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.

公开(公告)号：US20180088532A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-29

申请号：US15829509

申请日：2017-12-01

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 ,  H01H25/00

CPC classification number: G04B27/002 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/163 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/0488 ,  H01H3/122 ,  H01H9/16 ,  H01H25/008 ,  H01H25/06 ,  H01H2209/006 ,  H01H2215/006 ,  H01H2221/01 ,  H01H2223/002

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure includes an input module. The input module includes a switch, a rotatable and translatable input member operably connected to the switch and configured to actuate the switch, and an electrical contact operably connected to the switch and in electrical communication with the input member. During operation, the electrical connection between the input member and the electrical contact is maintained during translation and rotation of the input member. The input module may be used with a variety of electronic devices and can be used by a user to provide input to those devices.