Dynamic tactile interface

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.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dynamic tactile interface comprising:
 a substrate comprising an attachment surface, a cavity, and a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the cavity, the cavity defining a curvilinear cross-section;   a pedestal arranged within the cavity, pivotable within the cavity, and comprising a mating surface and an exterior surface;   a tactile layer comprising 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;   a displacement device displacing fluid into the fluid channel and into the cavity to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting, the mating surface of the pedestal in contact with the cavity and 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 defining a first formation tactilely distinguishable from the peripheral region in the second position, and the pedestal partially elevated out of the cavity and the deformable region defining a second formation tactilely distinguishable from the first formation and the peripheral region in the expanded setting; and   a sensor coupled to the substrate and outputting a signal corresponding to an input on the tactile surface.