Fabric items with locally thinned fabric

    公开(公告)号:US11292236B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-04-05

    申请号:US15650609

    申请日:2017-07-14

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An item such as a fabric-based item may have a layer of fabric such as a layer of woven fabric. The fabric layer may include insulating warp and weft strands. Conductive strands may be woven into the fabric layer and may form electrodes for a touch sensor. Chemical etching or other processing techniques may be used to form an array of openings. In each opening, some or all of the insulating warp and weft strands may be removed so that each opening passes partly or fully through the fabric layer and locally thins the fabric layer. Keys may be formed from key members and switches. The key members may overlap respective locally thinned areas of the fabric layer formed from the openings. The conductive strands may extend across the openings and may be overlapped by the key members and switches.

    Mountable tool computer input
    194.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11275455B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-03-15

    申请号:US16789173

    申请日:2020-02-12

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.

    Electronic device with glass housing member

    公开(公告)号:US11112827B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-09-07

    申请号:US16401004

    申请日:2019-05-01

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device may include a glass housing member that includes an upper portion defining a display area, a lower portion defining an input area, and a transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion and defining a continuous, curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion. The electronic device may include a display coupled to the glass housing member and configured to provide a visual output at the display area. The electronic device may include an input device coupled to the glass housing member and configured to detect inputs at the input area. The electronic device may include a support structure coupled to the glass housing member and configured to support the computing device.

    DEPLOYABLE KEY MOUSE
    197.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20210255711A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-19

    申请号:US16795270

    申请日:2020-02-19

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Inventor: Paul X. Wang

    Abstract: A computer input device can include a housing, a set of key switch mechanisms positioned in the housing, and a removable key structure that is operable between a first configuration positioned in the housing and a second configuration detached from the housing. The removable key can have a position sensor, wherein in the first configuration, the removable key structure is operable to provide a key-based typing input, and, in the second configuration, the removable key structure is operable as a computer pointing device using the position sensor. The removable key structure can therefore allow comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system.

    Interkey support for keyboards
    198.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11087937B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-10

    申请号:US16362052

    申请日:2019-03-22

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.

    Finger-mounted device with fabric
    199.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11042233B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-06-22

    申请号:US16141805

    申请日:2018-09-25

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A finger-mounted electronic device may include a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have first and second side body members that leave the finger pad exposed and an upper body member extending between the first and second side body members. Some or all of the body may be covered in fabric or leather. Fabric may wrap around the first and second side body members and may extend across the upper body member. The fabric may cover electronic components. A touch sensor may have electrodes that are formed from conductive material on the fabric or conductive strands in the fabric. Infrared-reflective ink may form visual markers on the fabric for an infrared tracking system. The fabric may have light-transmissive portions that overlap optical components.

    Electronic devices with fabric buttons

    公开(公告)号:US10983600B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-20

    申请号:US16539754

    申请日:2019-08-13

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device such as a fabric item or other item may have control circuitry. Buttons such as fabric-based buttons may be mounted within the device. A user may depress the buttons when it is desired to control operation of the device. Each button may have sensor circuitry such as capacitive sensor circuitry or resistive sensor circuitry. A control circuit can monitor conductive structures in the button to detect changes in electrical button characteristics such as capacitance and resistance and thereby gather information on button press events. Fabric buttons may have fabric movable button structures that are coupled to fabric support structures by fabric biasing structures. The fabric biasing structures may contain strands of material that are configured to form bistable fabric springs and/or hinges. The biasing structures and other fabric structures in a fabric button may be formed from knit fabric or other intertwined strands of material.

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