U.S. patent application number 14/807646 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for manual fluid actuator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tactus Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mario Sotelo Garcia, JR., Forrest Russell Grinstead, Roman Rak, Curtis A. Ray, Robert Adrian Ray, Micah Yairi.
Application Number | 20160187981 14/807646 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56164085 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160187981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ray; Curtis A. ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
MANUAL FLUID ACTUATOR
Abstract
A dynamic tactile interface includes a dynamic tactile layer and
a manual fluid actuator. The manual fluid actuator includes a
displacement device including a bladder, a platen adjacent the
bladder, an elongated member coupled to the platen, and a rotary
actuator, the elongated member and the rotary actuator translating
rotation of the rotary actuator into translation of the platen, the
platen compressing the bladder in response to rotation of the
rotary actuator in a first direction and expanding the bladder in
response to rotation of the rotary actuator in a second direction
opposite the first direction.
Inventors: |
Ray; Curtis A.; (Fremont,
CA) ; Garcia, JR.; Mario Sotelo; (Fremont, CA)
; Rak; Roman; (Fremont, CA) ; Grinstead; Forrest
Russell; (Fremont, CA) ; Ray; Robert Adrian;
(Fremont, CA) ; Yairi; Micah; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tactus Technology, Inc. |
Fremont |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56164085 |
Appl. No.: |
14/807646 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62028203 |
Jul 23, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F15C 1/007 20130101;
F15B 15/10 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101;
G06F 3/016 20130101; G06F 2203/04809 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/01 20060101
G06F003/01; F15B 15/10 20060101 F15B015/10; G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Claims
1. A dynamic tactile interface, comprising: a substrate defining a
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 a variable volume connected
to the fluid channel, the deformable region 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; and a displacement device including a
rotary actuator, an elongated member coupled to the rotary
actuator, a platen coupled to the elongated member, and bladder
connected to the fluid channel, wherein rotation of the rotary
actuator in a first direction results in compression of the
bladder, thereby displacing a fluid from the bladder through the
fluid channel and into the variable volume to set an expanded
setting of the deformable region.
2. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein rotation of
the rotary actuator in a second direction results in expansion of
the bladder, thereby displacing a fluid from the variable volume
through the fluid channel and into the bladder to set a retracted
setting of the deformable region.
3. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein rotation of
the rotary actuator in the first direction engages the elongated
member to extend the platen in a direction towards the bladder, and
wherein rotation of the rotary actuator in the second direction
engages the elongated member to extend the platen in a direction
away from the bladder.
4. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein rotary
actuator includes a non-circular shaped cross section, an outer
surface of the rotary actuator engaging the elongated member,
wherein rotation of the rotary actuator causes the elongated member
to move against a platen as the non-circular shaped cross-section
engages the elongated member.
5. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein rotary
actuator is coupled to two or more elongated members, wherein each
of the elongated members is displaced as the rotary actuator is
engaged by a user.
6. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 5, wherein a first
elongated member of the two or more elongated members engages a
first platen to compress and expand a first bladder and a second
elongated member of the two or more elongated members engages a
second platen to compress and expand a second bladder.
7. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 6, wherein the first
elongated member of the two or more elongated members compresses a
bladder to set a state for a deformable region in a first set of
deformable regions and the second elongated member of the two or
more elongated members compresses a bladder to set a state for a
deformable region in a second set of deformable regions.
8. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 6, wherein turning the
rotary actuator in the first direction causes the first elongated
member to compress the first bladder with the first platen and
causes the second elongated member to expand the second bladder
with the second platen, wherein turning the rotary actuator in the
second direction causes the first elongated member to expand the
first bladder with the first platen and causes the second elongated
member to compress the second bladder with the second platen.
9. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the rotary
actuator is coupled to two elongated members, wherein each
elongated member is non-linearly shaped and connected to a platen
that compresses and expands a bladder.
10. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 9, wherein the
non-linearly shaped elongated members intersect to restrict
rotation of the rotary actuator beyond the point of collision
between the two non-linearly shaped elongated members. ii. The
dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the rotary actuator
includes an outer circular surface, the outer circular surface
including a user engagement feature that extends from the outer
circular surface and is engaged by the user to move the rotary
actuator in a radial direction.
12. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the rotary
actuator includes a cross section, the cross section including a
user engagement feature that extends from the cross section and is
engaged by the user to move the rotary actuator in a radial
direction.
13. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, wherein the platen is
attached to a portion of the bladder, wherein movement of the
rotary actuator when the bladder is compressed causes the elongated
member to pull the platen away from the bladder and expand the
bladder.
14. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a
second rotary actuator coupled to a second elongated member, the
second elongated member connected to a second platen, the second
platen adjacent to a second bladder, the first and the second
bladder connected to the fluid channel, the first bladder having a
first volume and the second bladder having a second volume that is
less than the first volume.
15. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a
second rotary actuator coupled to a second elongated member, the
second elongated member connected to a second platen, the second
platen adjacent to a second bladder, the first and the second
bladder connected to the fluid channel, the first elongated member
having a first length and the second elongated member having a
second length that is less than the first length.
16. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 1, further including a
spring mechanism, the rotary actuator coupled to the spring
actuator, the spring mechanism causing a rotary actuator upper
surface to be extended above the upper surface of a dynamic tactile
interface housing in a protruding state, the spring mechanism
causing the rotary actuator upper surface being flush or below the
upper surface of the dynamic tactile interface housing in a
retracted state.
17. A dynamic tactile interface, comprising: a substrate defining a
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 a variable volume connected
to the fluid channel, the deformable region 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; and a displacement device including a
rotary actuator a bladder, the bladder connected to the fluid
channel, wherein rotation of the rotary actuator in a first
direction results in compression of the bladder, thereby displacing
a fluid from the bladder through the fluid channel and into the
variable volume to set an expanded setting of the deformable
region.
18. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 17, wherein rotary
actuator is coupled to a rotor, the bladder including a tube, the
rotor engaging a tube connected to the fluid channel, wherein the
rotary actuator moves the rotor to pump fluid from the tube into
the variable volume.
