公开(公告)号：US10198089B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-05

申请号：US14848289

申请日：2015-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Priyanka Bhandari ,  Blake R. Marshall ,  Li-Quan Tan ,  Reza Nasiri Mahalati ,  Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Kevin C. Armendariz

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/038

Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.

公开(公告)号：US20190027325A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US16140300

申请日：2018-09-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Eric A. Knopf ,  Matthew P. Casebolt ,  Craig C. Leong ,  Robert Y. Cao ,  Bradford J. Zercoe ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Zheng Gao ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Bruce E. Berg

IPC: H01H13/7065 ,  G06F1/16 ,  H01H13/02 ,  H01H13/10 ,  H01H13/83 ,  H01H13/88 ,  H01H13/705 ,  H01H3/12 ,  G06F3/02 ,  H01H13/70 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/04

Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.

公开(公告)号：US10002731B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-19

申请号：US14926618

申请日：2015-10-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Waylon Y. Chen

IPC: H01H13/14 ,  H01H23/28 ,  H01H23/04

CPC classification number: H01H23/28 ,  H01H23/04 ,  H01H2205/002 ,  H01H2209/006 ,  H01H2215/004 ,  H01H2217/012 ,  H01H2221/016 ,  H01H2221/05 ,  H01H2221/064 ,  H01H2227/032

Abstract: A rocker input mechanism includes an actuator that is operable to pivot against the interior surface of a housing through which an actuation surface of the actuator projects. Pivots or up-stops on the edges of the actuator are biased against the interior surface by dome switches contacting a switching surface of the actuator that is opposite the actuation surface. Thus, the actuator is able to pivot with respect to the interior surface to activate the dome switches when force is exerted on the actuation surface without bending or flexing like typical rocker buttons. As a result, the rocker input mechanism may have a feel to a user similar to non-rocking input mechanisms like single mode buttons.

公开(公告)号：US20170069444A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-09

申请号：US15233877

申请日：2016-08-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Paul X. Wang ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Zheng Gao

IPC: H01H13/52 ,  H01H11/00 ,  H01H13/02 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/705

CPC classification number: H01H13/023 ,  G06F1/1662 ,  H01H13/52 ,  H01H13/705 ,  H01H13/83 ,  H01H2011/0087 ,  H01H2205/016 ,  H01H2219/062 ,  H01H2221/05 ,  H01H2223/002 ,  H01H2227/016 ,  H01H2227/026 ,  H01H2227/036 ,  H01H2229/02 ,  H01H2229/028 ,  H01H2229/036 ,  H01H2231/002

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a switch body defining a switch opening, a dome switch positioned in the switch opening, a film attached to a surface of the switch body and covering the switch opening, and a protrusion extending from the film in an area above the switch opening. The protrusion is configured to transfer a force from a keycap of a key to the dome switch when the keycap is depressed. The dome switch may include an upper dome below the film and a lower dome below the upper dome.

公开(公告)号：US09582085B2

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US14502949

申请日：2014-09-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Bruce E. Berg ,  Glenn Aune ,  Kevin C. Armendariz ,  Ryan P. Brooks

IPC: G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/046 ,  H01Q1/24 ,  H05K1/02 ,  H05K1/03 ,  H05K1/11 ,  H05K3/00 ,  H05K3/40 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H05K3/28

CPC classification number: G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H01L2223/6677 ,  H01L2224/16227 ,  H01L2924/3025 ,  H01Q1/243 ,  H05K1/0274 ,  H05K1/115 ,  H05K3/0014 ,  H05K3/284 ,  H05K3/4038 ,  H05K2201/09027 ,  H05K2201/09545

Abstract: An electronic device may have printed circuits to which electrical components are mounted. Plastic may be molded over a printed circuit. Vias may be formed in the printed circuit that connect metal traces on the surface of the molded plastic to metal traces on the printed circuit. The vias may be formed by drilling or by covering the metal traces on the printed circuit with mold pins in a molding tool during plastic molding operations. Plated metal traces or other metal traces may extend onto the interior surface of via holes. Vias may also be filled with conductive material such as solder or conductive adhesive. Metal members that are soldered or otherwise connected to printed circuit traces may be used in coupling surface metal traces to printed circuit traces. Antenna structure, shielding structures, and electrodes for a stylus may be formed using the metal traces on the molded plastic.

Abstract translation: 电子设备可以具有安装电气部件的印刷电路。 塑料可以在印刷电路上模制。 可以在印刷电路中形成通孔，其将模制塑料表面上的金属迹线连接到印刷电路上的金属迹线。 可以通过在塑料模制操作期间通过钻孔或通过在模制工具中的模具销覆盖印刷电路上的金属迹线来形成通孔。 镀金属痕迹或其他金属迹线可延伸到通孔的内表面。 通孔也可以填充导电材料，例如焊料或导电粘合剂。 焊接或以其他方式连接到印刷电路迹线的金属构件可用于将表面金属迹线耦合到印刷电路迹线。 用于触针的天线结构，屏蔽结构和电极可以使用模制塑料上的金属迹线形成。

公开(公告)号：US11972068B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US18106935

申请日：2023-02-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Wingshan Wong ,  Kevin Armendariz ,  Nathan Bohney ,  Christopher Pasma ,  Mahmoud Amini ,  Brenton A. Baugh ,  Ryan P. Brooks

IPC: G06F3/038 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/0383 ,  G06F3/03545 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/04162 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  G06F2203/04107

Abstract: A user input system including a stylus and an electronic device. A user may manipulate the stylus across an input surface of the electronic device and the movement may be detected using axially-aligned electric fields generated by the stylus. The stylus may also include a force-sensitive structure that can be used to estimate a force applied to the electronic device by the stylus.

公开(公告)号：US11610476B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-21

申请号：US16886286

申请日：2020-05-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Jeremy D. Bataillou ,  Keith J. Hendren ,  Nicholaus Lubinski ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  John M. Brock ,  Wayne W. Huang

IPC: G08C19/28 ,  G08C17/02 ,  H01H13/785 ,  H03K17/96

Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

公开(公告)号：US20220026998A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-27

申请号：US17497758

申请日：2021-10-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Wingshan Wong ,  Kevin Armendariz ,  Nathan Bohney ,  Christopher Pasma ,  Mahmoud Amini ,  Brenton A. Baugh ,  Ryan P. Brooks

IPC: G06F3/038 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/041

Abstract: A user input system including a stylus and an electronic device. A user may manipulate the stylus across an input surface of the electronic device and the movement may be detected using axially-aligned electric fields generated by the stylus. The stylus may also include a force-sensitive structure that can be used to estimate a force applied to the electronic device by the stylus.

公开(公告)号：US20210341967A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-04

申请号：US17373180

申请日：2021-07-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Santhana K. Balaji ,  Guangtao Zhang ,  John Raff ,  Ryan P. Brooks

IPC: G06F1/16

Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.

公开(公告)号：US20210263556A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-26

申请号：US16797971

申请日：2020-02-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brett W. Degner ,  Thomas R. Matzinger ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Scott J. Krahn ,  Arka P. Roy

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G06F3/0488 ,  G06F3/041

Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.