TACTILE INTERFACE FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE

摘要

Input is detected on a dynamic tactile interface based on pressure events and touch sensor outputs. The dynamic tactile interface includes a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, and a compressible material. When both a pressure event and touch sensor output are correlated to identify an input, the input is processed by a display device associated with the dynamic tactile interface. The flexible material may be implemented as a variable volume associated with a deformable region, such that when the deformable region is depressed the variable volume decreases and the pressure sensor detects increased pressure. The flexible material may be implemented as a compressible layer between two layers that comprise the touch sensor, such that when an input is received on an upper layer of the touch sensor, the middle layer having the flexible volume may compress. The multi-layer touch sensor can be a capacitance touch or resistive touch sensor.

主权项

1. A method for registering user interaction with a dynamic tactile interface comprising a tactile layer and a substrate, the tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a deformable region, the deformable region cooperating with the substrate to form a variable volume filled with a mass of fluid, the method comprising:
detecting a first pressure related event of the mass of fluid at a remote pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the variable volume, the first pressure indicating that the pressure at the remote pressure sensor has increased; in response to detecting the first pressure, detecting a touch by a touch sensor and providing an output by the touch sensor, the touch sensor associated with the deformable region; identifying an intentional touch at the deformable region based on the detected first pressure of the mass of fluid and the output of the touch sensor in response to the identified touch, executing by a processor a command corresponding to the touch at a processor.