19. The dynamic tactile interface of claim 17, wherein rotary
actuator engages a first rotor and a second rotor, the first rotor
pumping water through a first tube having a first volume of fluid,
the second rotor pumping water through a second tube having a
second volume of fluid that is larger than the first volume of
fluid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/028,203, filed on 23 Jul. 2014, which is
incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/969,848, filed on 4 Jan. 2008, U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/414,589, filed 7 Mar. 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/456,010, filed 25 Apr. 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/456,031, filed 25 Apr. 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/465,737, filed 7 May 2012, U.S. patent application Ser.
13/465,772, filed 7 May 2012, and U.S. Patent Application No.
61/727,083, filed on 15 Nov. 2012, all of which are incorporated in
their entireties by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates generally to touch-sensitive
displays, and more specifically to a new and useful dynamic tactile
interface in the field of touch-sensitive displays.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0004] FIG. 1 is a flowchart representation of one embodiment of
the invention;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a flowchart representation of one variation of the
dynamic tactile interface;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of one variation of the
dynamic tactile interface;
[0007] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are schematic representations of
one variation of the dynamic tactile interface;
[0008] FIG. 5A is a flowchart representation of one variation of
the dynamic tactile interface;
[0009] FIG. 5B is a flowchart representation of one variation of
the dynamic tactile interface;
[0010] FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of one variation of
the dynamic tactile interface.
[0011] FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of one variation of
the dynamic tactile interface.
[0012] FIG. 6C is a schematic representation of one variation of
the dynamic tactile interface.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of one variation of the
dynamic tactile interface.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one variation of the
dynamic tactile interface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The following description of the invention is not intended
to limit the invention to these embodiments, but rather to enable
any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.
1. Dynamic Tactile Interface
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a dynamic tactile interface includes: a
dynamic tactile layer and a manual fluid actuator. The dynamic
tactile layer includes: 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. The manual fluid actuator includes:
a displacement device including a bladder, a platen adjacent the
bladder, an elongated member coupled to the platen, and a rotary
actuator, the elongated member and the rotary actuator translating
rotation of the rotary actuator into translation of the platen, the
platen compressing the bladder in response to rotation of the
rotary actuator in a first direction and expanding the bladder in
response to rotation of the rotary actuator in a second direction
opposite the first direction; and a user engagement feature coupled
to the rotary actuator.
2. Applications
[0017] The manual fluid actuator can interface with a dynamic
tactile interface coupled to a computing device (e.g., a
smartphone), to provide intermittent tactile guidance to a user
entering an input into an input region on the device, such as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/414,589. For
example, the dynamic tactile layer can be integrated into or
applied over a touchscreen of a mobile computing device to provide
tactile guidance to a user interacting with the touchscreen to
control the device. The dynamic tactile layer can include a
deformable region, which can be planar or flush with the first
region in the retracted setting and can be raised above (i.e.,
offset above) the first region to define a tactilely
distinguishable feature on the tactile layer in the expanded
setting. In this implementation, the deformable region can coincide
with (i.e., be arranged over) an input key rendered on a display of
the device, such that the deformable region mimics a raised key in
the expanded setting, thus tactilely guiding entry of the
corresponding input key into a touch sensor of the device by a
user. The deformable region can then be retracted to yield a flush,
smooth, and/or continuous surface and substantially minimal optical
distortion across both the first region and the deformable region.
For example, a user can manually actuate the displacement device
just before providing an input on the touchscreen, such as with a
finger or stylus, and the displacement device can thus transition
the deformable region into the expanded setting to provide tactile
guidance to the user during entry of inputs onto the touchscreen.
The user can then actuate the displacement device to transition the
deformable region back to the retracted setting when the user is no
longer desires tactile guidance across the tactile layer or is no
longer providing inputs to the touchscreen such that the deformable
region returns to substantially flush with the peripheral region,
thereby yielding reduced optical distortion of an image output by
the display and transmitted through the tactile layer.
[0018] In particular, the dynamic tactile interface can incorporate
a dynamic tactile layer as described in U.S. patent application
Ser. Nos. 11/969,848, 13/414,589, 13/456,010, 13/456,031,
13/465,737, and 13/465,772, and the manual fluid actuator can
incorporate additional components that cooperate with the dynamic
tactile interface to manually displace fluid into and out of the
bladder in order to expand and retract one or more deformable
regions of the dynamic tactile layer. For example, the dynamic
tactile interface can function as an aftermarket housing for a
computing device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a gaming
controller, etc., wherein a dynamic tactile layer can be applied
over a display of the computing device. In this example, the user
engagement feature coupled to the rotary actuator can define a
knob, lever, or recess, and a user can operate the dynamic tactile
interface by engaging the user engagement feature to rotate the
rotary actuator, thereby expanding or retracting the deformable
region(s) of the dynamic tactile layer. The aftermarket housing can
also include a shell including two halves that can lock together to
surround (e.g., encase) the computing device such that the dynamic
tactile layer lies substantially over the digital display. In
particular, a user operating a text input application on the
computing device can manually actuate the manual fluid actuator by
rotating the user engagement feature lever coupled to the rotary
actuator in order to expand the deformable regions arranged in a
position across the dynamic tactile layer substantially
corresponding to a positions of an image of a corresponding key of
a keyboard. Thus, by rotating a knob arranged on a face of the
aftermarket housing, such as opposite a digital display of the
computing device coupled to the aftermarket housing, the user can
erect a set of tactilely distinguishable formations--in the form of
a keyboard layout--providing tactile guidance for text input over
the digital display.
3. Dynamic Tactile Layer
[0019] The dynamic tactile interface can include and/or interface
with a dynamic tactile layer including a substrate, the dynamic
tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region
adjacent the deformable region and coupled to the substrate
opposite the dynamic tactile layer, and the deformable region
cooperating with the substrate to form a variable volume filled
with a mass of fluid. Generally, the dynamic tactile layer defines
one or more deformable regions operable between expanded and
retracted settings to intermittently define tactilely
distinguishable formations over a surface, such as over a
touch-sensitive digital display (e.g., a touchscreen), such as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/414,589.
