公开(公告)号：US11460933B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-04

申请号：US17031549

申请日：2020-09-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Jacob Benjamin Bechstein ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Siddharth Shekar ,  Teera Songatikamas ,  Elvis Mwenda Kibiti ,  Jared A. Brauner ,  Lindsay Diane Rego Corbet ,  Wang Chung Alston Cheung ,  Vipin Ayanoor-Vitikkate ,  Nitin Sitaraman ,  Joyan Gratian Sanctis ,  Blake R. Marshall

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/038 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: In some examples, a stylus can include a conductive shield. In some examples, the conductive shield can include a plurality of traces along an edge of a printed circuit board (PCB) including the stylus circuitry. In some examples, the conductive shield can include a shield can coupled to the PCB and disposed around the components of the stylus circuitry. In some examples, the conductive shield can include a hollow portion into which the stylus circuitry can be disposed and a solid portion that can act as a reference electrode. In some examples, the conductive shield can include a hollow sleeve disposed around the stylus circuitry. In some examples, the conductive sleeve can be attached to the PCB. In some examples, the conductive sleeve can be disposed between layers of a housing of the stylus. In some examples, the conductive sleeve can be integrated with the stylus housing.

公开(公告)号：US20210294430A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-23

申请号：US17209033

申请日：2021-03-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Stephen Smith ,  David S. Graff ,  Nicolas M. Golzio ,  Shahrzad Pouryayevali ,  Wayne C. Westerman ,  Christophe Blondin

IPC: G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H01H13/7065

Abstract: An input device includes a keycap, a first electrode disposed to move in response to movement of the keycap, a planar array of electrodes extending at least partially under the keycap, and a sensor. The planar array of electrodes includes a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode extending between the second electrode and the third electrode. The sensor is coupled to at least one of the second electrode or the third electrode and configured to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the third electrode. The change in the capacitive coupling may result from movement of the first electrode.

公开(公告)号：US20200280792A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-03

申请号：US16875366

申请日：2020-05-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Stephen Smith ,  Storrs T. Hoen

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  G01L9/04 ,  G01L1/02

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic devices having a deformable surfaces through which a user can provide inputs to the device by applying a force such as a pinch or a squeeze. A particular embodiment is an earpiece with the deformable surface part of an elongate section extending from an earbud. The deformable surface includes an incompressible hyperelastic material and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing element and a void defined between the pressure sensing element and the incompressible hyperelastic material. An applied force is transferred by the incompressible hyperelastic material to compress the void and change an internal pressure thereof. The changed pressure is detected by the pressure sensor, and can result in changed operation of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US10275069B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-30

申请号：US16183343

申请日：2018-11-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Stephen Smith

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G02F1/1333

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a cover glass, one or more strain gauges operable to indicate force exerted on the cover glass based on deformation of the cover glass, a housing that defines a sway space gap into which the cover glass deforms when the force is exerted on the cover glass, and an incompressible fluid positioned in the sway space gap. The incompressible fluid allows deformation of the cover glass into the sway space gap when the force is exerted on the cover glass and maintains a constant volume under hydrostatic pressure.

公开(公告)号：US10209830B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-19

申请号：US15273577

申请日：2016-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James E. Pedder ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Michael Vosgueritchian ,  Vikram Garg ,  Sinan Filiz ,  Miguel C. Christophy

IPC: G06F3/045 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G01L5/00 ,  G01L1/18 ,  H01L27/32

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.

公开(公告)号：US20190025140A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US15658387

申请日：2017-07-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Stephen Smith

IPC: G01L1/22

Abstract: A strain-responsive sensor incorporating a strain-sensitive element is disclosed. The strain-sensitive element includes a matched-pair of resistive structures disposed on opposite sides of a substrate. One resistive structure is coupled to a crossover, either a physical crossover or a soft crossover, such that current within the resistive structures of the matched pair flows in the same direction. In addition, one resistive structure of the matched pair has a different loop area than the other resistive structure.

公开(公告)号：US10055048B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-21

申请号：US14815670

申请日：2015-07-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John Stephen Smith

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/0418

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a force sensing device. The force sensing device receives a continuous force input which is translated into a discrete event. In order to more accurately determine the type of discrete event intended by a user, the electronic device is able to determine an amount of noise present in the electronic device and dynamically adjust force threshold values associated with the force sensing device.

公开(公告)号：US20170285864A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-05

申请号：US15273577

申请日：2016-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James E. Pedder ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Michael Vosgueritchian ,  Vikram Garg ,  Sinan Filiz ,  Miguel C. Christophy

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H01L27/32 ,  G06F3/045

CPC classification number: G06F3/0418 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L1/2281 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  H01L27/323

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.

公开(公告)号：US20170023420A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-26

申请号：US14823910

申请日：2015-08-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael Vosgueritchian ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Sinan Filiz ,  James E. Pedder ,  Tingjun Xu ,  Xiaonan Wen

IPC: G01L1/22

CPC classification number: G01L1/225 ,  G01L1/22 ,  G01L1/2287 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F3/0488

Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.

Abstract translation: 电子设备中可以包括一个或多个应变传感器。 每个应变传感器包括应变敏感元件和直接连接到应变敏感元件的一个或多个应变信号线。 应变传感器用于检测施加到电子设备，电子设备中的部件和/或电子设备的输入区域或表面的力。 应变敏感元件被形成或加工成具有第一规格因子，并且应变信号线被形成或加工成具有不同的第二规格因子。 附加地或替代地，应变敏感元件被形成或加工成具有第一电导，并且应变信号线被形成或加工成具有不同的第二电导。

公开(公告)号：US20160139717A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-19

申请号：US14729172

申请日：2015-06-03

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sinan Filiz ,  James E. Pedder ,  Charley T. Ogata ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Dhaval Chandrakant Patel ,  Shin John Choi ,  Brian Q. Huppi ,  Christopher J. Butler ,  Martin P. Grunthaner

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G01L1/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G01L1/005 ,  G01L1/16 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  G06F2203/04111

Abstract: An optically transparent force sensor, which may be used as input to an electronic device. The optically transparent force sensor may be configured to compensate for variations in temperature using two or more force-sensitive components that are formed from materials having different temperature- and strain-dependent responses.

Abstract translation: 光学透明的力传感器，其可以用作电子设备的输入。 光学透明的力传感器可以被配置为使用由具有不同温度和应变依赖性响应的材料形成的两个或更多个力敏感组件来补偿温度变化。