Methods and apparatus for capacitive sensing

    公开(公告)号:US10452210B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-10-22

    申请号:US15356215

    申请日:2016-11-18

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    摘要: The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user, but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.

    Force sensor for use in an input device and methods for constructing and using the sensor

    公开(公告)号:US10309849B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-04

    申请号:US14845542

    申请日:2015-09-04

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    IPC分类号: G01L5/16 G01L5/22 G06F3/0354

    摘要: The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.

    Disappearing button or slider
    4.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10146383B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-04

    申请号:US15217273

    申请日:2016-07-22

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    摘要: An input device is operable to detect input. The input device is a deflection based capacitive sensing input device. Deflection of a metal frame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input device appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user.

    Disappearing button or slider
    5.
    发明授权
    Disappearing button or slider 有权
    消失的按钮或滑块

    公开(公告)号:US09400579B2

    公开(公告)日:2016-07-26

    申请号:US14282375

    申请日:2014-05-20

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    摘要: An input device is configured to receive input. The input is a deflection based capacitive sensing input. Deflection of a metal fame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user.

    摘要翻译: 输入设备被配置为接收输入。 输入是基于偏转的电容感测输入。 输入设备的金属声音的偏转导致用于控制电子设备的功能的电容的变化。 输入显示为不可见的,因为它由与其所包含的外壳相同的材料制成。隐形背光孔可以使输入选择性地对用户可见或不可见。

    Force Sensor for Use in an Input Device and Methods for Constructing and Using the Sensor
    6.
    发明申请
    Force Sensor for Use in an Input Device and Methods for Constructing and Using the Sensor 审中-公开
    用于输入设备的力传感器和构建和使用传感器的方法

    公开(公告)号:US20150377727A1

    公开(公告)日:2015-12-31

    申请号:US14845542

    申请日:2015-09-04

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    IPC分类号: G01L5/16 G06F3/0354

    摘要: The disclosure addresses a force sensor that is scalable in size and adaptable to a variety of form factors, including those suitable for use in an input device for a computer or other processing system, and in some cases including those of the configuration normally referred to as a computer mouse. The force sensor will include at least two structural members that are cooperatively attached one another as to be displaced from one another in response to a force acting upon one of the structural members. In some examples, the engagement between the two structural members will be specifically configured to allow such displacement in response to forces acting laterally on the force sensor. The force sensor will also include one or more sensing mechanisms to provide a measurement of the sensed deflection.

    摘要翻译: 本公开涉及一种力传感器,其尺寸可扩展并适应于各种形状因子,包括适用于计算机或其他处理系统的输入装置的形状因子,并且在一些情况下包括通常称为 一台电脑鼠标。 力传感器将包括至少两个结构构件,这两个结构构件彼此协作地附接,以响应于作用在结构构件之一上的力彼此移位。 在一些示例中,两个结构构件之间的接合将被特别地构造成响应于横向地作用在力传感器上的力而允许这种位移。 力传感器还将包括一个或多个传感机构来提供感测到的偏转的测量。

    Disappearing Button or Slider
    7.
    发明申请
    Disappearing Button or Slider 审中-公开
    消失的按钮或滑块

    公开(公告)号:US20140253506A1

    公开(公告)日:2014-09-11

    申请号:US14282375

    申请日:2014-05-20

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    IPC分类号: G06F3/044 G06F3/041

    摘要: An input device is disclosed. The input is a deflection based capacitive sensing input. Deflection of a metal fame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user.

    摘要翻译: 公开了一种输入装置。 输入是基于偏转的电容感测输入。 输入设备的金属声音的偏转导致用于控制电子设备的功能的电容的变化。 输入显示为不可见的,因为它由与其所包含的外壳相同的材料制成。隐形背光孔可以使输入选择性地对用户可见或不可见。

    Methods and Apparatus for Capacitive Sensing
    8.
    发明申请
    Methods and Apparatus for Capacitive Sensing 审中-公开
    电容感测方法与装置

    公开(公告)号:US20140247248A1

    公开(公告)日:2014-09-04

    申请号:US14275730

    申请日:2014-05-12

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    IPC分类号: G06F3/044

    摘要: The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing, capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.

    摘要翻译: 本公开涉及使用导电表面促进电容感测的方法和装置,并且有助于感测靠近导电表面。 感测的接近度通常是用户的接近度,但是可以是参考电压电位的另一个来源。 在一些示例中,所描述的系统能够感测包括外部导电表面的电路中的电容(包括寄生电容),并且其中外部导电表面处于浮动电位。 在一些系统中,系统可以在两种操作模式之间切换,其中系统将感测到与导电表面接近的第一模式,以及其中系统将使用电容测量来感测与导电表面的接触的第二模式。

    Disappearing button or slider
    9.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11353921B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-06-07

    申请号:US17129603

    申请日:2020-12-21

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    摘要: An input device is operable to detect input. The input device is a deflection based capacitive sensing input device. Deflection of a metal frame of the input device causes a change in capacitance that is used to control a function of an electrical device. The input device appears invisible because it is made of the same material as the housing it is contained in. Invisible backlit holes may make the input selectively visible or invisible to the user.

    Touch and hover sensing
    10.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10268303B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-23

    申请号:US15083102

    申请日:2016-03-28

    申请人: Apple Inc.

    摘要: Improved capacitive touch and hover sensing with a sensor array is provided. An AC ground shield positioned behind the sensor array and stimulated with signals of the same waveform as the signals driving the sensor array may concentrate the electric field extending from the sensor array and enhance hover sensing capability. The hover position and/or height of an object that is nearby, but not directly above, a touch surface of the sensor array, e.g., in the border area at the end of a touch screen, may be determined using capacitive measurements of sensors near the end of the sensor array by fitting the measurements to a model. Other improvements relate to the joint operation of touch and hover sensing, such as determining when and how to perform touch sensing, hover sensing, both touch and hover sensing, or neither.