US7403191B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tactile overlay for an imaging display
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2004-01-28
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Granted: 2008-07-22
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Expires: 2024-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A tactile overlay for a touchscreen includes one or more button structures, a flexible resilient membrane, and one or more nibs corresponding to the one or more button structures. The overlay is disposed over and in propinquity with the touchscreen display, with button and corresponding nib structure(s) of the overlay corresponding to virtual buttons that are displayed by the touchscreen display. The button structure(s) and corresponding nibs are positioned on the overlay so that a user can press a button structure, which causes the corresponding nib to touch a desired virtual button being displayed by the touchscreen display. The flexible resilient layer causes the nib to return to original position, breaking contact with the touchscreen display.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Sinclair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0224; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04886; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus, comprising: a membrane including a fiber optic plate configured to direct light from a first side of the membrane to a second side opposite the first side, the first side positioned adjacent to a touchscreen display; a button structure disposed on the second side of the membrane; and a nib corresponding to the button structure and disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the apparatus is configured to be operatively coupled to the touchscreen display so that when a user applies a force to the button structure the nib contacts the touchscreen display so as to activate a virtual button being displayed by the touchscreen display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus, comprising: a membrane including a fiber optic plate configured to direct light from a first side of the membrane to a second side opposite the first side, the first side positioned adjacent to a touchscreen display; a button structure disposed on the second side of the membrane; and a nib corresponding to the button structure and disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the apparatus is configured to be operatively coupled to the touchscreen display so that when a user applies a force to the button structure the nib contacts the touchscreen display so as to activate a virtual button being displayed by the touchscreen display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the button structure comprises a translucent portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the button structure is configured as a remote control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the button structure comprises a haptic structure configured to emit an audible sound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the button structure is one of a plurality of button structures disposed on the membrane, wherein the plurality of button structures implement a QWERTY keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lighting device to selectively illuminate the button structure, the lighting device including at least one light emitting diode (LED) and a power source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a redirector to change a direction of an infrared beam directed onto the redirector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the membrane is sized to be press fitted into a recessed portion of a mobile electronic device, wherein the membrane is disposed within the recess to position the nib in propinquity with the touchscreen display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve to contain a mobile electronic device that includes the touchscreen display, wherein the sleeve is to position the nib in propinquity with the touchscreen display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the button structure and nib are slidably fitted to a guide slot in the membrane, the guide slot constraining the button structure and nib along a guide slot path.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus to be operatively coupled to a touchscreen display for operating a virtual button displayed by the touchscreen display, the apparatus comprising: a membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a fiber optic plate; and tactile means, coupled to the membrane, for selectively contacting a touchscreen display at a desired location in response to a force exerted on the tactile means by a user, wherein the tactile means further includes a means for slidably contacting the touchscreen display along a pre-determined linear slot.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus to be operatively coupled to a touchscreen display for operating a virtual button displayed by the touchscreen display, the apparatus comprising: a membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a fiber optic plate; and tactile means, coupled to the membrane, for selectively contacting a touchscreen display at a desired location in response to a force exerted on the tactile means by a user, wherein the tactile means further includes a means for slidably contacting the touchscreen display along a pre-determined linear slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the membrane comprises a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tactile means comprises a translucent portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tactile means comprises a haptic structure configured to emit an audible sound.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tactile means comprises a plurality of button structures disposed on the membrane, wherein the plurality of button structures implement a QWERTY keyboard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a lighting device to selectively illuminate a portion of the apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-07-22 | 2012-01-21 | 2012-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-07-22 | 2016-01-21 | 2016-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-07-22 | 2020-01-21 | 2020-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |