公开(公告)号：US11487362B1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-01

申请号：US16989657

申请日：2020-08-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alex J. Lehmann ,  Robert Y. Cao ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Mikael M. Silvanto ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Robert J. Lockwood

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G01L1/16 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: A force input/haptic output interface for an electronic device can include a force input sensor and a haptic actuator. In one example, the force input sensor and the haptic actuator are accommodated on a frame positioned below an input surface. In many examples, the frame includes relieved portions that redirect and/or concentrate compression or tension in the haptic actuator into the frame.

公开(公告)号：US11460946B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-04

申请号：US17360970

申请日：2021-06-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Ming Yu ,  Xianwei Zhao ,  Xiaonan Wen ,  Shan Wu ,  Xiaofan Niu

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F3/0354

Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US11353933B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US16885045

申请日：2020-05-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Xiaonan Wen ,  Shingo Yoneoka

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16M11/10 ,  G06F3/01

Abstract: A notebook computer may include a display portion, a base portion, a hinge mechanism movably coupling the display portion to the base portion, an optical sensing system configured to capture an image of an object, an actuation system comprising a shape-memory alloy member coupled to the base portion and the display portion and configured to move the display portion relative to the base portion, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to determine a target position for the display portion based at least in part on a location of the object in the image and cause the actuation system to actuate the hinge mechanism to move the display portion, relative to the base portion, from an initial position to the target position.

公开(公告)号：US11237655B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-01

申请号：US16921705

申请日：2020-07-06

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

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.

公开(公告)号：US20220011905A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-13

申请号：US17484930

申请日：2021-09-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

IPC: 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：US11137861B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-05

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: G06F3/16 ,  G06F3/044 ,  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：US11054932B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-06

申请号：US16102557

申请日：2018-08-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Ming Yu ,  Xianwei Zhao ,  Xiaonan Wen ,  Shan Wu ,  Xiaofan Niu

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F3/0354

Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US10732743B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-04

申请号：US15965838

申请日：2018-04-27

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 ,  G09F13/04 ,  H01L25/075 ,  H01L31/16 ,  F21Y115/10

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.

公开(公告)号：US09965930B1

公开(公告)日：2018-05-08

申请号：US15698792

申请日：2017-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： David L. Christensen ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Qiliang Xu

IPC: H04M1/00 ,  G08B6/00 ,  H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/047 ,  H04M1/02 ,  G01L9/08 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: G08B6/00 ,  G01L1/16 ,  G01L1/26 ,  G01L9/085 ,  G06F3/016 ,  H01L41/042 ,  H01L41/047 ,  H01L41/08 ,  H01L41/094 ,  H01L41/1132 ,  H04M1/026 ,  H04M1/0266 ,  H04M2250/12 ,  H04M2250/22

Abstract: An electronic device may include a beam layer, a piezoelectric material layer coupled to the beam layer, and a temperature sensor adjacent the piezoelectric material layer. The electronic device may also include drive circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric material layer and configured to drive the piezoelectric material layer with a low frequency drive signal for actuating the piezoelectric material layer, and a high frequency drive signal for sensing a pressure applied to the piezoelectric material layer. The high frequency drive signal may have a higher frequency than the low frequency drive signal. The electronic device may also include readout circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric material layer and configured to generate a sensed pressure value based upon the high frequency drive signal. Temperature compensation circuitry may cooperate with the readout circuitry to compensate the sensed pressure value based upon the temperature sensor.

公开(公告)号：US11755128B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-12

申请号：US17461711

申请日：2021-08-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alex J. Lehmann ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Blake R. Marshall ,  Nathaniel M. Parnell ,  Wesley W. Zuber ,  Henry N. Tsao ,  Xiaofan Niu ,  Pavan Gupta ,  Nahid Harjee ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Brenton A. Baugh

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/0442

Abstract: A stylus input device can allow a user to interface with an external electronic device. The stylus can provide an additional or alternative input to the external electronic device in response to a user applying a compressive force to the device housing. The stylus can include multiple sensors to provide a signal in response to the compressive force applied to the stylus.