公开(公告)号：US20200073511A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-05

申请号：US16402115

申请日：2019-05-02

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zhengyu Li ,  Elvis M. Kibiti ,  Ming Gao ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Chen Zhang

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  H04R1/02 ,  G06F3/16

Abstract: An electronic device such as a speaker device may have a curved housing characterized by a vertical longitudinal axis. A layer of fabric may cover the curved housing. A touch sensor may be used to detect touch input on the layer of fabric. The touch sensor may include capacitive touch sensor electrodes including drive lines and sense lines. In some arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive strands in the layer of fabric. In other arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive traces on a substrate. The substrate may be formed from portions of the curved housing or may be formed from a layer that is separate from the housing. Light-emitting components and/or fabric with different visual characteristics may be used to mark where the touch-sensitive regions of the fabric are located. The touch-sensitive regions may be shaped as media control symbols.

公开(公告)号：US10564724B1

公开(公告)日：2020-02-18

申请号：US15691545

申请日：2017-08-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Kathleen A. Bergeron ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Zheng Gao ,  Paul X. Wang

IPC: G06F3/038 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/0354

Abstract: An input device, such as a stylus, can include a piezoelectric device for providing haptic feedback and/or detecting user input. The piezoelectric device can be coupled to an inner surface of a housing of the stylus. The piezoelectric device can provide haptic feedback with a force to the housing when an electric voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device. The haptic feedback can provide information to the user relating operation of the stylus with an external device. The piezoelectric device can also produce an electric voltage when an input force is applied to an outer surface of the housing and transmitted to the piezoelectric device. The electric voltage can be used to detect tactile input from a user.

公开(公告)号：US20190073003A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-07

申请号：US15965840

申请日：2018-04-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Adam T. Garelli ,  Richard G. Huizar ,  Genie Kim ,  Robert J. Lockwood ,  Robert Y. Cao

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/01 ,  F21V8/00

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having an illuminated body that defines a virtual or dynamic trackpad. The electronic device includes a translucent layer defining a keyboard region and a dynamic input region along an external surface. A keyboard may be. positioned within the keyboard region and including a key surface and a switch element (e.g., to detect a keypress). A light control layer positioned below the translucent layer and within the dynamic input region may have a group of illuminable features. The electronic device may also include a group of light-emitting elements positioned below the optical diffuser. One or more of the light control layer or the group of light-emitting elements may be configured to illuminate the dynamic input region to display a visible boundary of an active input area. At least one of a size or a position of the visible boundary may be dynamically variable.

公开(公告)号：US20190069835A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-07

申请号：US15942499

申请日：2018-03-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Richard G. Huizar

IPC: A61B5/00 ,  G06F1/16 ,  A61B5/0205 ,  A61B5/1455

Abstract: An electronic device includes a translucent layer that forms a portion of an exterior of the electronic device, an opaque material positioned on the translucent layer that defines micro-perforations, and a processing unit operable to determine information about a user via the translucent layer. The processing unit may be operable to determine the information by transmitting optical energy through a first set of the micro-perforations into a body part of the user, receiving a reflected portion of the optical energy from the body part of the user through a second set of the micro-perforations, and analyzing the reflected portion of the optical energy.

公开(公告)号：US10097180B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-09

申请号：US15260242

申请日：2016-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alex J. Lehmann ,  Kenneth M. Silz ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Zheng Gao

IPC: H03K17/975 ,  H03K17/96 ,  H01H13/78

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dome switch and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap. The embodiment may further include a domed structure having upper and lower portions. The domed structure may be configured to deform in response to an input force received at the upper portion by the key cap. The embodiment may further include a collar affixed to the lower portion and extending toward the key cap. The collar may resist deformation of the domed surface.

公开(公告)号：US20180081483A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-22

申请号：US15267221

申请日：2016-09-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John S. Camp ,  Scott J. McEuen ,  Qiliang Xu

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: G06F3/016 ,  G06F1/169 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: A trackpad includes an interface module positioned below a cover layer. The interface module can include a support structure and a circuit board attached to the support structure. The support structure includes suspension elements that allow the cover layer to move vertically and/or horizontally. The circuit board can include one or more force sensors, touch sensors, and/or haptic output devices. In some embodiments, the one or more touch sensors are included in a separate touch-sensitive layer positioned between the cover layer and the interface module. Alternatively, an interface module can include a suspension element positioned below a circuit board.

公开(公告)号：US20180074694A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：US15692810

申请日：2017-08-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alex J. Lehmann ,  Chang Zhang ,  Dayu Qu ,  Kenneth M. Silz ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Zheng Gao ,  Scott J. McEuen ,  Reza Nasiri Mahalati

IPC: G06F3/0488 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: G06F3/04883 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/04886 ,  G06F2203/04104 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  G06F2203/04803

Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.

公开(公告)号：US12260052B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-25

申请号：US18362699

申请日：2023-07-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zhengyu Li ,  Elvis M. Kibiti ,  Ming Gao ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Chen Zhang

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/16 ,  H04R1/02

Abstract: An electronic device such as a speaker device may have a curved housing characterized by a vertical longitudinal axis. A layer of fabric may cover the curved housing. A touch sensor may be used to detect touch input on the layer of fabric. The touch sensor may include capacitive touch sensor electrodes including drive lines and sense lines. In some arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive strands in the layer of fabric. In other arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive traces on a substrate. The substrate may be formed from portions of the curved housing or may be formed from a layer that is separate from the housing. Light-emitting components and/or fabric with different visual characteristics may be used to mark where the touch-sensitive regions of the fabric are located. The touch-sensitive regions may be shaped as media control symbols.

公开(公告)号：US20230409151A1

公开(公告)日：2023-12-21

申请号：US18362699

申请日：2023-07-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zhengyu Li ,  Elvis M. Kibiti ,  Ming Gao ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Chen Zhang

IPC: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/16 ,  H04R1/02

CPC classification number: G06F3/0443 ,  H04R1/025 ,  G06F3/165

Abstract: An electronic device such as a speaker device may have a curved housing characterized by a vertical longitudinal axis. A layer of fabric may cover the curved housing. A touch sensor may be used to detect touch input on the layer of fabric. The touch sensor may include capacitive touch sensor electrodes including drive lines and sense lines. In some arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive strands in the layer of fabric. In other arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive traces on a substrate. The substrate may be formed from portions of the curved housing or may be formed from a layer that is separate from the housing. Light-emitting components and/or fabric with different visual characteristics may be used to mark where the touch-sensitive regions of the fabric are located. The touch-sensitive regions may be shaped as media control symbols.

公开(公告)号：US11740717B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-29

申请号：US17649516

申请日：2022-01-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Richard G. Huizar

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F1/16 ,  F21V33/00 ,  G09F13/08 ,  G09F13/06 ,  H01L25/075 ,  H01L31/16 ,  F21Y115/10 ,  G09F13/04

CPC classification number: G06F3/041 ,  F21V33/0052 ,  G06F1/1692 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0202 ,  G06F3/0362 ,  G09F13/06 ,  G09F13/08 ,  F21Y2115/10 ,  G06F1/1616 ,  G06F1/1626 ,  G09F13/0463 ,  H01L25/0753 ,  H01L31/16

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.