Abstract: One variation of a method for directly casting a thin layer onto a substrate includes: combining a prepolymer, a solvent, and a curing agent to define a viscous material; advancing a substrate from a roll across a surface continuously at a first speed; depositing the viscous material at a viscosity through a deposition head onto the substrate, the viscous material flowing laterally across the substrate to form a thin layer of substantially uniform thickness over the substrate over a period of time while the substrate advances along the surface; and, at a distance from the deposition head depositing the viscous material onto the substrate corresponding to a duration of time for the viscous material to flow laterally across the substrate, heating the viscous material to evaporate solvent and to induce reaction between the curing agent and the prepolymer to cure the viscous material to form a layer.

Abstract: A feedback-enhancing film includes: an elastic layer comprising a first polymer exhibiting optical transparency and elasticity; and an interface layer arranged across an upper surface of the elastic layer comprising a second polymer exhibiting optical transparency, impact resistance, UV resistance, and smoothness to touch. Additionally, the interface layer and the elastic layer mutually deform to resist transverse movement of a stylus tip across the interface layer in response to an application of writing force to the interface layer via the stylus tip. The film can also comprise a system including: the film; a stylus including a stylus tip; and a touch-sensitive screen.

Abstract: One variation of tactile interface includes: a flexible substrate configured to deform to a first offset in response to application of a deflecting force on the flexible substrate; a tactile layer defining a tactile surface and configured to deform to a second offset in response to application of the deflecting force on the tactile surface; and a tie layer configured to retain the tactile layer against the substrate, the tie layer defining a first surface contacting the flexible substrate and a second surface contacting the tactile layer, the first surface of the tie layer configured to stretch by the first offset to maintain contact with the substrate and the second surface of the tie layer configured to stretch by the second offset to maintain contact with the tactile layer.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a dynamic tactile layer including a deformable region and a first region, the deformable region operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the first region adjacent the deformable region, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting; a displacement device including a fluid vessel and an actuator, the actuator displacing fluid from the fluid vessel into the dynamic tactile layer to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting and displacing fluid from the dynamic tactile layer into the fluid vessel, transitioning the deformable region from the expanded setting into the retracted setting; and a fluid compensation device coupled to the displacement device and adjusting a configuration of the displacement device in response to a change in a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.

Abstract: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

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.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.

Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.

Abstract: One embodiment of the user interface system comprises: A tactile layer defining a tactile surface touchable by a user and plurality of deformable regions operable between a retracted state, wherein the deformable regions are flush with an undeformable region of the tactile layer; and an expanded state, wherein the deformable regions are proud of the undeformable region. A substrate joined to the undeformable region and defining a fluid port per deformable region and a fluid channel. A displacement device displacing the fluid through the fluid channel and the fluid ports to transition the deformable regions from the retracted state to the expanded state. A first and a second pressure sensor detecting changes in fluid pressure within the fluid due to a force applied to a particular deformable region. A processor determining the particular deformable region to be location of the input force based upon the detected fluid pressure changes.

Abstract: A user interface system of one embodiment includes a layer defining a surface; a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity; a displacement coupled to the cavity that expands the cavity, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface. The layer and the substrate are connected at an attachment point, and the location of the attachment point relative to the layer, substrate, and cavity at least partially defines the shape of the deformed particular region of the surface.

Abstract: A tactile interface for a computing device includes a tactile layer defining a primary guide and a secondary guide. The primary guide is tactilely distinguishable from an adjacent peripheral region and arranged adjacent a first input region of a touch-sensitive surface. The secondary guide is tactilely distinguishable from the adjacent peripheral region, arranged adjacent a second input region of the touch-sensitive surface, and defines a peripheral boundary of a range of motion of a finger moving between the primary guide and the secondary guide. The first input region is independent from the primary guide, the second input region independent from the secondary guide.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a substrate defining a fluid channel and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a tactile layer comprising a peripheral region and a deformable region, the peripheral region coupled to the substrate, and the deformable region arranged over the fluid conduit, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; a tube comprising a first end fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and constrained relative to the substrate; a volume of fluid within the tube; and a rotary actuator coupled to the tube remote from the first end and configured to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting by winding the tube to displace a portion of the volume of fluid within the tube into the fluid channel.

Abstract: One variation of a method for remotely sharing touch includes: receiving a location of a touch input on a surface of a first computing device; receiving an image related to the touch input; displaying the image on a display of a second computing device, the second computing device comprising a dynamic tactile layer arranged over the display and defining a set of deformable regions, each deformable region in the set of deformable region configured to expand from a retracted setting into an expanded setting; and transitioning a particular deformable region in the set of deformable regions from the retracted setting into the expanded setting, the particular deformable region defined within the dynamic tactile layer at a position corresponding to the location of the touch input.

Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiments includes a layer defining a tactile surface and including a first region and a particular region adjacent the first region; a substrate defining a fluid channel, cooperating with the layer at the particular region to define a cavity fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, coupled to the layer at the first region; a displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel into the cavity to transition the particular region from a retracted volume setting into an expanded volume setting, the particular region substantially level with the first region in the retracted volume setting and elevated above the first region in the expanded volume setting; and a sensor including a first conductor and a second conductor coupled to the substrate and adjacent the cavity, the first conductor offset from the second conductor and capacitively coupled to the second conductor.

Abstract: A stylus feedback-enhancing film for a touchscreen that includes an optically clear stylus interface layer and an optically clear substrate layer, the substrate layer having a second hardness lesser than the first hardness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness; wherein the substrate layer is coupled to the stylus interface layer and the touchscreen; wherein the stylus-feedback enhancing film resists lateral motion of the stylus across the touchscreen with a first frictional force when the stylus is slid across the touchscreen with no applied force and with a second frictional force, greater than the first frictional force, when the stylus is slid across the touchscreen with an applied force consistent with human writing; wherein the first frictional force is dominated by the adhesive effect and the second frictional force is dominated by the plowing effect.

Abstract: One variation of a method for reducing perceived optical distortion of light output through a dynamic tactile interface includes: rendering an image on a digital display coupled to a substrate opposite a tactile layer, the tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting and offset above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; estimating a viewing position of a user relative to the digital display; transitioning the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting; and modifying the portion of the image rendered on the digital display according to the estimated viewing position of the user and a profile of the tactile surface across the deformable region in the expanded setting.

Abstract: A system that detects and transitions a configuration of a dynamic tactile interface coupled to a computing device incorporating a touchscreen. The dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer and a substrate, wherein the tactile layer defines a tactile surface, a deformable region, and a first region adjacent the deformable region and coupled to the substrate opposite the tactile surface. A variable volume fluidly coupled to a fluid channel and a displacement device that transitions the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting in response to actuation of an input actuator coupled to the displacement device. A sensor detects a change in a position of the input actuator. In response to the change in the position, the configuration of the deformable regions of the dynamic tactile interface is correlated to a rendered graphical user interface on the touchscreen.