公开(公告)号：US20180341342A1

公开(公告)日：2018-11-29

申请号：US16055359

申请日：2018-08-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362

CPC classification number: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/005 ,  G04C3/007 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/163 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/0339

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US20210181865A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US17187429

申请日：2021-02-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G04C3/00 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

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.

公开(公告)号：US20230012897A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17951020

申请日：2022-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/00 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G04G21/08

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US11513613B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-29

申请号：US17187429

申请日：2021-02-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G04C3/00 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US10955937B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-23

申请号：US16708064

申请日：2019-12-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G04C3/00

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US10061399B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US15210917

申请日：2016-07-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F1/16

CPC classification number: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/005 ,  G04C3/007 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/163 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/0339

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US20180018026A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-18

申请号：US15210917

申请日：2016-07-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F1/16

CPC classification number: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/005 ,  G04C3/007 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/163 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/0339

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

公开(公告)号：US12086331B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-10

申请号：US17951020

申请日：2022-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tyler S. Bushnell ,  Collin R. Petty ,  Adam T. Clavelle

IPC: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/00 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/0338 ,  G04C3/005 ,  G04C3/007 ,  G04G21/08 ,  G06F1/163 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/0446 ,  G06F2203/0339 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

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.