Patent ID: 8179377
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: G06F,H01H

Abstract:
1. 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 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.