公开(公告)号：US12216851B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US18461395

申请日：2023-09-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Travis N. Owens ,  Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Jeremy A. Bagnol ,  Daniell Dokko ,  Supratik Datta

IPC: G06F3/041

Abstract: Electronic devices can include a textured exterior surface that is used for controlling functions associated with the electronic device or another electronic device when an object moves along the textured exterior surface. In some examples, the textured exterior surface can be a multi-directional textured surface to enable multi-directional touch functionality. In some examples, sensors of the electronic device can detect signal inputs generated by vibrations caused by the object moving along the textured exterior surface. The signal inputs can be processed to determine the directionality and/or speed of the movement input.

公开(公告)号：US11275475B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-15

申请号：US17141658

申请日：2021-01-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Andrew W. Joyce ,  John R. Matthews ,  Pavan O. Gupta ,  Albert Lin

IPC: G06F3/044

Abstract: A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.

公开(公告)号：US10921943B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-16

申请号：US16399958

申请日：2019-04-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Andrew W. Joyce ,  John R. Matthews ,  Pavan O. Gupta ,  Albert Lin

IPC: G06F3/044

Abstract: A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.

公开(公告)号：US20200348795A1

公开(公告)日：2020-11-05

申请号：US16399958

申请日：2019-04-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Andrew W. Joyce ,  John R. Matthews ,  Pavan O. Gupta ,  Albert Lin

IPC: G06F3/044

Abstract: A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.

公开(公告)号：US20230092946A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17481122

申请日：2021-09-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Nahid Harjee ,  Travis N. Owens

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041

Abstract: A capacitive gap force sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a first layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second layer of conductive material positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer has a first compression resistance less than a second compression resistance of the second layer. An effective capacitive sensing gap is defined between the first electrode and the second layer. The first layer is configured to compress or deform and alter the effective capacitive sensing gap when a force is received at the first electrode or the second electrode.

公开(公告)号：US11592946B1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17481122

申请日：2021-09-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Nahid Harjee ,  Travis N. Owens

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041

Abstract: A capacitive gap force sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a first layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second layer of conductive material positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer has a first compression resistance less than a second compression resistance of the second layer. An effective capacitive sensing gap is defined between the first electrode and the second layer. The first layer is configured to compress or deform and alter the effective capacitive sensing gap when a force is received at the first electrode or the second electrode.

公开(公告)号：US20210124460A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-29

申请号：US17141658

申请日：2021-01-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Bechstein ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Andrew W. Joyce ,  John R. Matthews ,  Pavan O. Gupta ,  Albert Lin

IPC: G06F3/044

Abstract: A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.