4. Displacement Device
[0020] The displacement device of the manual fluid actuator
includes a bladder, a rotary actuator, an elongated member coupled
to a first end of the rotary actuator, and a platen coupled to a
second end of the elongated member. The platen can compress the
bladder in response to rotation of the rotary actuator in a first
direction to displace fluid from the bladder. Generally, the
displacement device can function to displace fluid from the bladder
to the variable volume, such as via a fluid channel, to transition
the deformable region adjacent the variable volume from the
retracted setting into the expanded setting. For example, the
deformable region can be flush with an adjacent first region in the
retracted setting and can be offset above and tactilely
distinguishable from the first region in the expanded setting. The
displacement device can also transition the deformable region from
the expanded setting into the retracted setting. For example, the
platen can expand (e.g., stretch) the bladder in response to
rotation of the rotary actuator in a second direction opposite the
first direction to draw fluid from the variable volume back into
the bladder via the fluid channel. The bladder of the displacement
device can therefore be coupled to the variable volume of the
dynamic tactile layer via a fluid channel.
[0021] The rotary actuator of the displacement device can include a
knob, a wheel, a rotary lever, or any other shape of rotary control
that rotates about an axis (e.g., substantially about a center of
the rotary control). Generally, the rotary actuator functions as a
control that transfers a user input (e.g., the rotation on a user
engagement feature structure) into the bladder, such as via the
elongated member and the platen, to initiate actuation of fluid
displacement. The rotary actuator can be coupled to an external
surface with substantially the same contour as the interfacing
surface of the rotary actuator. A shaft, pin, or any other suitable
fastener couples the rotary actuator to the external surface at the
axis of the rotary actuator. Thus, the pin allows the rotary
actuator to rotate about the axis without substantial translation
away from the pin and the external surface. The rotary actuator can
slide rotationally along the external surface. Alternatively, the
rotary actuator can rotate without contacting the external surface,
the pin restricting the rotation of the rotary actuator to a plane
orthogonal to the axis. In another implementation, rotary actuator
can rotate about an eccentric axis radially offset from the center
of the rotary actuator. In this implementation, a path formed by
tracing the outer edge of the rotary actuator as it travels around
the eccentric axis forms a substantially elliptical path. The
rotary actuator can also include a stepped cylinder that rotates
within a bore, such that the stepped cylinder rotates about a
central axis of the cylinder and the steps of the cylinder
substantially prevent translational motion of the cylinder out of
the bore.
[0022] In one example, the rotary actuator can include a cylinder
that rotates about central axis through the planar faces of the
cylinder. The cylinder can include two planar surfaces: one planar
surface that rotates on or adjacent to a sliding surface; and an
exposed planar surface opposite the interfacing planar surface, the
exposed planar surface coupled to a user engagement feature with
which a user can manually rotate the rotary actuator.
[0023] In another example shown in FIG. 1, the rotary actuator can
include a substantially teardrop-shaped or egg-shaped cross-section
that rotates about an axis located at the focus of the circular
portion of the cross-section or at the center of area of the
teardrop cross-section.
[0024] In another example, the rotary actuator can include a
spheroidal actuator that functions like a globe rotating within a
cage. The spheroidal actuator can be coupled to a concave external
surface into which the spheroidal shape of the rotary actuator fits
concentrically. The spheroidal actuator rotates about an axis
spanning the diameter of the sphere through the center of the
sphere and coupled to the minimum of the concavity formed by the
concave external surface. A pin couples the spheroidal actuator to
the concavity such that the pin corresponds to the rotational axis
of the spheroidal actuator. Thus, the sphere can rotate about the
pin with the pin substantially preventing the sphere from moving
away from the concave external surface.
[0025] The rotary actuator can further include one or more endstops
that define travel limits for rotation of the rotary actuator.
Generally, endstops can restrict rotation of the rotary actuator to
an arcuate range, such as between a first arcuate position
corresponding to the retracted setting of the deformable region and
a second arcuate position corresponding to the expanded setting of
the deformable region, and the rotary actuator can be free to
rotate within the arcuate range. However at the travel limits of
the rotary actuator, endstops on the rotary actuator can collide
with a surface, ridge, edge, or feature defined by a structure
supporting the rotary actuator. For example, as described above,
the manual fluid actuator can include an aftermarket housing
including a that encases (a portion of) a computing device and
defines a bore opposite a display of the computing device, the
rotary actuator can be captured within the bore and define a
sub-circumferential recess about a perimeter of the rotary
actuator, and the aftermarket housing can define a protrusion
(e.g., a tab, a finger) that extends into the recess of the rotary
actuator to restrict rotation of the rotary actuator at extremes of
the recess. Alternatively, the rotary actuator can include a
protrusion that extends into a recess defined in the aftermarket
housing. Thus, the endstop(s) can prevent the rotary actuator from
over-compressing or expanding a bladder, and the endstop(s)
therefore can be calibrated to restrict the range of actuation of
the manual fluid actuator to what is required to transition a
deformable region to a desired height relative to the first region
in the expanded setting.
[0026] The displacement device can further include one or more
elongated members coupled to the rotary actuator. The elongated
members can include a connecting rod, a piston, or any other
mechanical linkage suitable to translate the force applied by the
rotary actuator along the elongated member in order to move a
platen on the opposite end of the elongated member. The elongated
member can be linear, non-linear, and/or include multiple elongated
members fixed at angles to one another. The elongated member can be
coupled to the rotary actuator by a pin that fixes five degrees of
freedom of the rotary actuator but allows rotational motion of the
elongated member about the pin. Alternatively, the elongated member
can include a rolling mechanism, such as a ball-in-socket, captured
roller, or wheel, that engages and rolls along a circumferential
surface of the rotary actuator (e.g., parallel to the axis rotation
of the rotary actuator). Yet alternatively, the elongated member
can similarly define a surface that slides along the
circumferential surface of the rotary actuator.
