Tri-axis force sensor
    172.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US12066795B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-08-20

    申请号:US17187573

    申请日:2021-02-26

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    CPC classification number: G04G21/00 G04G9/0005

    Abstract: An input device includes a movable input surface protruding from an electronic device. The input device enables force inputs along three axes relative to the electronic device: first lateral movements, second lateral movements, and axial movements. The input device includes force or displacement sensors which can detect a direction and magnitude of input forces.

    REJECTION OF FALSE TURNS OF ROTARY INPUTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20240192804A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-06-13

    申请号:US18585013

    申请日:2024-02-22

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Various embodiments for detecting and rejecting false, unintended rotations of rotary inputs of electronic devices are disclosed herein. In one example, an electronic device is provided with an optical detector that measures the distance between the electronic device and the wearer's forearm or hand, and when the distance is smaller than a threshold distance, the turns of the rotary input are false, unintended turns. In another example, a crown of a rotary input includes a plurality of capacitive sensors that detects the presence of a wearer's finger, which when absent, the turns of the rotary input are false turns. In another example, deflections or positions of a shaft of the rotary input are measured and if the deflections/positions indicate an upward force on the rotary input (which are likely caused by the wearer's forearm or hand), the turns of the rotary input are false turns. Other embodiments are described herein.

    CONDUCTIVE CAP FOR WATCH CROWN
    174.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240053707A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-02-15

    申请号:US18382608

    申请日:2023-10-23

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.

    Capacitive touch panel for sensing mechanical inputs to a device

    公开(公告)号:US11556190B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-17

    申请号:US17647583

    申请日:2022-01-10

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A device including a mechanical input and a touch-sensitive surface for detecting one or more touch inputs and an input from the mechanical input. The touch-sensitive surface can include a first portion for detecting at least the touch inputs, and a second portion for detecting at least the mechanical input. The touch-sensitive surface can include a first portion for detecting at least the touch inputs and the mechanical input. The mechanical input can comprise an electrically conductive material, and the mechanical input can be detected based on capacitance measurements between the mechanical input and the touch-sensitive surface. The device can include a sensing element, the mechanical input can comprise an electrically insulating material, and the mechanical input can be detected based on capacitance measurements between the touch-sensitive surface and the sensing element. The device can include logic to differentiate between the touch inputs and the mechanical input.

    REJECTION OF FALSE TURNS OF ROTARY INPUTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20220261111A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-08-18

    申请号:US17735695

    申请日:2022-05-03

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Various embodiments for detecting and rejecting false, unintended rotations of rotary inputs of electronic devices are disclosed herein. In one example, an electronic device is provided with an optical detector that measures the distance between the electronic device and the wearer's forearm or hand, and when the distance is smaller than a threshold distance, the turns of the rotary input are false, unintended turns. In another example, a crown of a rotary input includes a plurality of capacitive sensors that detects the presence of a wearer's finger, which when absent, the turns of the rotary input are false turns. In another example, deflections or positions of a shaft of the rotary input are measured and if the deflections/positions indicate an upward force on the rotary input (which are likely caused by the wearer's forearm or hand), the turns of the rotary input are false turns. Other embodiments are described herein.

    Force-detecting input structure
    180.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11385599B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-07-12

    申请号:US17187519

    申请日:2021-02-26

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    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.

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