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.
1. A user interface comprising:
a substrate comprising an attachment face defining a planar attachment surface and a support member continuous with the attachment face, the support member defining a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel laterally adjacent the first fluid channel, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel configured to communicate fluid through the support member into a cavity;
a tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, the peripheral region coupled to the attachment face proximal a periphery of the support member, the deformable region aligned with the support member, disconnected from the support member, and cooperating with the support member to define the cavity, a portion of the tactile layer of a thickness greater than a width dimension of the first fluid channel, and the support member configured to support the deformable region against inward deformation past flush with the attachment surface into the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel;
a displacement device configured to displace fluid into the cavity via the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the retracted setting at the tactile surface;
a sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect an input at the tactile surface; and
a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to interpret a touch on the tactile surface of the deformable region as:
a first input type when the deformable region is in the retracted setting; and
a second input type, different from the first input type, when the deformable region is in the expanded setting.
2. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the attachment face and the support member define a continuous curved surface.
3. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the attachment face and the support member are planar.
4. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the deformable and peripheral regions of the tactile layer are adjacent and of substantially similar thicknesses.
5. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the tactile surface of the deformable region is flush with the tactile surface of the peripheral region in the retracted setting.
6. The user interface of claim 5 , wherein, in the expanded setting, the tactile surface of the deformable region is elevated above a portion of the tactile surface of the peripheral region.
7. The user interface of claim 6 , wherein, in the expanded setting, the tactile surface of the deformable region defines a slider.
8. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein, in the retracted setting, the deformable region is in contact with the support member.
9. The user interface of claim 8 , wherein, in the expanded setting, the deformable region is lifted off of the support member.
10. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid channel defines a circular cross-section and passes through the support member, the fluid channel substantially normal to the attachment face.
11. The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir coupled to the displacement device and configured to contain fluid.
12. The user interface of claim 1 , further comprising a valve arranged between the fluid channel and the displacement device.
13. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor.
14. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the tactile layer comprises a substantially transparent material, wherein the substrate comprises a substantially transparent material, and further comprising a display coupled to the substrate and configured to visually output an image through the tactile surface.
15. The user interface of claim 14 , wherein the display is configured to output the image comprising an image of an input key substantially aligned with the deformable region.
16. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further defines a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel and to the second fluid channel, the fluid conduit configured to communicate fluid between the displacement device and the cavity via the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.
17. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the displacement device is a pump.
18. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the displacement device is further configured to displace fluid away from the deformable region to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting.
19. The user interface of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second support member continuous with the attachment face and a third fluid channel configured to communicate fluid through the second support member into a second cavity, wherein the tactile layer defines a second deformable region adjacent and disconnected from the second support member and cooperating with the second support member to define the second cavity, wherein the support member is configured to limit inward deformation of the second deformable region, and wherein the displacement device is further configured to displace fluid through the third fluid channel into the second cavity to transition the second deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, the expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the retracted setting at the second deformable region.
20. The user interface of claim 19 , wherein the displacement device selectively transitions the deformable region and the second deformable region between the retracted and expanded settings.
21. The user interface of claim 1 incorporated into 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.