公开(公告)号：US12008178B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-11

申请号：US18351438

申请日：2023-07-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Anna-Katrina Shedletsky ,  Christopher Werner ,  Colin M. Ely ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf

IPC: G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0443 ,  G06F3/0446

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.

公开(公告)号：US20230418230A1

公开(公告)日：2023-12-28

申请号：US18243257

申请日：2023-09-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

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

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

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：US11740715B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-29

申请号：US18154774

申请日：2023-01-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Anna-Katrina Shedletsky ,  Christopher Werner ,  Colin M. Ely ,  Fletcher R. Rothkopf

IPC: G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0443 ,  G06F3/0446

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.

公开(公告)号：US20230229197A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-20

申请号：US17934288

申请日：2022-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniela M. Deschamps ,  Ross L. Jackson ,  Colin M. Ely ,  Tyler S. Atura Bushnell

IPC: G06F1/16

CPC classification number: G06F1/1656 ,  G06F1/1626 ,  G06F1/1637 ,  A45C2011/002

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.

公开(公告)号：US11347351B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-31

申请号：US17118088

申请日：2020-12-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Anna-Katrina Shedletsky ,  Christopher M. Werner ,  Colin M. Ely ,  Samuel Weiss

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/042 ,  G06F3/044

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.

公开(公告)号：US11301048B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-12

申请号：US16869877

申请日：2020-05-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Andrzej Baranski ,  Anna-Katrina Shedletsky ,  Kuldeep P. Lonkar ,  Serhan Isikman ,  Stephen Brian Lynch ,  Colin M. Ely ,  Christopher Werner ,  Erik De Jong ,  Samuel B. Weiss

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  A61B5/00 ,  A61B5/11 ,  A61B5/389 ,  G06F1/16 ,  A61B5/316

Abstract: This relates to a device that detects a user's motion and gesture input through the movement of one or more of the user's hand, arm, wrist, and fingers, for example, to provide commands to the device or to other devices. The device can include a plurality of myoelectric sensors configured to detect one or more electrical signals from a body part of a user indicative of one or more movements. A plurality of signals indicative of the detected one or more electrical signals may be generated. The device may also include a wireless communication transmitter configured to communicate with a peripheral device and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the plurality of signals from the plurality of myoelectric sensors, use the plurality of signals together to determine a gesture, and communicate one or more of: the plurality of signals and the gesture to the peripheral device.

公开(公告)号：US11269376B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-08

申请号：US17019185

申请日：2020-09-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniela M. Deschamps ,  Sameer Pandya ,  Tyler S. Atura Bushnell ,  Christopher M. Werner ,  Steven C. Roach ,  Colin M. Ely

IPC: G06F1/16

Abstract: An input component for an electronic device can include a dial that defines an exterior surface and a shaft affixed to the dial. The dial and the shaft can be rotatable about a central axis of the shaft and the shaft can include a protruding portion that defines a channel. A collar can surround a portion of the shaft and can be at least partially disposed in the channel. A bushing can be positioned between the collar and the protruding portion of the shaft, with the bushing defining a groove.

公开(公告)号：US20210181688A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US17187519

申请日：2021-02-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

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

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：US11015960B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-25

申请号：US16256990

申请日：2019-01-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Fletcher R. Rothkopf ,  Prashanth S. Holenarsipur ,  Colin M. Ely

IPC: G01D5/347 ,  G01P3/486 ,  G01P3/36 ,  G01P3/50

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft having an encoding pattern made up of axial markings and radial markings. The encoding pattern may be disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and a photodiode array. The emitter causes light to shine on the encoding pattern. The encoding pattern reflects the light back to the photodiode array and the photodiode array determines movement of the shaft based on the reflected light.

公开(公告)号：US10962930B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-30

申请号：US16912981

申请日：2020-06-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

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

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.