Patents by Inventor Richard D. Shuma
Richard D. Shuma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10496222Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the device includes one or more force sensors at its perimeter. The force sensors can be included in a gasket further comprising a rubber-like gasket cover and a compressible dielectric such as air or silicone, for example. A plurality of conductive plates can be embedded in the gasket cover with routing traces coupled thereto to sense a capacitance between the conductive plates. The gasket, including the one or more capacitive sensors, can be disposed between a cover glass and a lower housing of the electronic device. The capacitance of the one or more sensors can change in response to an applied force at the cover glass of the device. The change in capacitance can be sensed via the routing traces to measure the magnitude and, in some examples, location of the applied force.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Shuma, Kristen Carnohan
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Patent number: 10416803Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the device includes one or more force sensors at its perimeter. The force sensors can be included in a gasket further comprising a rubber-like gasket cover and a compressible dielectric such as air or silicone, for example. A plurality of conductive plates can be embedded in the gasket cover with routing traces coupled thereto to sense a capacitance between the conductive plates. The gasket, including the one or more capacitive sensors, can be disposed between a cover glass and a lower housing of the electronic device. The capacitance of the one or more sensors can change in response to an applied force at the cover glass of the device. The change in capacitance can be sensed via the routing traces to measure the magnitude and, in some examples, location of the applied force.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Shuma, Kristen Carnohan
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Publication number: 20190025981Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the device includes one or more force sensors at its perimeter. The force sensors can be included in a gasket further comprising a rubber-like gasket cover and a compressible dielectric such as air or silicone, for example. A plurality of conductive plates can be embedded in the gasket cover with routing traces coupled thereto to sense a capacitance between the conductive plates. The gasket, including the one or more capacitive sensors, can be disposed between a cover glass and a lower housing of the electronic device. The capacitance of the one or more sensors can change in response to an applied force at the cover glass of the device. The change in capacitance can be sensed via the routing traces to measure the magnitude and, in some examples, location of the applied force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Richard D. SHUMA, Kristen CARNOHAN
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Patent number: 10161814Abstract: A sensor is disposed between a first component and a second component of an electronic device. The sensor includes a first surface having a first dimension and a second surface having a second dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the sensor has a tapered profile.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Martisauskas, Richard D. Shuma
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Patent number: 10162446Abstract: In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yuta Kuboyama, Vikram Garg, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20180081485Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the device includes one or more force sensors at its perimeter. The force sensors can be included in a gasket further comprising a rubber-like gasket cover and a compressible dielectric such as air or silicone, for example. A plurality of conductive plates can be embedded in the gasket cover with routing traces coupled thereto to sense a capacitance between the conductive plates. The gasket, including the one or more capacitive sensors, can be disposed between a cover glass and a lower housing of the electronic device. The capacitance of the one or more sensors can change in response to an applied force at the cover glass of the device. The change in capacitance can be sensed via the routing traces to measure the magnitude and, in some examples, location of the applied force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Richard D. SHUMA, Kristen CARNOHAN
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Publication number: 20180081400Abstract: An electronic device having a housing that defines an interior volume, the housing being suitable for carrying at least a processor within the internal volume, the housing comprising an edge that defines an opening that provides access to the internal volume. The electronic device can have a cover carried at the edge of the housing and within the opening and having an external surface capable of receiving an external force and a sealing element disposed between the housing and the cover, with the sealing element preventing intrusion of liquid into the internal volume. The sealing element can include a sealing material and a sensor contained within the sealing material that senses that an external force is applied to the external surface of the cover and, in response, provides a signal to the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Sameer PANDYA, Rui QIAO, Richard D. SHUMA, William GREENBAUM
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Patent number: 9829397Abstract: An electronic device includes a seal compressed between a moveable structure and a support. A retainer maintains seal compression in a first direction absent force exerted on the moveable structure. However, the retainer allows increased seal compression by moving in a second, opposing direction when force is exerted on the moveable structure. A force sensor (positioned internal to the seal) is influenced by movement of the moveable structure in response to the force and a signal received from the force sensor indicates an amount of the force. By maintaining the seal in compression but allowing further compression, the seal can hermetically seal the electronic device against contaminant entry without adversely impacting detection of the amount of force.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William C. Lukens, Brad Boozer, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20170322660Abstract: In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Yuta Kuboyama, Vikram Garg, Richard D. Shuma
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Patent number: 9715301Abstract: In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yuta Kuboyama, Vikram Garg, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20170089773Abstract: An electronic device includes a seal compressed between a moveable structure and a support. A retainer maintains seal compression in a first direction absent force exerted on the moveable structure. However, the retainer allows increased seal compression by moving in a second, opposing direction when force is exerted on the moveable structure. A force sensor (positioned internal to the seal) is influenced by movement of the moveable structure in response to the force and a signal received from the force sensor indicates an amount of the force. By maintaining the seal in compression but allowing further compression, the seal can hermetically seal the electronic device against contaminant entry without adversely impacting detection of the amount of force.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: William C. Lukens, Brad Boozer, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20170038877Abstract: In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Yuta Kuboyama, Vikram Garg, Richard D. Shuma
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Publication number: 20160349123Abstract: A sensor is disposed between a first component and a second component of an electronic device. The sensor includes a first surface having a first dimension and a second surface having a second dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the sensor has a tapered profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Steven J. Martisauskas, Richard D. Shuma