Apple Inc.

Shapirten Laboratories LLC

Daniel J Bechstein

John Stephen Smith

Martin Paul Grunthaner

Andrew W Joyce

Pavan Gupta

Albert Lin

Travis N Owens

Collin R Petty

John R Matthews

Vipin Ayanoor-Vitikkate

Nahid Harjee

Blake R Marshall

Supratik Datta

MohammadAli Khorrami

Daniell Dokko

Jeremy A Bagnol

Michael Vosgueritchian

Sinan Filiz

Vyom Sharma

Duc T Duong

Electronic devices can include a textured exterior surface that is used for controlling functions associated with the electronic device or another electronic device when an object moves along the textured exterior surface. In some examples, the textured exterior surface can be a multi-directional textured surface to enable multi-directional touch functionality. In some examples, sensors of the electronic device can detect signal inputs generated by vibrations caused by the object moving along the textured exterior surface. The signal inputs can be processed to determine the directionality and/or speed of the movement input.

Multi-directional texture based input device

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for enabling a power efficient stylus for an electronic device are provided. Various components may be provided for providing electrostatic discharge protection of such a stylus.

Electrostatic discharge protection of a power efficient stylus for an electronic device

An input device comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising non-linear circuitry; resistive circuitry including a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) coupled to the PCB in parallel with the non-linear circuitry; and a hinge coupled to the PCB and the FSR configured to strain the FSR in response to a force applied to a tip of the input device. A stylus comprising: a housing; and stylus circuitry at least partially positioned within the housing, wherein the stylus circuitry comprises: body circuitry; a front tip interface; and front tip stylus circuitry positioned between and electrically coupled to the body circuitry and the front tip interface, wherein the front tip stylus circuitry comprises non-linear circuitry in parallel with physical interaction characteristic (PIC) circuitry; wherein the front tip stylus circuitry is operative to provide a non-linear load between the body circuitry and the front tip interface when the stylus is stimulated by an external stimulation; wherein the non-linear load is operative to provide a stylus electric field that is detectable by an electronic device when the front tip interface of the stylus is positioned adjacent an input surface of the electronic device; and wherein a resistance of the PIC circuitry is adjustable based on a force applied to the tip interface or based on a tilt angle of the stylus. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes; stimulation and sensing circuitry configured to transmit signals on the plurality of first electrodes and sense receive signals on the plurality of second electrodes; and processing circuitry configured to: extract, from the sensed receive signals, data indicative of a non-linear response to the transmit signals; estimate a position of an accessory on a surface of the electronic device based on the extracted data; and estimate a force applied to the accessory in contact with the surface of the electronic device or a tilt angle of the accessory relative to the surface of the electronic device based on the extracted data.

Mechanically sensitive power efficient stylus for an electronic device

A capacitive gap force sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a first layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second layer of conductive material positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer has a first compression resistance less than a second compression resistance of the second layer. An effective capacitive sensing gap is defined between the first electrode and the second layer. The first layer is configured to compress or deform and alter the effective capacitive sensing gap when a force is received at the first electrode or the second electrode.

Capacitive gap force sensor with multi-layer fill

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

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Daniel J Bechstein