[0027] In one example, a (planar) interior face of the rotary
actuator defines a shaft, and one end of the elongated member is
coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft allows the elongated member
to rotate relative to the rotary actuator (e.g., in the plane of
the planar face) but substantially restricts translational motion
of the elongated member. The shaft can be situated at a position on
the (planar) face located at a distance radially offset from the
rotational center (or "central axis") of the rotary actuator. As
shown in FIG. 2, as the rotary actuator rotates about the central
axis, the offset position of the shaft traces a substantially
(semi)circular path, which is following by the connected end of the
elongated member. In this example, an opposite end of the elongated
member is coupled to the platen. The opposite end of the elongated
member can translate toward and away from the bladder, such as
along a linear path perpendicular to the adjacent bladder. Thus,
the rotary actuator and the elongated member can function
substantially as an overcenter mechanism. In particular, through
rotation, the rotary actuator drives the far end of the elongated
member linearly into and away from the bladder to compress and
release (or expand) the bladder, respectively.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the elongated member can further form a
non-linear shape, such as an L-like shape or other "kink", in order
to extend the range of the rotation of the rotary actuator by
avoiding a collision between the pin that forms the rotational axis
and the elongated member. Additionally, the displacement device can
also include a second elongated member coupled to the rotary
actuator by a second shaft extending from a surface of the rotary
actuator and offset from the central axis of the rotary actuator.
The elongated member can be phased 180 degrees from the (first)
shaft connecting the (first) elongated member to the rotary
actuator. The first and second elongated members can define
non-linear structures with kinks in order to extend the rotational
range of the rotary actuator. The intersection of the two elongated
members may restrict rotation of the rotary actuator beyond the
point of collision between the two members. Thus, the elongated
members can acts as stops calibrated to accommodate a desired
translational distance of the elongated member.
[0029] In another example, the rotary actuator defines a
teardrop-shaped cam (or a cam of any other suitable geometry) and
actuators the elongated member defining a cam follower. The cam
follower can be adjacent the cam and can roll or slide along a
surface of the cam as the cam rotates around an axis, such as while
a user manually rotates the rotary actuator. In one example
implementation, the follower, coupled to a spring and a linear
bearing, is substantially constrained to a single degree of freedom
such that the follower moves in a substantially linear direction,
such as normal to the surface of the cam on which the follower
rolls. The linear bearing substantially restricts motion of the
follow to a single, translational degree of freedom. The spring
presses the follower into the cam such that the follower maintains
contact with the cam. A rolling (or sliding) end of the follower
rolls along the surface of the cam. As the cam rotates, the
follower translates linearly in a path corresponding to the profile
of the cam. A pressing end of the follower opposite the rolling (or
sliding) end is coupled to (or defines) a platen adjacent or
coupled directly to the bladder such that rotation of the rotary
actuator--and thus the cam--in one direction translates the
follower and the platen into the bladder to displace fluid out of
the bladder and into the dynamic tactile layer.
[0030] The bladder of the displacement device is fluidly coupled to
the variable volume by a fluid channel. The bladder can be situated
adjacent the first end of the elongated member. The bladder can
include a flexible boundary coupled to a platen that compresses the
bladder due to the motion of the elongated member and rotary
actuator. Alternatively, the bladder can include a rigid boundary
with an interface for the elongated member. For example, the
bladder can include a piston that corresponds to the cross-section
of the bladder and is coupled to the first end of the elongated
member, the piston applying force directly to fluid within the
bladder. Alternatively, the bladder can be partially rigid and
partially flexible. For example, the bladder can include a
substantially cuboidal bladder with a vacuum-formed or 3D-printed
channel with three sides and a flexible sheet of plastic, rubber,
etc. that covers the open end(s) of the cuboidal bladder. The
fourth side of the cuboidal bladder connects to a fluid channel,
which couples the bladder to the variable volume of the dynamic
tactile interface. Displacement of the flexible sheet causes a
change to the volume of the bladder. Thus, the displacement of the
flexible sheet causes a displacement of the volume of fluid from
the bladder.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, in another implementation, the
displacement device can include two bladders, which can house a two
disparate volumes of fluid that can be displaced from the bladders
to transition the deformable region between retracted settings and
expanded settings. The two bladders can be coupled to different
variable volumes or sets of variable volumes within the dynamic
tactile layer. In one example, a first bladder can be coupled to a
set of variable volumes corresponding a keyboard layout (e.g., a
landscape keyboard layout) and the second bladder can be coupled to
a set of variable volumes corresponding to a second keyboard layout
(e.g., a portrait keyboard layout). By compressing the first
bladder, the first keyboard layout of deformable regions can be
transitioned to the expanded setting, creating a tactile keyboard
of the first keyboard layout. By compressing the second bladder,
the second keyboard layout of deformable regions can be
transitioned to the expanded setting independently of the first
keyboard. The rotary actuator can preferentially compress the first
or the second bladder such that by compressing the first bladder,
the rotary actuator expands the second bladder. Thus, only one
keyboard can be expanded at a time. Alternatively, the first and
second bladder can be compressed simultaneously allowing the rotary
actuator to distribute the force required to transition the
deformable regions across the two bladders. In another example, the
second bladder can be compressed only after the first bladder has
been compressed. For example, the displacement device can include
two elongated members coupled to the rotary actuator, the elongated
members phased at an angle, such that by rotating the rotary
actuator clockwise to a first position, a first elongated member
compresses a first bladder while a second bladder remains
uncompressed by a second elongated member. By continuing to rotate
the rotary actuator clockwise beyond the first position, the second
elongated member can engage and compress the second bladder. Thus,
the second bladder can function to display additional deformable
regions absent from the first keyboard layout.
