Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer defining a first region and a deformable region adjacent the first region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer at the first region, defining a variable volume adjacent the deformable region and defining a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the variable volume; a set of rigid structures distributed across the tactile layer defining an anti-reflective coating over the tactile layer; and a displacement device fluidly coupled to the fluid channel, the displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting, the deformable region tactilely distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting, the set of rigid structures conforming to the tactile layer, each rigid structure in the set of rigid structures shifting relative to an adjacent rigid structure in the set of rigid structures.

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: One variation of a method for controlling a dynamic tactile user interface includes: sensing a capacitance value across a portion of a cavity, a tactile layer defining a deformable region and a peripheral region, the peripheral region adjacent the deformable region, and the deformable region cooperating with the substrate to define the cavity; estimating a vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region according to the sensed capacitance value across the portion of the cavity; manipulating a fluid pressure within the cavity to modify a vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region according to a difference between the estimated vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region and a target vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region; and sensing an input on the tactile surface according to a change in capacitance value across the portion of the cavity.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface for a computing device includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate including a transparent base material exhibiting a first optical dispersion characteristic, coupled to the tactile layer at the peripheral region, defining a fluid conduit adjacent the peripheral region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a volume of transparent fluid contained within the fluid channel and the fluid conduit and exhibiting a second optical dispersion characteristic different from the first optical dispersion characteristic; a volume of particulate contained within the transparent base material of the substrate, biased around the fluid conduit, and exhibiting a third optical dispersion characteristic different from the first optical dispersion characteristic; and a displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting i

Abstract: A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively.

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 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: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface for a computing device includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate including a transparent base material exhibiting a first optical dispersion characteristic, coupled to the tactile layer at the peripheral region, defining a fluid conduit adjacent the peripheral region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a volume of transparent fluid contained within the fluid channel and the fluid conduit and exhibiting a second optical dispersion characteristic different from the first optical dispersion characteristic; a volume of particulate contained within the transparent base material of the substrate, biased around the fluid conduit, and exhibiting a third optical dispersion characteristic different from the first optical dispersion characteristic; and a displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting i

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: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interface layer that includes a movement of a finger of the user from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface; interpreting the gesture as a command for the deformable region; and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

Abstract: The dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting; a substrate including an attachment surface and coupled to the peripheral region and defining a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a border region proximal a periphery of the substrate and defining a cavity configured to receive an instrument, the cavity supporting the instrument in a first configuration and releasing the instrument in a second configuration; and a bladder fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and coupled to the cavity, the instrument compressing a portion of the bladder in the first configuration to displace fluid from the bladder into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting.

Abstract: A user interface system for a device that includes a first deformable layer that with a first sheet that defines a first surface, a first fluid vessel arranged underneath the first surface, and a first volume of fluid contained within the first fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a first particular region of the first surface to receive a user input; a second deformable layer with a second sheet that defines a second surface, a second fluid vessel arranged underneath the second surface, and a second volume of fluid contained within the second fluid vessel that is manipulated to deform a second particular region of the second surface to change the shape of the device; and a displacement device a displacement device coupled to at least one of the first and second fluid vessels and configured to manipulate the volumes of fluid to deform particular regions of the surface.

Abstract: One variation of the method includes registering interaction with a dynamic tactile interface including a tactile layer and a substrate, the tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a deformable region, and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region and coupled to the substrate opposite the tactile surface, the method including: detecting an orientation of the device; predicting a location of an upcoming input related to a native application executing on the device; selecting a particular deformable region from a set of deformable regions, the particular deformable region substantially coincident the input location; selectively transitioning the particular deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the deformable region substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting and tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting; and detecting an input, corresponding to the upcoming input, on the particular deformable region.

Abstract: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including an attachment surface, a cavity, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity; a pedestal arranged within the cavity, pivotable within the cavity, and including a mating surface and an exterior surface; a tactile layer including a peripheral region coupled to the attachment surface, a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the pedestal, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the pedestal pivotable within the cavity between a first position and a second position in the retracted setting, the deformable region flush with the peripheral region in the first position and the pedestal partially elevated out of the cavity and the deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the expanded setting.

Abstract: 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: 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: A dynamic tactile interface including a substrate including a fluid conduit, a shelf adjacent the fluid conduit, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit; a flap including a distal end and a proximal end, the flap extending across the fluid conduit and hinged to the substrate at the proximal end; a tactile layer including a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region and arranged over the flap, and a tactile surface opposite the substrate; and a displacement device displacing fluid to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the distal end of the flap engaging the shelf in the retracted setting, and the distal end of the flap lifted off of the shelf and the deformable region in the expanded setting.

Abstract: A method adjusting a user interface experience for a device that includes providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device 10 that manipulates the volume of fluid to deform a particular region of the surface into a tactilely distinguishable formation retrieving a user preference between a first type, location, and/or timing and a second embodiment, location, and/or timing through the user interface, and manipulating the volume of fluid to deform a particular region of the surface into a tactilely distinguishable formation of one of the first and second type, location, and/or timing is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user interface system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and contract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and a sensor system that is configured to receive a user input on the surface with a first sensitivity and configured to receive a user input substantially proximal to the particular region of the surface at with second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity.