公开(公告)号：US11327237B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-10

申请号：US16905664

申请日：2020-06-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Tong Chen ,  Mark T. Winkler ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Tingjun Xu ,  Xianwei Zhao

IPC: G02B6/35 ,  G02B6/04 ,  G02B6/42 ,  H04B10/40 ,  H04B10/25 ,  G06T7/20 ,  G06T7/70

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a display. The housing defines an interior cavity and includes an optically-transmissive housing component. The display is disposed in the interior cavity and is viewable through the optically-transmissive housing component. An optoelectronic component is disposed in the interior cavity. An optical fiber extends between a first end positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component and a second end positioned adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component. The optical fiber defines a non-linear optical path between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the optical fiber is laterally offset from a lateral edge of the display.

公开(公告)号：US20220128730A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-28

申请号：US17571985

申请日：2022-01-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael K. McCord ,  Mehmet Mutlu ,  Ryan J. Linderman

IPC: G01V8/12 ,  F21V5/04 ,  F21V3/02

Abstract: An optical module includes a beam-tilting light source enclosure. The enclosure is coupled to a substrate that includes a light emitter connected thereto. The enclosure has a geometry such that the enclosure has a first surface configured to couple substantially flat to the substrate and a second surface tilted with respect to the first surface and configured to couple substantially flat to a component of an electronic device through which the light is to project. The enclosure is optically transmissive and covers the light source when coupled to the substrate. In this way, the enclosure may be assembled and used in the electronic device by coupling the first surface to the substrate and coupling the second surface to the component.

公开(公告)号：US10739855B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-11

申请号：US16017438

申请日：2018-06-25

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sora Kim ,  Martin P. Grunthaner ,  Rui Jin ,  Michael B. Wittenberg ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Henric Larsson ,  Giovanni Gozzini ,  Lucy Browning ,  Scott A. Myers

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H03K17/975 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F21/32 ,  H03K17/96

Abstract: An input device can be integrated within an electronic device and/or operably connected to an electronic device through a wired or wireless connection. The input device can include one or more force sensors positioned below a cover element of the input device or an input surface of the electronic device. The input device can include other components and/or functionality, such as a biometric sensor and/or a switch element.

公开(公告)号：US10089512B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-02

申请号：US15261953

申请日：2016-09-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Robert Y. Cao ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque

IPC: G06K3/02 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/52 ,  H01H13/86 ,  H05K5/00 ,  G06F3/02 ,  G06F21/32 ,  G06F3/01

Abstract: A button assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The button assembly integrates a biometric sensor below a top surface of the button. The button assembly is positioned relative to a secondary display of an electronic device. The secondary display can be positioned relative to a keyboard, such as above a top row of keys of the keyboard.

公开(公告)号：US12281957B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-22

申请号：US17664832

申请日：2022-05-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael K. McCord ,  Ehsan Khajeh ,  Brian M. King ,  Tong Chen ,  Yaser Shanjani

IPC: G01M11/02 ,  G02B3/00

Abstract: Acoustic optical integrity detection system architectures and methods can be used to detect optical integrity of an optical component by detecting a discontinuity on and/or in the optical component (e.g., on the optical surface and/or within the bulk of the optical component). In some examples, integrity detection can be used to ensure safety compliance of an optical system, optionally including a laser. Acoustic integrity detection can utilize transducers (e.g., piezoelectric transducers) to transmit ultrasonic waves along an optical surface and/or through the thickness of an optical component. A discontinuity of the optical surface can interact with the transmitted wave causing attenuation, redirection and/or reflection of at least a portion of the transmitted wave. Portions of the transmitted wave energy after interaction with the discontinuity can be measured to determine discontinuity location, type, and/or severity.

公开(公告)号：US12133314B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US17229729

申请日：2021-04-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yaser Shanjani ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Tong Chen

IPC: H05B47/20 ,  H02J50/10 ,  H04B5/70 ,  H04B10/11

CPC classification number: H05B47/20 ,  H02J50/10 ,  H04B5/70 ,  H04B10/11

Abstract: First and second parts of an optical component may be spatially separated and not electrically connected. A passive side may contain an optical element. An active side may contain a light-emitting device. To detect damage to the optical element, passive side circuitry that is associated with the optical element may monitor a fail-safe resistor on the optical element for changes in resistance. The circuitry may use a passive side near-field communications antenna to transmit information such as information on the fail-safe resistor to active side circuitry that is associated with the light-emitting device using near-field communications. The active side circuitry can receive the transmitted information using an active side near-field communications antenna and can adjust the light-emitting device accordingly. The active side circuitry can also monitor the active side near-field communications antenna to detect when the passive side and active side antennas have been moved apart.

公开(公告)号：US12105248B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-01

申请号：US18388140

申请日：2023-11-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael K. McCord ,  Mehmet Mutlu ,  Ryan J. Linderman

IPC: G01V8/12 ,  F21V3/02 ,  F21V5/04 ,  F21V17/10 ,  G01S7/481

CPC classification number: G01V8/12 ,  F21V3/02 ,  F21V5/04 ,  F21V17/101 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/4813

Abstract: An optical module includes a beam-tilting light source enclosure. The enclosure is coupled to a substrate that includes a light emitter connected thereto. The enclosure has a geometry such that the enclosure has a first surface configured to couple substantially flat to the substrate and a second surface tilted with respect to the first surface and configured to couple substantially flat to a component of an electronic device through which the light is to project. The enclosure is optically transmissive and covers the light source when coupled to the substrate. In this way, the enclosure may be assembled and used in the electronic device by coupling the first surface to the substrate and coupling the second surface to the component.

公开(公告)号：US12105247B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-01

申请号：US18197882

申请日：2023-05-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Michael K. McCord ,  Mehmet Mutlu ,  Ryan J. Linderman

IPC: G01V8/12 ,  F21V3/02 ,  F21V5/04 ,  F21V17/10 ,  G01S7/481

CPC classification number: G01V8/12 ,  F21V3/02 ,  F21V5/04 ,  F21V17/101 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/4813

Abstract: An optical module includes a beam-tilting light source enclosure. The enclosure is coupled to a substrate that includes a light emitter connected thereto. The enclosure has a geometry such that the enclosure has a first surface configured to couple substantially flat to the substrate and a second surface tilted with respect to the first surface and configured to couple substantially flat to a component of an electronic device through which the light is to project. The enclosure is optically transmissive and covers the light source when coupled to the substrate. In this way, the enclosure may be assembled and used in the electronic device by coupling the first surface to the substrate and coupling the second surface to the component.

公开(公告)号：US20240102852A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-28

申请号：US18077988

申请日：2022-12-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brandon J. Hui ,  Yaser Shanjani ,  Mark T. Winkler ,  Tong Chen ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Runyu Liu ,  Aaron Krahn

IPC: G01J1/02 ,  G01J1/04

CPC classification number: G01J1/0271 ,  G01J1/0407

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor includes a housing, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. A first light guide disposed in a first chimney of the housing is configured to direct light from the optical emitter through the first chimney towards a target location. A second light guide disposed in a second chimney of the housing is configured to direct a returned portion of the light emitted from the optical emitter through the second chimney towards the optical detector.

公开(公告)号：US20230288186A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-14

申请号：US18114143

申请日：2023-02-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Mark T. Winkler ,  Mehmet Mutlu ,  Omid Momtahan ,  Tong Chen ,  Wenrui Cai ,  Chau H. Nguyen ,  Giovanni Gozzini ,  Michael K. McCord ,  Orit A. Shamir ,  Prashanth S. Holenarsipur

IPC: G01B9/02 ,  G06F3/042 ,  G01S17/50 ,  G01P3/36 ,  H01S5/183 ,  G01B11/16

CPC classification number: G01B9/02092 ,  G06F3/0421 ,  G01S17/50 ,  G01P3/366 ,  H01S5/18386 ,  G01B11/161

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic devices having touch input surfaces. A user's touch input or press on the touch input surface is detected using a set of lasers, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) that emit beams of light toward the touch input surface. The user's touch causes changes in the self-mixing interference within the VCSEL of the emitted light with reflected light, such as from the touch input surface. Deflection and movement (e.g., drag motion) of the user's touch is determined from detected changes in the VCSELs' operation due to the self-mixing interference.