The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2011
Stanley Rabu, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Ching Yu John Tam, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Stanley Rabu, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Ching Yu John Tam, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for processing user events are provided. In particular, one or more sensor modules and processor modules are provided that can be operated to detect user events, such as the pressing of an otherwise mechanical switch. In many electronic devices, touch display screens are provided to the user for interfacing with the device. These displays often must also include one or more mechanical switches to provide necessary functionality. The functionality, however, comes at the cost of reduced aesthetics, and potentially increased manufacturing costs related to fabricating one or more holes in the display substrate. The sensor module disclosed herein can be configured such that collected pressure data can be focused, such as linear expansion data or deflection data. By collecting two different types of focused data, the apparatus can more accurately determine whether a user event has occurred. Additional types of sensors may also be utilized to provide even more reliable results.