Finger Devices with Self-Mixing Interferometric Proximity Sensors

    公开(公告)号:US20230073039A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-09

    申请号:US17465594

    申请日:2021-09-02

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A system may include one or more finger devices that gather input from a user's fingers. A finger device may include one or more self-mixing interferometric proximity sensors that measure a distance to the user's finger. The proximity sensor may measure changes in distance between the proximity sensor and a flexible membrane that rests against a side portion of the user's finger. The self-mixing interferometric proximity sensor may include a laser and a photodiode. In some arrangements, a single laser driver may drive the lasers of multiple self-mixing proximity sensors using time-multiplexing. The self-mixing proximity sensor may operate according to a duty cycle. Interpolation and stitching may be used to determine the total displacement of the user's finger including both the on periods and off periods of the self-mixing proximity sensor.

    Wristbands with magnetic coupling
    45.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11589657B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-28

    申请号:US17322661

    申请日:2021-05-17

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.

    Wristbands with magnetic coupling
    47.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11033083B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-06-15

    申请号:US16132191

    申请日:2018-09-14

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A wristband can comfortably secure an electronic device, such as a wristwatch or fitness/health tracking device, to a wrist of a user. The wristband can include a number of magnets that allow the wristband to be magnetically coupled to itself when folded over or when separate band portions are overlapping. The magnets can include a polymer mixed with a magnetic material to provide magnetic properties and flexibility. The magnets can be joined together by a continuous support structure that extends through opposing pairs of the magnets. The support structure can provide substantial and ability as well as tensile strength. The magnets and the support structure can be surrounded by a flexible cover to protect the components within.

    AUDIO-BASED FEEDBACK FOR HEAD-MOUNTABLE DEVICE

    公开(公告)号:US20210055367A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-02-25

    申请号:US16935052

    申请日:2020-07-21

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include multiple microphones for directional audio detection. The head-mountable device can also include a speaker for audio output and/or a display for visual output. The head-mountable device can be configured to provide visual outputs based on audio inputs by displaying an indicator on a display based on a location of a source of a sound. The head-mountable device can be configured to audio outputs based on audio inputs by modifying an audio output of the speaker based on a detected sound and a target characteristic. Such characteristics can be based on a direction of a gaze of the user, as detected by an eye sensor.

    Input Devices that Use Self-Mixing Interferometry to Determine Movement Within an Enclosure

    公开(公告)号:US20210011559A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-14

    申请号:US16883390

    申请日:2020-05-26

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An input device includes an enclosure defining a three-dimensional input space and one or more self-mixing interferometry sensors coupled to the enclosure and configured to produce a self-mixing interferometry signal resulting from reflection of backscatter of emitted light by a body part in the three-dimensional input space. In various examples, movement of the body part may be determined using the self-mixing interferometry signal, which may in turn be used to determine an input. In some examples, a body part displacement or a body part speed and an absolute distance to the body part may be determined using the self-mixing interferometry signal and used to determine an input. In a number of examples, multiple self-mixing interferometry sensors may be used and the movement may be determined by analyzing differences between the respective produced self-mixing interferometry signals.

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