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, comprising:
 a shape changeable layer; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the shape changeable layer, the controller capable of
 detecting an event at the electronic device, and 
 in response to the detected event, transmitting one or more first signals to the shape changeable layer to dynamically alter a topography of the shape changeable layer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a change in a user interface state, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer in accordance with the changed user interface state. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a touch event detected based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer in accordance with the touch event.   
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a hover event detected based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer in accordance with the hover event.   
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a press event detected based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer in accordance with the press event.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a determination of a location of an object based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the detected location of the object.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a determination of an acceleration of an object based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the detected acceleration of the object.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a determination of a direction of an object based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the detected direction of the object.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an object sensing layer formed along the shape changeable layer;   wherein the event is a determination of a size of an object based on one or more second signals received from the object sensing layer, the controller further capable of dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the detected size of the proximate object.   
     
     
         10 . A surface couplable to an electronic device for generating haptic feedback at the device, the surface comprising:
 a shape changeable layer; and   a plurality of actuators coupled with the shape changeable layer;   wherein one or more of the plurality of actuators are communicatively couplable to a controller and configurable for dynamically altering a topography of the shape changeable layer based on one or more first signals received from the controller in response to an event detected at the electronic device.   
     
     
         11 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a change in a user interface state, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the changed user interface state. 
     
     
         12 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a touch event, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the touch event. 
     
     
         13 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a hover event, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the hover event. 
     
     
         14 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a press event, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the press event. 
     
     
         15 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a determination of a location of an object, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the detected location of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a determination of an acceleration of an object, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the detected acceleration of the object. 
     
     
         17 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a determination of a direction of an object, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the detected direction of the object. 
     
     
         18 . The surface of  claim 10 , wherein the event is a determination of a size of an object, the one or more actuators further configurable for dynamically altering the topography of the shape changeable layer based on the one or more first signals received from the controller in response to the detected size of the proximate object.