IT abroad: Microsoft invents new tactile display technology

Microsoft Corp. has found the way to improve modern touch-screen technologies, used for making computer displays. Thus the corporation has figured out a technology of making computer displays, themselves changing in shape under a person’s touch.

Last week Microsoft filed an application with the U.S. patent office for a tactile display technology “Light-Induced Shape-Memory Polymer Display Screen”. Such a display could generate small ridges and textures on its surface that could work as navigation guides, a virtual keyboard or other forms.

To make this happen, the display itself would contain a "topography-changing layer" comprised of something called shape-memory polymers, which change shape depending on the ultraviolet light signal received. The system would require a topography-changing engine to supply the light signals.

Presumably, the technology could be used as part of the Microsoft Surface systems, which are table-sized computers with large touchscreens that the company markets for interactive display duties.