Apple Inc.

Paul Xiaopeng Wang

Dinesh C Mathew

Alex Joseph Lehmann

Zheng Gao

Keith J Hendren

Qiliang Xu

Adam T Garelli

Aidan N Zimmerman

Chang Zhang

Bryan W Posner

Craig C Leong

Robert Y Cao

Ray Ling Chang

Ivan S Maric

Abidur Rahman Chowdhury

Simon R Lancaster-Larocque

Ryan P Brooks

Nicholas Alan Rundle

Simon S Lee

Denis H Endisch

Benjamin Andrew Shaffer

Brett W Degner

Daniel D Sunshine

Christiaan A Ligtenberg

Michelle Rae Goldberg

Stephen E Dey

Madeleine S Cordier

Dustin A Hatfield

Mikael M Silvanto

Markus Peter Diebel

Julian Jaede

Nicolas Pedro Lylyk

Victor H Yin

Jun Qi

Matthew Phillip Casebolt

Bradley Joseph Hamel

Seung Wook Kim

Thomas W Wilson, Jr

John C DiFonzo

Brenton A Baugh

Eric Andrew Knopf

Pol Pla I Conesa

Michael J Rockwell

Duncan Robert Kerr

Bartley K Andre

Richard P Howarth

Peter N Russell-Clarke

Shota Aoyagi

Molly J Anderson

Clement Tissandier

Marine C Bataille

Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne

M Evans Hankey

Moises Hernandez Hernandez

Jeremy C Franklin

Xiang Zhang

Kainoa Kwon-Perez

Alexandre B Girard

Anne-Marie Heck

Christopher R Wilk

Trevor J Ness

Jiaying Wu

Melody L Kuna

Daniel K Boothe

Jonathan P Ive

Eugene Antony Whang

Daniele De Iuliis

Jody R Akana

Jeremy D Bataillou

Julian Hoenig

Anthony Michael Ashcroft

Marc A Newson

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Jonathan Gomez Garcia

Sung-Ho Tan

Emery Artemus Sanford

John Patrick Ternus

Joe Sung-Ho Tan

Phillip Michael Hobson

Matthew S Rogers

Naoto Matsuyuki

John B Morrell

Christopher D Jones

Martin Melcher

Jerzy S Guterman

Rodney Andres Gomez Angulo

Brian Michael King

Nahid Harjee

Christopher T Eubank

Samuel Gilkison Smith

Darshan R Kasar

Ehsan Khajeh

Edward S Huo

Golnaz Abdollahian

James Alexander Stryker

Eric R Prather

Ari P Miller

Pavan Gupta

Wing Kong Low

Luis R Deliz Centeno

A force input/haptic output interface for an electronic device can include a force input sensor and a haptic actuator. In one example, the force input sensor and the haptic actuator are accommodated on a frame positioned below an input surface. In many examples, the frame includes relieved portions that redirect and/or concentrate compression or tension in the haptic actuator into the frame.

Enclosure with locally-flexible regions

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for enhancing a user's listening experience by adjusting physical attributes of an audio playback system based on detected environmental attributes of the system's environment.

Enhancing a listening experience by adjusting physical attributes of an audio playback system based on detected environmental attributes of the system's environment

A head-mounted device includes an external facing sensor configured to generate a signal corresponding to a characteristic of an external environment. A controller is configured to determine that a quality of the signal is below a threshold value and take an action in response. Another embodiment includes a case for storing a head-mounted device that includes a cleaner coupled with a base or a lid of case. The cleaner is configured to clean a portion of the head-mounted device when the head-mounted device is inserted into and/or removed from the case.

Panel cleaning system

A head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can provide guidance for optimal placement of the head-mountable device. The head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can be operated to guide a user to position the head-mountable device in a manner that will achieve proper alignment of components with respect to the user and maximize user comfort. For example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can include sensors for detecting features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or alignment with the face (e.g., eyes). By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in adjustment and infer user discomfort based on the frequency and/or magnitude of such changes. By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in features of the user's face before, during, and/or after use of the head-mountable device.

Fit guidance for head-mountable devices

Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device that distributes forces along the user's head. A head-mountable device can include head securement element with a support element to engage the head of the user. The support element can be coupled to the frame or light seal module of the head-mountable device. The support element can be attachable or deployable from the head-mountable device. A head-mountable device can also distribute forces with a support portion extending from a band.

Support for head-mountable device

Display module for head-mounted display

Housing portion for head-mounted display

A computer input device can include a housing, a set of key switch mechanisms positioned in the housing, and a removable key structure that is operable between a first configuration positioned in the housing and a second configuration detached from the housing. The removable key can have a position sensor, wherein in the first configuration, the removable key structure is operable to provide a key-based typing input, and, in the second configuration, the removable key structure is operable as a computer pointing device using the position sensor. The removable key structure can therefore allow comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system.

Deployable key mouse

Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Low-travel illuminated key mechanism

An electronic device may have a housing. The housing may be characterized by a vertical axis and may have housing structures such as cylindrical housing structures with a cylindrical surface. A speaker may be mounted in the housing to provide sound through openings in the housing structures. A visual output device may be mounted in the housing to provide light through openings in the housing structures. The visual output device may include an electrophoretic display, a light-emitting diode display, or other display with an array of pixels that display images or may include other components for emitting light. During operation, voice commands may be received by a microphone in the device and action taken based on the commands and other information. The action taken may include playing sound with the speaker and providing visual output with the visual output device.

Electronic device with sensors and display devices

A head-mounted device may have a head-mounted support structure that is configured to be worn on a head of a user. The head-mounted support structure may include a flexible rear portion that at least partially defines a central opening through which the displays in the head-mounted device are viewable. The flexible rear portion may conform to a face of the user when the head-mounted device is worn by the user. A removable cushion may be selectively attached to the flexible rear portion of the head-mounted support structure. The removable cushion may conform to and directly contact the face of the user when the head-mounted device is worn by the user. The removability of the cushion may allow for the cushion to be easily cleaned, easily replaced when worn, and customized to a user's aesthetic and comfort preferences.

Device with a removable cushion

Disclosed herein is an input device having adjustable input mechanisms. The input mechanisms of the input device may be dynamically adjusted based on one or more input characteristics associated with a user. Accordingly, the input device may be customized to fit a user's input preferences.

Input device having adjustable input mechanisms

A head-mountable display with a light shield that can be modified to reduce the friction against softer more pliable portions of a user's face when the head-mountable display is worn by the user. The head-mountable display can also be configured to capture images of the user's face when it is worn and then create an avatar of the user's face. The avatar can be digitally adjusted to reflect an avatar that more closely aligns with the user's desired configuration.

Facial interface

Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.

Mountable tool computer input

An electronic pointing device such as a computer mouse may be used in gathering user input from a user. The electronic pointing device may be provided with a light source that illuminates a portion of a surface that is overlapped by the mouse and a light sensor configured to monitor movement of the electronic pointing device across the surface based on reflected light from the illuminated portion. The electronic pointing device may have an array of sensors on a housing sidewall configured to gather information on the location of a finger of the user in an area that is laterally adjacent to the electronic pointing device. The sensors may be optical sensors based on light-sources such as light-emitting diodes or lasers and light detectors. Capacitive sensors may also be used in gathering user finger input in the area laterally adjacent to the electronic pointing device.

Electronic devices with extended input-output capabilities

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Paul Xiaopeng Wang