Nathaniel Mark Saal

TL;DR: In this paper, the user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface.

TL;DR: In this article, a user interface enhancement system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel that cooperates with the sheet to transmit an image through the sheet without substantial obstruction, a displacement device that influences the volume of liquid within the vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface.

TL;DR: In this article, a method for actuating a tactile interface layer for a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of detecting a gesture of the user along the surface of the tactile interfaces, interpreting the gesture as a command for the region, and manipulating the deformable regions of the surface based on the command.

TL;DR: In this paper, a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device is used to deform a particular region of the surface into a tactilely distinguishable formation.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a method for assisting user input to a device, comprising the steps of providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and including a volume of fluid and a displacement device that manipulates a plurality of particular regions of the surface into tactilely distinguishable formations that each represent a key of a key interface, allowing the user to provide input through the key interface.