The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2007
Michael E. Caine, Needham, MA (US);
Michael E. Caine, Needham, MA (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A portable electronic device () includes a controllable skin texture surface that includes a skin texture surface actuation structure having a plurality of hinged elements (-) with a shape memory alloy () coupled thereto to effect movement of the hinged elements and a flexible skin structure () to change a tactile configuration of at least a portion of the controllable skin texture surface. A method also includes controlling a first shape memory alloy to actuate a plurality of hinged elements and in response, controlling a second shape memory alloy to actuate a hinged lock structure to lock a plurality of hinged elements in a first position. The method also includes deactivating the first shape memory alloy and unlocking the plurality of hinged elements by actuating the first shape memory alloy to allow the hinged lock to disengage. Corresponding structure is also disclosed. The electronic device may include a passive or active shape memory alloy based hinged locking structure to facilitate a bi-stable texture element actuation configuration.