Patent ID: 8199124

Claim:
A user interface system comprising: a volume of fluid; a tactile layer defining a tactile surface, touchable by a user, and a back surface opposite the tactile surface, and including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is of a pliable material and is operable between: a retracted state, wherein the second region is flush with the first region; and an expanded state, wherein the second region is proud of the first region; a substrate joined, by an attachment point, to a portion of the back surface of the first region, wherein the attachment point retains the first region in a substantially planar form and partially defines the shape of the second region; the substrate defining a support surface that is adjacent to the second region, is disconnected from the second region, is in contact with the second region in the retracted state, and prevents deformation of the second region inward past the plane of the first region when a force is applied to the tactile surface by the user; the substrate further defining a fluid conduit that communicates a portion of the fluid through a portion of the substrate, to the back surface of the second region; a displacement device configured to manipulate a portion of the fluid, through the fluid conduit, to the back surface of the second region to transition the second region from the retracted state to the expanded state; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to detect a user touch on the tactile surface.