公开(公告)号：US11180873B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-23

申请号：US16854777

申请日：2020-04-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John S. Camp ,  Robert L. Coish ,  Kyle J. Nekimken ,  John A. Porcella ,  Michael A. Damianakis

IPC: D04B1/14 ,  H01F7/06 ,  H01F7/20 ,  H01H13/85 ,  H03K17/96 ,  H03K17/94 ,  A41D1/00 ,  A41D31/02 ,  D03D15/00 ,  A47C5/00

Abstract: An item such as a fabric-based item or other item may have one or more actuators. An actuator may have a conductive strand of material. A control circuit may supply a current to the conductive strand that induces a length change in the conductive strand due to ohmic heating and associated thermal expansion effects. The control circuit may be used to activate the actuator in response to user input that is supplied to an associated input device such as a switch, capacitive sensor, force sensor, light-based sensor, or other input component. The fabric-based item may include fabric such as woven fabric or knit fabric. Strands of conductive material may serve as signals paths for supplying current to conductive strands in actuators. Magnetic-field-based actuators may be formed by coiling conductive strands around tubular support structures such as piping in fabric-based items.

公开(公告)号：US10407957B1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-10

申请号：US15691220

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John S. Camp ,  Robert L. Coish ,  John A. Porcella

IPC: E05D3/02 ,  F16D7/02 ,  G06F1/16 ,  E05D11/00 ,  E05D11/08 ,  F16D13/16 ,  F16D13/62 ,  F16D13/75 ,  F16D27/14

Abstract: Clutch assemblies that can provide variable break-away torques are described. An exemplary multi-state clutch assembly can include a shaft, a first frictional element frictionally engaged with the shaft and a second frictional element that can provide variable friction. When the second frictional element provides a low friction, second frictional element can be rotatable relative to the first frictional element, which can remain stationary relative to the shaft. When the second frictional element provides a high friction, it can be secured to the first frictional element. Hence, the first and second frictional elements can be locked together and be rotatable relative to the shaft. Tightening or loosening the second frictional element can vary the overall break-away torque provided by the clutch assembly. The multi-state clutch assembly can be in communication with a sensor or a switch that can respond to a user to change the friction of the clutch assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20250093910A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-20

申请号：US18470297

申请日：2023-09-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John A. Porcella ,  Zachary M. Hammond ,  Dustin A. Hatfield ,  Megan Grant

IPC: G06F1/16

Abstract: A head-mounted device may include optical assemblies for presenting images to a user. The optical assemblies may be mounted in a head-mounted device housing. The head-mounted device housing may be supported at the front of the head of a user in front of the user's eyes using head-mounted support structures such as straps. The straps may include upper and lower straps. The upper and lower straps may be coupled to a rigid extending portion of the head-mounted device in a configuration that applies torque to the rigid extending portion and thereby helps to lift the head-mounted device housing upwardly. Releasable and/or rotatable connections may be used in coupling the straps to the rigid extending portion.

公开(公告)号：US20210375564A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-02

申请号：US17445056

申请日：2021-08-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John A. Porcella ,  Daniel A. Greenberg ,  Thomas R. Matzinger

IPC: H01H13/85

Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.

公开(公告)号：US20200248346A1

公开(公告)日：2020-08-06

申请号：US16854777

申请日：2020-04-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John S. Camp ,  Robert L. Coish ,  Kyle J. Nekimken ,  John A. Porcella ,  Michael A. Damianakis

IPC: D04B1/14 ,  A41D31/02 ,  H01F7/06 ,  A47C5/00 ,  H03K17/96 ,  H03K17/94 ,  A41D1/00 ,  H01H13/85 ,  D03D15/00 ,  H01F7/20

Abstract: An item such as a fabric-based item or other item may have one or more actuators. An actuator may have a conductive strand of material. A control circuit may supply a current to the conductive strand that induces a length change in the conductive strand due to ohmic heating and associated thermal expansion effects. The control circuit may be used to activate the actuator in response to user input that is supplied to an associated input device such as a switch, capacitive sensor, force sensor, light-based sensor, or other input component. The fabric-based item may include fabric such as woven fabric or knit fabric. Strands of conductive material may serve as signals paths for supplying current to conductive strands in actuators. Magnetic-field-based actuators may be formed by coiling conductive strands around tubular support structures such as piping in fabric-based items.

公开(公告)号：US09672702B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-06

申请号：US15091510

申请日：2016-04-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Robert L. Coish ,  John A. Porcella ,  John S. Camp ,  Kyle J. Nekimken ,  Michael A. Damianakis

IPC: H04B3/36 ,  G08B6/00

CPC classification number: G08B6/00 ,  H04M19/04

Abstract: This application relates to computing devices that can incorporate thermal haptic feedback devices for providing feedback in the form of a temperature change. The thermal haptic feedback device can be incorporated into a watch, and a portion of the watch can change temperature when a notification is to be provided to a user. The thermal haptic feedback device can also be incorporated into a surface of a mobile phone and allow a user to receive notifications regarding incoming calls and messages using a temperature change of the surface. The thermal haptic feedback device can also change temperature based on information received from external computing devices.

公开(公告)号：US20250093911A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-20

申请号：US18824146

申请日：2024-09-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John S. Camp ,  Megan Grant ,  Michael E. Savery ,  John A. Porcella

IPC: G06F1/16

Abstract: A wearable device includes a display including a display weight, a connecting band including a battery and a processor, a fulcrum strap positioned above the connecting band, a counterbalance strap positioned above the connecting band, and a weighted pad attached to the counterbalance strap. The weighted pad is at least partially counterbalancing a weight of the display about the fulcrum strap.

公开(公告)号：US20230229246A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-20

申请号：US18096759

申请日：2023-01-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Holly Gerhard ,  Grant H. Mulliken ,  Ian M. Bullock ,  Jae Hyun Cho ,  John A. Porcella ,  Kyle J. Nekimken

IPC: G06F3/023 ,  G06F3/04845

CPC classification number: G06F3/0238 ,  G06F3/04845

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that determine whether to provide a response based on the characteristic associated with the use of an input sensor (e.g., a keyboard). For example, an example process may include obtaining sensor data from a first sensor of the one or more other sensors, wherein the first sensor is separate from the input sensor, and the sensor data is associated with use of the input sensor by a user, assessing a characteristic associated with the use of the input sensor based on the sensor data, and determining whether to provide a response based on the characteristic associated with the use of the input sensor, the response updating the input sensor with a personalized setting or providing personalized content (e.g., feedback or autocomplete) to the user regarding input sensor use.

公开(公告)号：US20200303140A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

申请号：US16446239

申请日：2019-06-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John A. Porcella ,  Daniel A. Greenberg ,  Thomas R. Matzinger

IPC: H01H13/85

Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.

公开(公告)号：US10649529B1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-12

申请号：US15357956

申请日：2016-11-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Kyle J. Nekimken ,  John A. Porcella ,  John S. Camp ,  Michael A. Damianakis ,  Robert L. Coish

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  H01H13/85 ,  G06F3/02

Abstract: A feedback or a user-perceived feedback of an input device is modified using one or more output devices. The output devices include one or more speakers and/or one or more actuators. The output (e.g., acoustic and/or haptic) produced using the output device may enhance, amplify, mask, obscure, or cancel an inherent sound or tactile feedback produced by the input device.