Apparatus for providing a three dimensional tactile display of an electronic device

摘要

An apparatus providing a three dimensional tactile sense on a display of an electronic device. The apparatus comprises two layers. The bottom layer is a set of channels that form a matrix along x and y axes. The top layer comprises a matrix of small transparent columns. When the user interface provides the sensation of a three dimensional surface, the corresponding x and y coordinates that are mapped to the three dimensional surface are inflated. The change in volume forces a subset of columns upward in the direction orthogonal to the plane of the screen.

主权项

1. An apparatus for providing a three dimensional tactile sense on a display of an electronic device, comprising:
a first layer atop a plane of the touch screen, the first layer comprising a grid of first tubular channels and second tubular channels, the first tubular channels substantially orthogonal to the second tubular channels; a second layer atop the first layer, the second layer comprising solid columns, the solid columns positioned at intersections of the first tubular channels and the second tubular channels; wherein respective ones of the first tubular channels and respective ones of the second tubular channels are capable of increasing dimensions in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane; and wherein at least one subset of the solid columns is raised in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane so as to provide the three dimensional tactile sense on the display when at least one subset of the first tubular channels and at least one subset of the second tubular channels increase the dimensions in the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane.