公开(公告)号：US11442615B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-13

申请号：US16883876

申请日：2020-05-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/0488 ,  H03K17/95 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/04886 ,  H03K17/96

Abstract: A user may provide finger press input to a surface such as a touch sensitive input surface. The input surface may be formed from a two-dimensional touch sensor overlapping a display of an electronic device. The electronic device and an associated device such as a finger-mounted device may form a system for gathering the finger press input from the user. A sensor may be used in monitoring when the finger-mounted device and a user's finger in the device approach the input surface of the electronic device. In response to detection of the finger near the input surface, actuators in the finger-mounted device may squeeze the finger inwardly to cause a finger pad on the finger to protrude outwardly towards the input surface, thereby softening impact between the finger and the input surface. The electronic device may also have an array of components to repel the finger-mounted device.

公开(公告)号：US11442552B1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-13

申请号：US17228330

申请日：2021-04-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang

IPC: G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/023 ,  H01H13/703 ,  H03K17/955 ,  H03K17/98

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sensing membrane that is coupled with electrical terminals of a key switch and a light source. This may allow the membrane to be both configured to transmit a signal in response to actuation of keyboard key cap and illuminate an illuminable symbol of key cap. In one aspect, the membrane includes a set of deformable layers separated by a spacer layer. Terminals of the key switch are connected to distinct ones of the set of deformable layers and positioned within a cavity defined by the spacer layer. A light assembly may be positioned along and configured to move with one of the set of deformable layers. Depression of a key cap toward the set of deformable layers causes the set of terminals to move and initiate a switch event.

公开(公告)号：US11425490B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-23

申请号：US16932549

申请日：2020-07-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Ivan S. Maric

IPC: H04R1/34 ,  H04R1/28 ,  H04R3/04 ,  H04R1/10 ,  H04R29/00

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for enhancing a user's listening experience by adjusting physical attributes of an audio playback system based on detected environmental attributes of the system's environment.

公开(公告)号：US11360558B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-14

申请号：US16395806

申请日：2019-04-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Nicolai Georg ,  Benjamin R. Blachnitzky ,  Alhad A. Palkar ,  Minhazul Islam ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Madeleine S. Cordier ,  Joon-Sup Han ,  Hongcheng Sun ,  Sang E. Lee ,  Kevin Z. Lo ,  Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson ,  Luis Deliz Centeno ,  Yuhao Pan ,  Stephen E. Dey ,  Paul N. DuMontelle ,  Jonathan C. Atler ,  Tianjia Sun ,  Jian Li ,  Chang Zhang

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06T19/00 ,  G06F3/04883 ,  G06F3/0482 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/04815 ,  G06F3/038

Abstract: A system may include finger devices. A touch sensor may be mounted in a finger device housing to gather input from an external object as the object moves along an exterior surface of the housing. The touch sensor may include capacitive sensor electrodes. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, and other components may be used in gathering finger input from a user. Finger input from a user may be used to manipulate virtual objects in a mixed reality or virtual reality environment while a haptic output device in a finger device provides associated haptic output. A user may interact with real-world objects while computer-generated content is overlaid over some or all of the objects. Object rotations and other movements may be converted into input for a mixed reality or virtual reality system using force measurements or other sensors measurements made with the finger devices.

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.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Aidan N. Zimmerman

IPC: B32B27/12 ,  G06F1/16 ,  D03D15/00 ,  B32B3/00

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.

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.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  John S. Camp

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/038 ,  G06F3/0485

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.

公开(公告)号：US20220035417A1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-03

申请号：US16942622

申请日：2020-07-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Keith J. Hendren ,  Nicholas L. Qu

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0489 ,  G06F3/0488 ,  G06F3/0354

Abstract: An accessory device for a tablet computing device may include a base portion having one or more input devices (e.g., keyboards, trackpads, touchscreen displays, and the like) for providing inputs to the tablet computing device. The accessory device may include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the base portion of the accessory device to a tablet computing device in multiple different installation modes. The coupling mechanism may include an auxiliary display for providing a graphical output along a surface of the coupling mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling mechanism may include a recess for receiving a stylus.

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.

Inventor： Keith J. Hendren ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Adam T. Garelli ,  Brett W. Degner ,  Christiaan A. Ligtenberg ,  Dinesh C. Mathew

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/041

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.

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

IPC: G06F3/02

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.

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.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Keith J. Hendren

IPC: H01H13/86 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/023 ,  G06F3/041

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.