Apple Inc.

Collin R Petty

Tyler S Bushnell

Adam Thomas Clavelle

Martin Paul Grunthaner

Andrew W Joyce

Pavan Gupta

Albert Lin

Daniel J Bechstein

John R Matthews

Baboo V Gowreesunker

Julian K Shutzberg

An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

Capacitive gap sensor ring for an input device

A compliant material, such as a conductive foam, is positioned in the dielectric or capacitive gap between drive and sense electrodes and/or other conductive elements of a capacitive and/or other force sensor, such as a TFT or other display element and a sensor assembly. The compliant material prevents damage by preventing and/or cushioning contact. The compliant material may be conductive. By being conductive and being positioned between the electrodes while still being separated from one or more of the electrodes, the compliant material also shortens the effective electrical distance between the electrodes. As a result, the force sensor may be more sensitive than would otherwise be possible while being less vulnerable to damage.

Compliant material for protecting capacitive force sensors and increasing capacitive sensitivity

Disclosed are electronic devices and methods of their operation that use force sensors to detect user applied forces on an input surface and determine their locations on the input surface, using only force sensors. The locations may be determined using weighted averages of the positions of the force sensors and their values. The methods may compare dynamically updated baseline force values to received force sensor values to distinguish user applied forces from changes in the force sensor values caused other sources. After detection of a user applied force, the baseline force values are frozen, and the force sensor values used to find the location on the input surface where the user applied the force. The electronic device can operate according to a state space model, with a first state in which there is no user applied force, and a second state in which there is user applied force.

Sensing force and press location in absence of touch information

An input mechanism for an electronic watch includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

Capacitive gap sensor ring for an electronic watch

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Collin R Petty