Abstract: A tactile display writer unit includes a probe having a contact tip, and at least a first actuator and a second actuator coupled to the probe, whereby activation of the actuators results in a displacement of the probe tip in one or more of a z-direction and in a lateral direction having a vector in an x-y plane. Also, a display writer includes a plurality of such units supported in an x-y array. The writer units may have a third actuator coupled to the probe. Also, a tactile vision system includes such a display writer, an image processor, and an image sensor. The processor transforms RGB image information from the image sensor into hue-based information having two or more attributes; and the actuators in the tactile display writer are activated by the information attributes.

Abstract: A phase change material comprising a quaternary GaTeSb material consisting essentially of MA(GaxTeySbz)B, and where M comprises a group IVA element C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, a group VA element N, P, As, Sb, Bi, or a group VIA element O, S, Se, Te, Po, having a value A such that the transition temperature is increased relative to the transition temperature in GaxTeySbz, without M, and the difference between the melting temperature and the transition temperature is reduced relative to the difference in GaxTeySbz, without M.

Abstract: A tactile display writer unit includes a probe having a contact tip, and at least a first actuator and a second actuator coupled to the probe, whereby activation of the actuators results in a displacement of the probe tip in one or more of a z-direction and in a lateral direction having a vector in an x-y plane. Also, a display writer includes a plurality of such units supported in an x-y array. The writer units may have a third actuator coupled to the probe. Also, a tactile vision system includes such a display writer, an image processor, and an image sensor. The processor transforms RGB image information from the image sensor into hue-based information having two or more attributes; and the actuators in the tactile display writer are activated by the information attributes.