Apple Inc.

Matthew Thomas Metzler

Jonathan A Gordon

Parin Patel

Darya Amin-Shahidi

Denis G Chen

Shingo Yoneoka

Chi Kin Ho

Tristan R Hudson

Adriane S Niehaus

Eric M Innis

Michael S Weinstein

Adam I Papamarcos

Matthew N Weege

Michael Yiu Ka Diu

A software defined button includes a force sensor and a haptic output element. The button further includes an immutable logic core and a mutable logic core. The mutable logic core is configured to define one or more thresholds against which input received from the force sensor can be compared to determine whether a user input has been provided. The immutable logic core is configured to verify actual force input has been received when the mutable logic core signals that user input has been received. In response to receiving a verified force input, the haptic output element can be caused to be driven by one of the mutable or immutable logic cores to provide a haptic output to a user.

Secure integrated circuit for smart haptics

In an embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by a mechanical offset controller, input data; detecting, by the mechanical offset controller, a waveform command in the input data; responsive to the detecting, generating, by the mechanical offset controller, an unparking command; receiving, by a closed-loop controller, the unparking command; and moving, by the closed-loop controller, a mass in a haptic module from a mechanical resting position to a sensor reference position in accordance with the unparking command. The method further comprises: detecting, by the mechanical offset controller, that the input data does not include the waveform command; responsive to the detecting, generating, by the mechanical offset controller, a parking command; receiving, by a closed-loop controller, the parking command; and moving, by the closed-loop controller, the mass in the haptic module from the sensor reference position to the mechanical resting position in accordance with the parking command.

Power efficient, dynamic management of haptic module mechanical offset

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Matthew Thomas Metzler