[0032] The platen of the displacement device is coupled to an end
of the elongated member opposite the rotary actuator. The platen
can include a pushing face that is substantially planar, concave,
convex, and/or any other profile suitable for directly compressing
the bladder. The platen can be fixed to the elongated member and/or
can cooperate with the elongated member to define a continuous
structure. Alternatively, the platen can be pinned to the elongated
member, such as with a pin or shaft that fixes the elongated member
to the platen in five degrees of freedom but allows rotation of
platen relative to the elongated member. Thus the platen can
function as a piston coupled to the elongated member that functions
as a connecting rod.
[0033] The platen can also be connected or "fixed" to the boundary
of the bladder. For example, to displace fluid out of the bladder,
the platen can compress the bladder by compressing the bladder
toward a rigid surface of the aftermarket housing, a rigid surface
of the computing device, or a second platen, thereby reducing the
volume of the bladder and expanding a deformable region from the
retracted setting into the expanded setting. In this example to
draw fluid back into the bladder from the dynamic tactile layer,
the platen can actively expand the bladder by drawing the bladder
boundary away from the rigid surface, to which the bladder can also
be connected, thereby increasing the volume of the bladder and
retracting a deformable region from the expanded setting into the
retracted setting. Increasing the volume of the bladder prior to
fluid displacement causes a decrease in the pressure within the
bladder. Thus the increase in the volume of the bladder creates a
vacuum that draws fluid into the bladder, restoring an equilibrium
pressure.
[0034] In another implementation, the rotary actuator is coupled
directly to the platen. In this implementation, the rotary actuator
and the platen function as a cam and follower. The platen can be
coupled to a track, way, linear bearing, etc. that allows the
platen to translate with a single degree of freedom. Thus, the
rotation of the rotary actuator causes the platen to translate into
the bladder and to thus compress the adjacent bladder.
[0035] The dynamic tactile interface can further include a user
engagement feature structure coupled to the rotary actuator that
allows a user to manually operate the rotary actuator and the other
components of the displacement device. As shown in FIG. 4C, the
user engagement feature structure can include a lever coupled to
the rotary actuator. For example, the lever can extend from the
substantially rounded surface of a rotary actuator with a circular
cross-section. A user can apply force to the lever, thereby turning
the rotary actuator. In another example shown in FIG. 4B, a lever
can extend from a planar surface of the rotary actuator opposite
with the external surface along which the rotary actuator slides.
In this example, the lever can extend normally forming a scalloped
perimeter handle across the diameter of a substantially circular
rotary actuator. A user can rotate the rotary actuator handle by
applying a moment to the handle. In another example shown in FIG.
4A, the user engagement feature structure can include a divot or
depression in the planar surface of the rotary actuator opposite
the external surface such that the divot or depression can
accommodate a finger. The divot can be located offset radially from
the center of rotation for the rotary actuator. Thus, a user can
rotate the rotary actuator by applying a moment to the divot with a
finger. Alternatively, the user engagement feature structure can
include a knob coupled to the rotary actuator, as shown in FIG. 4D.
The knob can include ridges, edges, divots, etc. on the cylindrical
face in order to provide a frictional surface to improve the grip
of a user actuating the rotary actuator with a finger or a hand.
Alternatively, the rotary actuator can incorporate gear teeth about
its perimeter, and the gear teeth can engage teeth of a linear gear
rack that can be manipulated linearly by a user to rotate the
rotary actuator, thereby expanded and retracted the deformable
region(s).
[0036] The manual fluid actuator can further include a housing for
a computing device such that the housing can substantially protect
the components of the computing device and the tactile layer from
physical impact and/or environmental contaminants, such as water,
sand, debris, etc. The housing can be coupled to a computing device
with an integrated display. The housing can include the dynamic
tactile interface situated adjacent the integrated display and a
primary shell surrounding electrical and hardware features of the
computing device and acting as a primary barrier separating the
computing device from the surrounding environment. Alternatively,
the housing can include an aftermarket housing that surrounds a
computing device with an existing primary barrier.
[0037] The displacement device can displace fluid from the bladder
by compressing the bladder. In order to compress the bladder, the
rotary actuator, elongated member, and platen can push the bladder
against a rigid surface within the computing device or within the
housing. Alternatively, the displacement device can pull the
bladder toward the rigid surface. For example, the elongated member
can be coupled to a tray or other container including the bladder,
the platen, and a surface on which the bladder rests. An additional
platen or wall coupled to the housing can be located substantially
between the elongated member and the bladder. The elongated member
can be coupled to the tray. As the elongated member moves, the tray
moves. Compression of the bladder occurs by pulling the tray and,
therefore, the bladder toward the stationary wall. Alternatively, a
peristaltic tube can be arranged (circumferentially) about the
rotary actuator, and the rotary actuator can define a rotor that
engages the peristaltic tube to displace fluid from the peristaltic
tube as the rotary actuator rotates relative to the peristaltic
tube. The peristaltic tube and the rotor can thus define a
peristaltic pump that pumps fluid to and from the reservoir, as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/081,519, which is
incorporated in its entirety by this reference, and as shown in
FIG. 6A.
[0038] In an implementation, the manual fluid actuator may include
two or more rotors for engaging a respective peristaltic tube. Each
peristaltic tube can be separately engaged by a rotary actuator
rotor. The user can manipulate the rotary actuator to select a
particular peristaltic tube via a rotor. The rotary actuator may
have a rotational axis that is perpendicular to a surface of the
dynamic tactile interface and may be manipulated in at least two
ways: 1) in a rotational direction to move a selected peristaltic
tube, and 2) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction
to engage a particular peristaltic tube. The rotary actuator may be
coupled to a shaft that includes a gear or teeth. The rotary
actuator may be depressed into a housing to select a particular
rotor for engaging a particular peristaltic tube. A spring
mechanism can be implemented to allow the rotary actuator to stay
in place to engage a particular rotor and corresponding peristaltic
tube. Each rotor, in turn, may engage a peristaltic tube, wherein
all the peristaltic tubes are connected together to provide fluid
through a fluid channel in order to expand and retract a deformable
region with fluid.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6C, the rotors can have a different size,
and each peristaltic tube may have a size that is comparable to the
rotor size, such that the different rotors may displace different
amounts a fluid with a similar amount of rotation applied by a user
with a physical force to the rotary actuator. For example, a first
selected rotor may have a smaller size, and may provide a small
displacement of fluid from a bladder through a fluid channel. The
smaller rotor and corresponding peristaltic tube can allow a user
to make fine adjustments in the amount of expansion or retraction
of a deformable region, and provide calibration for fluid loss or
other effects. The larger rotor and corresponding peristaltic tube
can allow a user to make larger adjustments in the amount of
expansion or retraction of a deformable region, and may be used as
the primary means to expand and retract the deformable region.
