Apple Inc.

Other

Gordon C Cameron

Ryan Joseph Garrone

Cameron P Frazier

Sean Anthony Mayo

Amaury J Heresztyn

Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram

Scott Allen Mullin

Brandon B Tulloch

John Danby

Steve Porter Hotelling

John Benjamin Filson

Michael Nathaniel Rosenblatt

Benjamin B Lyon

Russell Maschmeyer

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Stephen Brian Lynch

Jonathan M Haylock

Disclosed herein are methods for operating a computing device including determining an amount of pressure exerted on a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device. According to the various embodiments, a touch input is received by the touch-sensitive surface. The amount of pressure exerted by the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface is then determined. The computing device operates in a first manner when a first amount of pressure is received and operates in a second manner when a second amount of pressure is received.

Vibration sensing system and method for categorizing portable device context and modifying device operation

Haptic systems are disclosed which may provide increased resolution in tactile feedback. A tiered haptic system may be formed by stacking of haptic elements. One or more arrays of shape change elements such as, for example, piezoelectric elements may be used to actuate a screen surface. Arrays may also be used to sense tactile interactions and stimuli on a screen surface. An embedded haptic system may be formed by inserting haptic elements into a contoured elastic sheet. The embedded haptic system may provide tactile interactions to a user. In some embodiments, both tiered and embedded haptic arrangements may be used.

Methods and systems for providing haptic control

In various embodiments, an electronic band for a wearable device having: a first band segment including a first affixing structure configured to couple the first band segment to the wearable device when inserted into a first channel of the wearable device, a processing unit, and a first electrical connector having a plurality of contact pins at least some of which are electrically connected to the processing unit; where the first electrical connector electrically connects the processing unit of the first band segment to a second electronic component positioned within the wearable device when the first affixing structure is inserted into the first channel.

Portable electronic device connector

An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.

Armband for holding an electronic device

In various embodiments, an affixing structure of a connector is configured to attach to an affixing structure interface of a portable electronic device that is configured to also couple to an attachment member. A connector plug including conductors coupled to an electrical conduit is coupled to the affixing structure. The conductors are configured to electrically connect to one or more electric components of the portable electronic device and the electrical conduit is configured to electrically connect to one or more diagnostic devices. In some embodiments, an attachment member may include one or more electronic components and spring pins or other conductors connectible to a wearable device. The attachment member additionally includes a connector operable to connect the wearable device to another electronic device.

Vibration sensing system and method for categorizing portable device context and modifying device operations

In various embodiments, an affixing structure of a connector is configured to attach to an affixing structure interface of a portable electronic device that is configured to also couple to an attachment member. A connector plug including conductors coupled to an electrical conduit is coupled to the affixing structure. The conductors are configured to electrically connect to one or more electric components of the portable electronic device and the electrical conduit is configured to electrically connect to one or more diagnostic devices. In some embodiments, an attachment member may include one or more electronic components and spring pins or other conductors connectable to a wearable device. The attachment member additionally includes a connector operable to connect the wearable device to another electronic device.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided. At least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component on an electronic device may be adjusted based on a detected variable device characteristic of the device, such as a temperature of a device component. By adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of the dynamic optical component, different portions of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be directed from the dynamic optical component for changing the variable device characteristic.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components

A portable device includes: an enclosure, one or more processors for executing one or more programs; one or more actuators in or on the enclosure for generating mechanical vibrations; one or more sensors in or on the enclosure for detecting mechanical vibrations; and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The device analyzes one or more signals produced by the one or more sensors with respect to mechanical vibrations to determine a holding state of the portable device, and conditionally modifies operation of at least one application executed by the one or more processors in accordance with the determined holding state.

A hinge apparatus includes an inner cylindrical housing having a first slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the inner cylindrical housing, and an outer cylindrical housing having a second slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the outer cylindrical housing and being configured to engage with the inner cylindrical housing. The first slot and second slot form unique paths which prevent complete alignment of the first slot and the second slot during axial rotation of the hinge apparatus.

Coaxial hinge apparatus

Integrated touch sensor and solar panel stack-up configurations that may be used on portable devices, particularly handheld portable devices such as a media player or phone are disclosed. The solar cell stack-up configurations may include one or more touch sensor layers and one or more solar cell layers. By integrating both the touch sensors and the solar cell layers into the same stack-up, surface area on the portable device may be conserved. The solar panel may be mounted face down or otherwise obstructed by a touch sensor or other component. In this configuration, the device may include light channels that allow light into the device and direct the light around the component and to the solar panel. A parabolic reflector may be used to direct the light.

Integrated touch sensor and solar assembly

Integrated touch sensor and solar panel configurations that may be used on portable devices, particularly handheld portable devices such as a media player or phone are disclosed. The integrated touch sensor array and solar cell stack-ups may include electrodes that are used both for collecting solar energy and for sensing on a touch sensor array. By integrating both the touch sensors and the solar cell layers into the same stack-up, surface area on the portable device may be conserved. In addition to being used for capacitive sensing, the integrated touch sensor and solar panel configurations may also be used for optical sensing.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Gordon C Cameron