Dynamic tactile interface and methods

US9405417B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tactus Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Micah B. Yairi · Fremont, US
• Craig Ciesla · Mountain View, US
• Nathaniel Mark Saal · Palo Alto, US
• Curtis Ray · Fremont, US
• Michael Hammersley · Redwood City, US
• Brandon Miller · Fremont, US
• Ben Calub · Fremont, US
• Carl Del Rosario · Sunnyvale, US
• Mario Garcia · Fremont, US
• Ron Menigoz · Pleasanton, US
• David Krevor · Redwood City, US
• Jonathan Jenkins · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2014
• Grant date: Aug 2, 2016
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2203/04809
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

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.