[0040] Multiple granularities of rotary adjustment may be
implemented in several ways. In an implementation associated with
the system of FIG. 1, the tear-shaped actuator may be implemented
with different granularities of fluid displacement from a bladder.
In an example, the tear-shaped actuator may include a single switch
that can be physically engaged by a user but with multiple tear or
egg-shaped protrusions that may compress a bladder. Each of the
multiple tear protrusions may manipulate an elongated member to
cause a platen to engage the bladder. The multiple tear shaped
protrusion may form a star-shaped actuator. Moving the switch
different distances along a switch access may allow different tear
portions to engage the elongated member, resulting in different
levels of bladder compression and expansion. The interface of FIG.
1 may also include more than one lever, wherein each lever can be
coupled with a different tear shaped actuator. In this
implementation, moving different levers may cause a different
volume of fluid displacement to and from the bladder, which could
be used to make fine-tune adjustments to the fluid circuit
comprising the bladder, fluid channel, and variable volume, for
example to calibrate the fluid circuit and compensate for fluid
loss, and to make larger fluid displacements, for example causing
the variable volume to expand and retract the size the deformable
region.
[0041] In the implementation associated with FIG. 2, the rotary
actuator may include multiple rotary actuators. A first rotary
actuator may operate as illustrated. Specifically, a shaft can be
situated at a position on the (planar) face located at a distance
radially offset from the rotational center of the rotary actuator,
and as the rotary actuator rotates about the central axis, the
offset position of the shaft traces a substantially (semi)circular
path, and, through rotation, the rotary actuator drives the far end
of the elongated member linearly into and away from the bladder to
compress and release (or expand) the bladder, respectively. A
second rotary actuator may operation similarly to the first rotary
actuator, and be positioned alongside the first rotary actuator,
but may include a rotary actuator having a different radius than
the first rotary actuator, or having a non-circular shape, such
that a rotation of a certain distance, for example ninety degrees,
provides a first volume of fluid to be displaced in the bladder by
the first rotary actuator and a rotation of the same distance in
the second rotary actuator causes a second and different volume of
fluid to be displaced in bladder. By having rotary actuators that
displace different volumes of fluid from the bladder in the dynamic
tactile interface of FIG. 2, the different rotary actuators can
make fine-tune adjustments to the fluid circuit to calibrate the
fluid circuit and compensate for fluid loss, and can make larger
fluid displacements, for example causing the deformable region to
expand and contract.
[0042] In an implementation with an elongated member that forms an
L-like shape or other "kink", the displacement device can include a
first L-shaped elongated member and a second L-shaped elongated
member. Each elongated member may be connected to a separate rotary
actuator, each of which may be engaged by a user applying a
physical force to the particular rotary actuator which is
accessible via an opening in the housing of the dynamic tactile
interface. A first L-shaped elongated member may displace a platen,
which may be attached to a bladder, which in turn applies a
pressure to the bladder, causing the bladder to force fluid through
a fluid channel and into the variable volume, causing a deformable
region adjacent to the variable volume to expand. The second
L-shaped elongated member may operate in a similar manner to the
first L-shaped, except the lengths of the two or more members that
implement the elongated members may be shorter than the
corresponding lengths of the first L-shaped elongated member. By
having connected elongated members that are different lengths, they
two rotary actuators can displace different volumes of fluid from
the bladder, and different rotary actuators can be used to make
fine-tune adjustments to the fluid circuit for calibration and
compensation purposes as well as make larger fluid displacements,
for example causing the deformable region to expand and
contract.
[0043] In one example, the manual fluid actuator includes an
aftermarket housing for a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a
tablet) including a touchscreen, wherein the aftermarket housing
substantially surrounds a shell of the computing device. The
aftermarket housing includes a dynamic tactile interface that lies
over the touchscreen of the computing device. The aftermarket
housing includes a protective plastic outer shell that surrounds
the tablet to protect the tablet from impact or other physical
damage. The aftermarket housing can be assembled by a user by
locking two halves of the aftermarket housing together with a
latching mechanism, locking pins, bolts or other fasteners, etc.
One half includes the dynamic tactile layer surrounded by a border
of plastic or any other material. The plastic border defines fluid
channels fluidly coupled to variable volumes and deformable
regions. A second half includes the displacement device, including
the bladder, the platen, the elongated member, the user engagement
feature structure, and the rotary actuator. The second half couples
over a rear of the tablet opposite the touchscreen (i.e., the
back). The side of the second half adjacent the tablet includes a
bladder in the form of a vacuum-formed channel in the plastic of
the second half. A thin plastic sheet of plastic and/or rubber
substantially encloses a portion of the bladder to contain fluid. A
fluid channel couples to the bladder such that fluid can be
displaced from the bladder through the fluid channel. The fluid
channel can include a corresponding fluid channel in the other half
of the aftermarket housing that allows the fluid channel to
communicate fluid from one half of the aftermarket housing to the
other half. The fluid channel can further include a valve that can
be actuated open when the two halves of the aftermarket housing are
locked together and can be actuated closed when the halves are
separated. The valve can be actuated open by the locking mechanism
of the aftermarket housing. For example, when a user slides a pin
into a slot to lock the aftermarket housing halves together, the
pin can depress a lever that opens the valve, allowing fluid to
travel from one half to the other. The valve can be spring-loaded
so that the resting state of the valve is closed. Thus, a force by
a lever actuated by the insertion of the pin in the slot can
function to open the valve. The second half of the aftermarket
housing can include the user engagement feature structure arranged
on or extending through an external surface of the housing. The
user engagement feature structure can be a substantially circular
knob with a thin profile and a lever extending radially outward
from the cylindrical face of the knob. As shown in FIG. 2, to
actuate the displacement device, a user can rotate the lever
clockwise from an initial position to transition a set of
deformable regions of the dynamic tactile layer into expanded
settings in a portrait keyboard layout. To retract the deformable
regions, the user can return the lever counterclockwise to the
initial position. To transition another set of deformable regions
of the dynamic tactile layer into expanded settings in a landscape
keyboard layout, the user can rotate the lever counterclockwise
from the initial position. In another example, the bladder can
couple to the first half of the aftermarket housing.
