公开(公告)号：US20200167006A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-28

申请号：US16689947

申请日：2019-11-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf ,  Baboo V. Gowreesunker ,  Prashanth S. Holenarsipur ,  Serhan O. Isikman ,  Anna-Katrina Shedletsky

IPC: G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/042 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/038 ,  G06F1/3231

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a proximity sensor for determining whether an object, such as a user's finger, is in proximity to or in contact with an input mechanism of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US10655988B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-19

申请号：US16134888

申请日：2018-09-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paisith P. Boonsom ,  Serhan O. Isikman ,  Richard Ruh ,  Prashanth S. Holenarsipur ,  Colin M. Ely ,  William N. Pickeral ,  Jairam Manjunathaiah ,  David G. Havskjold ,  Anant Rai ,  Maegan K. Spencer ,  Milind S. Bhagavat

IPC: G01D5/347 ,  G01D5/30

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.

公开(公告)号：US10427380B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15159573

申请日：2016-05-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Charles J. Kuehmann ,  Christopher M. Werner ,  Colin M. Ely ,  James A. Wright

IPC: H01B1/02 ,  B32B15/01 ,  C23C2/04 ,  B23K103/04 ,  B23K103/08

Abstract: The methods including applying a corrosion resistant alloy to a metal substrate to create a bimetal blank. The bimetal blank can undergo a variety of shaping and machining operations to form the net shape and internal structures of the part. Further, the part can undergo a finishing operation (e.g. polishing) to create the desired cosmetic appearance on the exterior surfaces and remove any surface imperfections resulting from the shaping and machining operations.

公开(公告)号：US10312039B2

公开(公告)日：2019-06-04

申请号：US14917529

申请日：2013-09-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Eric G. de Jong

IPC: H01H9/00 ,  H01H36/02 ,  H03K17/97 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F1/3234 ,  G06F3/02 ,  H01H9/54

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an enclosure and a button connected to the enclosure and movable relative thereto. The button includes a button cap defining a user input surface, a first magnetic element operably associated with one of the button cap or the enclosure, and a coil operably associated with the other of the button cap or the enclosure. Movement of the button cap relative to the enclosure, such as due to a user input force, causes the first magnetic element to induce a current in the coil and the induced current is correlated to a user input to the button cap.

公开(公告)号：US10296125B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-21

申请号：US16022563

申请日：2018-06-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Erik G. de Jong ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf

IPC: G04C3/00 ,  G01D5/241 ,  G04G21/00 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  H03K17/975

Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20190098383A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-28

申请号：US15989115

申请日：2018-05-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Brad G. Boozer ,  Benjamin J. Kallman

IPC: H04R1/02 ,  H01R13/631

CPC classification number: H04R1/02 ,  H01R12/81 ,  H01R13/22 ,  H01R13/631 ,  H04R2420/09

Abstract: An electronic device includes a concealed electrical connector positioned within a speaker opening defined by an enclosure of the electronic device. A mating connector is configured to fit through the speaker opening and couple to the concealed electrical connector to form a bidirectional communications path with circuitry within the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US10222753B1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-05

申请号：US16179872

申请日：2018-11-02

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  John B. Morrell ,  Duncan Kerr ,  Camille Moussette

IPC: G04B27/00 ,  G06F3/0488 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  H01H25/06 ,  H01H25/00 ,  H01H9/16 ,  H01H3/12

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

公开(公告)号：US10019097B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-10

申请号：US15219253

申请日：2016-07-25

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Erik G. de Jong ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf

IPC: G06F3/00 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G01D5/241 ,  G04G21/00 ,  G04C3/00 ,  H03K17/975 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/0346

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G01D5/2412 ,  G04C3/007 ,  G04G21/00 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03K17/975 ,  H03K2217/960755

Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.

公开(公告)号：US10018966B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-10

申请号：US15092584

申请日：2016-04-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf ,  Maegan K. Spencer

IPC: G04B3/04 ,  G04G21/00 ,  G04C3/00

CPC classification number: G04C3/002 ,  G04B3/041 ,  G04B3/046 ,  G04G21/00

Abstract: A watch crown assembly is disclosed. The watch crown assembly comprises a body configured to receive rotary input. The body defines a recess and a retention feature. The watch crown assembly further comprises a ceramic member positioned at least partially in the recess and a mounting arm attached to the ceramic member. The mounting arm is engaged with the retention feature of the body, thereby retaining the ceramic member to the body.

公开(公告)号：US09973972B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-15

申请号：US15297999

申请日：2016-10-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Colin M. Ely ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf

IPC: H04W72/00 ,  H04W28/20 ,  H04L29/12 ,  H04W4/00 ,  H04W4/24 ,  H04W12/06 ,  H04W16/14 ,  H04W76/02 ,  H04W12/08 ,  H04W88/04 ,  H04W4/02

CPC classification number: H04W28/20 ,  H04L61/6022 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/027 ,  H04W4/029 ,  H04W4/24 ,  H04W4/50 ,  H04W4/80 ,  H04W12/06 ,  H04W12/08 ,  H04W16/14 ,  H04W76/15 ,  H04W76/16 ,  H04W88/04

Abstract: Client devices with wireless functionality, but without wide area network or cellular network functionality, can obtain network access via a host device, where the host device has network access. Such network access can be obtained when a client device of a user is in local range of a host device, e.g., of a different user. An indication of a relative movement between the client device and a host device can be used to establish a network sharing connection.