User interface having changeable topography

Abstract

A user interface having changeable topography is disclosed. The user interface can have a shape changeable surface that can selectively alter according to an input so as to provide changeable topography of the user interface. The surface can include individual nodes that can raise above or lower below the initial surface. Alternatively, the surface can include a shape changeable material that can change the shape of portions thereof into discrete shapes above or below the initial surface. Alternatively, the surface can include a deformable material that can deform portions thereof into discrete forms above or below the initial surface. The changeable topography can define different user interface layouts. The user interface can, for example, be associated with input and/or output devices, such as touch pads, touch screens, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device having a touch sensitive input surface, comprising:
 a shape changeable layer;   a touch sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the shape changeable layer and the touch sensing layer, the controller capable of
 receiving one or more first signals from the touch sensing layer, 
 tracking movement of an object proximate the input surface based on the received one or more first signals, and 
 transmitting one or more second signals to the shape changeable layer to dynamically alter a topography of the input surface at locations of the input surface corresponding to the tracked movement. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the input surface in accordance with a particular user interface state detected during the tracked movement. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object touches and moves across the input surface. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object hovers and moves over the input surface. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object presses on the input surface. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a location of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on an acceleration of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a direction of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a size of the proximate object. 
     
     
         10 . A surface for generating haptic feedback, comprising:
 a shape changeable layer; and   a plurality of actuators coupled with the shape changeable layer;   wherein each of the plurality of actuators are communicatively couplable to a controller and configurable for dynamically altering a topography of the shape changeable layer at locations of the surface corresponding to an object moving proximate to the surface.   
     
     
         11 . The surface of  claim 10 , at least one of the plurality of actuators further configurable for generating a vibration at the shape changeable layer to alter the topography of the shape changeable layer. 
     
     
         12 . The surface of  claim 10 , at least one of the plurality of actuators further configurable for altering the topography of the shape changeable layer in response to an electromagnetic stimulus. 
     
     
         13 . The surface of  claim 10 , at least one of the plurality of actuators further configurable for generating haptic feedback in response to a generated electric field. 
     
     
         14 . The surface of  claim 10 , at least one of the plurality of actuators further configurable for generating an electrical impulse at the shape changeable layer to alter the topography of the shape changeable layer. 
     
     
         15 . The surface of  claim 10 , further comprising a touch sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer, the touch sensing layer communicatively couplable to the controller and configurable for sending signals to the controller indicative of the object moving proximate to the touch surface. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing haptic feedback at a surface, comprising:
 tracking movement of an object proximate an input surface; and   dynamically altering a topography of an input surface at locations of the input surface corresponding to the tracked movement.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising dynamically altering the topography of the input surface in accordance with a particular user interface state detected during the tracked movement. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein tracking the movement of the object comprises tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object touches and moves across the input surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein tracking the movement of the object comprises tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object hovers and moves over the input surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein tracking the movement of the object comprises tracking the movement of the proximate object when the object presses on the input surface. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a location of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on an acceleration of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a direction of the tracked movement. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising dynamically altering the topography of the input surface based on a size of the proximate object.