[0044] In another example, the displacement device can include a
spring-loaded rotary actuator. The rotary actuator can be coupled
to a torsional spring that allows the rotary actuator to rotate
under an applied torsion and then returns the spring to an initial
position when the applied torque has been removed. In this example,
a pin, latch, etc. can lock the rotary actuator in an actuating
position when the rotary actuator causes the elongated member
and/or platen to compress the bladder. When a user would like to
retract the deformable regions, the user can rotate the rotary
actuator slightly further away from the initial position in order
to remove the pin or latch, remove the pin or latch, and allow the
spring to return the rotary actuator to the initial position.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 5A, the dynamic tactile interface can
include an overcam mechanism defined by the elongated member phased
such that a user applying a torque rotating the rotary actuator to
a second position within in an arcuate range of an initial position
causes the rotary actuator to default back to the initial position
when the torque is removed. When the user torques the user
engagement feature and, thus, the rotary actuator, beyond the
second position, and then the torque is removed, the rotary
actuator defaults to a final position. In this example, the
elongated member can be phased such that within a predetermined
range of rotation of the rotary actuator, compression of the
bladder causes a reaction force to travel along the elongated
member, resisting the rotation, and forcing the rotary actuator to
return to the initial position when the torque is removed. When a
user rotates the rotary actuator beyond a position corresponding to
connecting shaft is substantially orthogonal to the reaction force
vector, the reaction force drives the rotary actuator to default to
a position substantially opposite the initial position.
[0046] In the implementation of FIG. 5A, the overcam mechanism may
include one or more stops that, when the elongated member is
rotated, stop the range of rotation at a particular point when a
stop guide on the elongated member engages the stop member
implemented in the dynamic tactile interface. The stop member may
be positioned so as to provide a desired level of bladder
compression, which displaces fluid through a fluid channel and
causes the deformable region to transition into an expanded state.
The stop member would be displaced such that the elongated member
would have to rotate at least ninety degrees, such that the torque,
when the elongated member was up against the stop member, would
keep the elongated member in place by applying a pressure against
the stop member. In this implementation, a user could rotate the
portion of the elongated member that extended through a housing, up
until the rotation is effectively stopped by the stop member. The
stopping point would provide a calibrated amount of fluid to be
removed from the bladder via a moving platen, through the fluid
channel, and thereby expanding the deformable region. The user may
then rotate the elongated member backwards, in the opposite rotary
direction that provided the deformable region to expand, until the
elongated member comes in contact with a second stop member,
positioned to stop the elongated member's rotational travel at the
original resting point. When at the original resting point, the
bladder can be in a fully expanded state, and the deformable region
in a full retracted state.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5B, the dynamic tactile interface may
include a rotary actuator that engages a slide for compressing and
expanding a bladder with fluid. The rotary actuator may extend
slightly above the surface of a housing of the dynamic tactile
interface. The rotary actuator can include teeth on an outer
surface of the rotary actuator that engage teeth in slide. As the
rotary element is rotated, the teeth on the surface of the rotary
actuator engage the teeth on the slide, causing the slide to move
in a lateral direction towards or away from the bladder of fluid,
depending on the direction of rotation resulting from the physical
force applied by a user to the rotary actuator. When the rotary
actuator is rotated in a first direction, an elongated
member--which may be part of the slide--may force a platen into the
bladder, thereby causing the bladder to contract and forcing fluid
out of the bladder, and causing fluid to expand the deformable
region. When the rotary actuator is rotated in a second direction,
the elongated member or slide may force a platen away from the
bladder, causing the bladder to expand and forcing fluid into the
bladder, and causing fluid to retract the deformable region. The
rotary actuator may engage one or more stops that, when a portion
of the rotary actuator engages the stop, no further rotation of the
rotary actuator is possible. A stop may be positioned so as to
provide a desired level of bladder compression, which displaces
fluid through a fluid channel and causes the deformable region to
transition into an expanded state with the proper amount of fluid.
Thus, the stopping point would provide a calibrated amount of fluid
to be removed from the bladder via a moving platen, through the
fluid channel, and thereby expanding the deformable region. The
user may then rotate the rotary actuator in the opposite rotary
direction that provided the deformable region to expand, until the
elongated member comes in contact with a second stop member,
positioned to stop travel of the slide and the corresponding
rotational travel of the rotation actuator at a point which
withdraws fluid from the deformable region and into the
bladder.
[0048] In an embodiment, the point at which the elongated member is
coupled to the rotary actuator may be adjusted. The adjustable
connection may be implemented using a button, a spring, one or more
pins the button, and holes in the elongated member and the rotary
actuator. The button pin may travel through one of the plurality of
holes in the elongated member as well as one of the holes of the
rotary actuator. The spring may provide a tension to keep the
button pin fully extended through the elongated member and into the
rotary member. A user may lift and move the button pin along a
track, for example provided by a housing, to adjust the position of
the elongated member with respect to the rotary actuator. For a
first and default configuration, the elongated member may be
coupled to the rotary actuator in the middle of a radius of the
circular rotary actuator. The user may subsequently adjust the
coupling of the elongated member to the rotary actuator by lifting
the button pin and moving the pin such that the pin is placed in
the rotary actuator closer to the outer surface of the rotary
actuator or closer towards the center of the rotary actuator. When
the coupling between the end of the elongated member and the rotary
member is moved closer to the outer surface of the rotary actuator,
the resulting compression of the bladder will be greater than the
compression resulting from the coupling of the elongated member to
the center of a radius of the rotary member. When the end of the
elongated member is moved closer to the center of the rotary
actuator, the resulting compression of the bladder will be smaller
than the compression resulting from the coupling of the elongated
member to the center of a radius of the rotary member. In addition
to using the button pin to change the coupling point on the rotary
member, the pin may be inserted through one of several holes in the
elongated member. Thus, when the elongated member receives the pin
at a point along the elongated member that is closer to the platen,
the resulting compression of the bladder will be less than the
compression resulting from the inserting the button pin through the
elongated member at a point that is closer to the end of the
elongated member which is opposite the platen.
