Patent ID: 6734785
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
A tactile display system comprising:a reference surface; a tactile pin having a longitudinal axis movable axially in directions transverse of the reference surface between raised and lowered positions; and an actuator mechanism for selectively moving the tactile pin between the raised and lowered positions, the actuator mechanism including: an elongated electromagnet distant from the reference surface having a longitudinal axis and first and second spaced poles of opposite, selectively reversible, polarity, the longitudinal axes of the tactile pin and the electromagnet being mutually aligned; and a generally spherical rotatable positioning member intermediate the reference surface and the electromagnet having an axis of rotation coaxial with the longitudinal axes of the tactile pin and of the electromagnet, the rotatable positioning member being a permanent magnet having a peripheral surface which is partially a spherical surface and partially a truncated surface, the positioning member being biased into engagement with the tactile pin and rotatable in response to operation of the electromagnet between a first position at which the spherical surface engages the tactile pin and moves it to the raised position and a second position at which the truncated surface engages the tactile pin and moves it to the lowered position.