations that each represent a key of a key interface, allowing the user to provide input through the key interface, predicting a subsequent key input when a user provides an input through the key interface, and manipulating the volume of fluid to deform the plurality of particular regions into one of two types of tactilely distinguishable formations: a first type for tactilely distinguishable formations that represent a predicted key and a second type for tactilely distinguishable formations that represent an unpredicted key. | 02-09-2012 |
20120062483 | User Interface System - A user interface system for a device that includes a first deformable layer that with a first sheet that defines a first surface, a first fluid vessel arranged underneath the first surface, and a first volume of fluid contained within the first fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a first particular region of the first surface to receive a user input; a second deformable layer with a second sheet that defines a second surface, a second fluid vessel arranged underneath the second surface, and a second volume of fluid contained within the second fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a second particular region of the second surface to change the shape of the device; and a displacement device a displacement device coupled to at least one of the first and second fluid vessels and configured to manipulate the volumes of fluid to deform particular regions of the surface. | 03-15-2012 |
20120098789 | User Interface System - One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: a volume of fluid; a tactile layer; a retaining wall substantially impermeable to the fluid; a permeable layer; a displacement device; and a touch sensor. The tactile layer, with a back surface, defines a second region, operable between: a retracted state, wherein the second region is substantially flush with a first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is substantially proud of the first region. The permeable layer, joined to the back surface of the first region, includes a plurality of fluid ports that communicate a portion of the fluid through the permeable layer to the back surface of the second region. The displacement device directs the fluid through the fluid ports to the back surface to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state. The touch sensor detects a user touch on the tactile layer. | 04-26-2012 |
20120193211 | User Interface System and Method - 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. | 08-02-2012 |
20120218213 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE USER INTERFACE OF A DEVICE - A method adjusting a user interface experience for a device that includes providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device | 08-30-2012 |
20120218214 | User Interface Enhancement System - A user interface enhancement system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel that cooperates with the sheet to transmit an image through the sheet without substantial obstruction, a displacement device that influences the volume of fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an attachment component that couples the sheet to the device is disclosed. | 08-30-2012 |
20120235935 | User Interface System - The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner. | 09-20-2012 |
20130241860 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM - The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner. | 09-19-2013 |
20140132532 | DYNAMIC TACTILE INTERFACE AND METHODS - One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate including a first transparent material and defining an attachment surface, an open channel opposite the attachment surface, and a fluid conduit intersecting the open channel and passing through the attachment surface; a tactile layer including a second transparent material and defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region bonded to the attachment surface opposite the tactile surface, and a deformable region adjacent the fluid conduit and disconnected from the attachment surface; a closing panel bonded to the substrate opposite the attachment surface and enclosing the open channel to define a fluid channel; a working fluid; and a displacement device configured to displace the working fluid into the fluid channel and through the fluid conduit to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting. | 05-15-2014 |