[0049] An adjustable coupling of the elongated member to the rotary
actuator may be implemented in several ways. In an implementation
with a rotary actuator that may compress and expand multiple
bladders, the elongated members may be attached to a single
coupling point on the rotary actuator. As the rotary actuator is
turned, a first bladder may be affected in a first way, for example
by compression, while a second bladder is affected in a second and
different way, such as for example by expansion or no force applied
to the bladder. The coupling point may be positioned at a first
position between the center of the rotary actuator and the outer
surface of the actuator. The adjustable mechanism can be used to
move the coupling point of the elongated members to a different
point along a line from the center of the rotary actuator to the
outer surface of the actuator, wherein the line includes the
coupling point. Thus, the coupling point could be moved director
towards the outer surface of the rotary actuator or directly
towards the center of the rotary actuator. When the coupling point
is moved towards the outer surface of the rotary actuator, the
elongated members will have a greater degree of motion, as a result
of being further from the center of the rotary actuator, and will
result in more compression applied to the bladder, causing more
fluid to move from the bladder through the fluid channel and into
the variable volume, causing the deformable region to expand. When
the coupling point is moved towards the center of the rotary
actuator, the elongated members will have a smaller degree of
motion, as a result of being closer to the center of the rotary
actuator, and will result in less compression applied to the
bladder, causing less fluid to move from the bladder through the
fluid channel and into the variable volume, causing the deformable
region to expand less so than in the previous example.
[0050] In an embodiment with one or more L-shaped elongated
members, each set of connected elongated members may be attached to
a separate coupling point on the rotary actuator. As the rotary
actuator is turned, a first bladder may be affected in a first way,
for example by compression, while a second bladder is affected in a
second way, such as for example by expansion or no force applied to
the bladder. The coupling points may each be positioned a selected
distance between the center of the rotary actuator and the outer
surface of the actuator. The coupling points for the L-shaped
elongated members may be moved together as a single adjustment
along a line that includes both coupling points or may be moved
individually. When moved individually, the adjustable mechanism can
be used to move the coupling point of the L-shaped elongated
members to a different point along a line from the center of the
rotary actuator to the outer surface of the actuator, such that the
line includes the coupling point. The coupling point for an
L-shaped elongated member could be moved director towards the outer
surface of the rotary actuator or directly towards the center of
the rotary actuator. When the coupling point is moved towards the
outer surface of the rotary actuator, the elongated members will
have a greater degree of motion, as a result of being further from
the center of the rotary actuator, and will result in more
compression applied to the bladder. When the L-shaped elongated
member coupling point is moved towards the center of the rotary
actuator, the elongated members will have a smaller degree of
motion, as a result of being closer to the center of the rotary
actuator, and will result in less compression applied to the
bladder.
[0051] In some implementations, in addition to being physically
manipulated to move an elongated member or otherwise act to
compress a bladder, a rotary member may be manipulated to move from
a position of more exposure through a housing and less exposure
through a housing. For example, a spring-based system can be used
to have the rotary actuator reside nearly completely within the
housing in a first spring state (or retracted state) and partially
protruding from the housing in a second spring state (or protruding
state). In the retracted state, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer
surface or upper surface of the rotary actuator may be flush or
below the outer surface or upper surface of the housing, thereby
helping to prevent an accidental or unintentional engagement of the
rotary actuator, for example during storage or use by the user,
which results in unintentional change in the state of the
deformable region. In the protruding state, the outer surface or
upper surface of the rotary actuator may extend above the outer
surface or upper surface of the housing, thereby making the rotary
actuator more accessible to a user and easier to change the state
of the deformable region.
[0052] The multi-state rotary actuator may be implemented in
several ways. In the system of FIG. 1, the user engagement feature,
such as a switch, may be configured with a spring mechanism to
transition from a retracted state and a protruding state. In the
retracted state, the user engagement feature may be flush, below or
positioned close to the outer surface or upper surface of the
housing, thereby helping to prevent an accidental or unintentional
engagement of user engagement feature, for example during storage
or use by the user. In the protruding state, the outer surface or
upper surface of the user engagement feature may be above the outer
surface or upper surface of the housing, thereby making the user
engagement feature more accessible to a user and easier to change
the state of the deformable region via the tear drop-shaped
actuator.
[0053] In a system with multiple bladders, the rotary actuator may
be configured to transition from a retracted state and a protruding
state. In the retracted state, the rotary actuator may be below or
positioned close to the outer surface of the housing, and may be
locked from moving in a rotary direction, preventing any changes in
pressure applied to any bladder and preventing any change in state
for any deformable region. In the protruding state, the outer
surface of the rotary actuator may be above the outer surface of
the housing, thereby enabling a user to apply a physical force
causing the rotary actuator to move.
[0054] In a system with L-shaped elongated members, the rotary
actuator may be configured to transition from a retracted state and
a protruding state by depressing the rotary actuator inward towards
the housing of the dynamic tactile interface. In the retracted
state, the rotary actuator may be below or positioned close to the
outer surface of the housing, and may be locked from moving in a
rotary direction. In the protruding state, the outer surface of the
rotary actuator may be above the outer surface of the housing,
thereby providing easy access to move the rotary actuator.
[0055] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made in the foregoing embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *