Method for actuating a tactile interface layer

Abstract

A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for actuating a tactile interface layer coupled to a device, the tactile interface layer comprising a surface and a substrate, the surface defining a deformable region and a second region adjacent the deformable region, the substrate defining a fluid vessel adjacent the deformable region, the method comprising:
 displacing fluid into the fluid vessel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting to an expanded setting tactilely distinguishable from the second region and offset above the second region by a first height;   at a sensor coupled to the tactile interface layer, detecting an input applied at the deformable region in the expanded setting;   substantially simultaneously, detecting an increase in pressure of fluid in the fluid vessel;   in response to the force, displacing fluid out of the fluid vessel to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting offset above the second region by the first height to a second setting offset above the second region by a second height less than the first height, a change in height between the expanded setting and the second setting proportional to the increase in pressure.