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 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 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 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus includes a frame forming a sleeping space. The apparatus includes a climate control system connected to the frame, the climate control system having a hot side and a cold side, wherein the cold side is positioned toward the sleeping space. The apparatus includes an insulating canopy supported by the frame. The insulating canopy includes an outer layer, a separator layer, a reflective layer, and an inner layer. The separator layer provides an air cavity that reduces conductive heat transfer between the surface layer and the reflective layer.

Abstract: A reclining seat for a vehicle includes a seat and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat. The reclining seat also includes an actuator for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat. The actuator includes a lockable reclining mechanism, a motor for selectively unlocking the reclining mechanism and permitting manual adjustment of the inclination of the seat back, and an actuator switch electrically coupled to the motor for selectively energizing the motor.

Abstract: A computing system includes: a status module configured to determine a process profile for capturing a pause point in processing a task; a content module, coupled to the status module, configured to identify a process content for capturing the pause point; an upload module, coupled to the content module, configured to store the process profile and the process content; and a trigger synthesis module, coupled to the upload module, configured to generate a resumption-trigger with a control unit when storing the process profile and the process content for resuming the task from the pause point and for displaying on a device.

Abstract: An airborne wind energy system includes a lift system, a wind power generating system, a tether, and a control system. The lift system including a substantially airtight chamber for storing lighter-than-air gases. The wind power generating system is coupled to the lift system and including two rotating assemblies and a generator. The tether is coupled to the wind power generating system and tethers the airborne wind energy system to the ground. The two rotating assemblies are coupled to the generator and arranged to rotate in opposite directions so that the generator generates electrical power when the two rotating assemblies rotate in opposite directions.

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: An apparatus includes a frame forming a sleeping space. The apparatus includes a climate control system connected to the frame, the climate control system having a hot side and a cold side, wherein the cold side is positioned toward the sleeping space. The apparatus includes an insulating canopy supported by the frame. The insulating canopy includes an outer layer, a separator layer, a reflective layer, and an inner layer.

Abstract: A reclining seat for a vehicle includes a seat and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat. The reclining seat also includes an actuator for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat. The actuator includes a lockable reclining mechanism, a motor for selectively unlocking the reclining mechanism and permitting manual adjustment of the inclination of the seat back, and an actuator switch electrically coupled to the motor for selectively energizing the motor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a convertible space system that is integrated into a floor of an interior cargo area. The convertible space system includes a pair of panels that are moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the deployed position, the pair of panels are extended and integrally positioned on the floor to define a primary load bearing surface. When in the stowed position, the pair of panels are collapsed and positioned on the floor to define vertically extending lateral boundary walls for the cargo area, and to expose a secondary load bearing surface disposed below the primary load bearing surface, thereby increasing the effective height of the interior cargo area.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a convertible space system that is integrated into a floor of an interior cargo area. The convertible space system includes a pair of panels that are moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the deployed position, the pair of panels are extended and integrally positioned on the floor to define a primary load bearing surface. When in the stowed position, the pair of panels are collapsed and positioned on the floor to define vertically extending lateral boundary walls for the cargo area, and to expose a secondary load bearing surface disposed below the primary load bearing surface, thereby increasing the effective height of the interior cargo area.

Abstract: A method for reducing the height of a defect associated with an air bearing surface of a hard disk drive slider is disclosed. The technology initially ion mills for a first period of time at a first angle relative to an air bearing surface of a disk drive slider to remove a first portion of the air bearing surface. Then the technology ion mills for a second period of time at a second angle relative to an air bearing surface of the disk drive slider to remove a second portion of the air bearing surface. The second portion of the air bearing surface comprises a defect wherein the ion milling at the second angle reduces the height of the defect with respect to the air bearing surface.