公开(公告)号：US20250112403A1

公开(公告)日：2025-04-03

申请号：US18380613

申请日：2023-10-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Mahmoud R. Amini ,  James M. Jeon ,  Ayoub Yari Boroujeni ,  Jack B. Rector, III ,  Caleb J. Flori ,  Colin J. Abraham ,  Youqun Dong ,  Brandon Y. Leung ,  Kevin Bui

IPC: H01R13/52 ,  G06F13/42

Abstract: Connector receptacles and related structures that can be hidden and protected, and that have a low-profile or shallow depth. An example can provide an electronic device having a connector receptacle, where the connector receptacle can be hidden using a cover. The cover can hide the connector receptacle and protect it from debris. The connector receptacle can also have a shallow depth making it suitable for use in small devices. Various cover mechanisms can be used. These cover mechanisms can be bistable, that is they can have a stable open position and a stable closed position. There can be tactile feedback provided to a user as the user moves the cover from the open position to the closed position and from the closed position to the open position.

公开(公告)号：US11298611B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-12

申请号：US17351840

申请日：2021-06-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Caleb J. Flori ,  Colin J. Abraham ,  Min C. Kim ,  Xuan Liu ,  Joshua J. Pong

IPC: A63F13/24

Abstract: A user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having a first end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by a user and a second end within the housing. A set of one or more sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be coupled between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried within the housing and may have a rotatable output extending therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and may be in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated.

公开(公告)号：US20210402290A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-30

申请号：US17351840

申请日：2021-06-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Caleb J. Flori ,  Colin J. Abraham ,  Min C. Kim ,  Xuan Liu ,  Joshua J. Pong

IPC: A63F13/24

Abstract: A user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having a first end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by a user and a second end within the housing. A set of one or more sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be coupled between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried within the housing and may have a rotatable output extending therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and may be in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated.

公开(公告)号：US11065534B1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-20

申请号：US16915389

申请日：2020-06-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Caleb J. Flori ,  Colin J. Abraham ,  Min C. Kim ,  Xuan Liu ,  Joshua J. Pong

IPC: A63F13/24

Abstract: A thumbstick user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having an upper end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by the user's thumb and a lower end within the housing. Sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried at a bottom of the housing and may have a rotatable output extending upwardly therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable upward or downward based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated by the user's thumb.