Patents by Inventor Wayne C. Westerman

Wayne C. Westerman 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).

  • Patent number: 11977726
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors that detect intensities of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a user interface. While displaying the user interface, the electronic device detects an input that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while continuing to detect the input on the touch-sensitive surface: If an intensity of the contact satisfies an activation intensity threshold, the electronic device performs a first operation associated with the activation intensity threshold. The activation intensity threshold is determined based on whether or not prior inputs by the user on the touch-sensitive surface exceed a respective intensity threshold. If an intensity of the contact does not satisfy an activation intensity threshold, the electronic device forgoes performing the first operation associated with the activation intensity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Christopher P. Foss, Gary I. Butcher, Patrick L Coffman, Nicole M. Wells, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Publication number: 20240094899
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Bas ORDING, Scott M. HERZ, Wayne C. WESTERMAN, Scott FORSTALL, Gregory N. CHRISTIE
  • Patent number: 11836297
    Abstract: An input device includes a keycap, a first electrode disposed to move in response to movement of the keycap, a planar array of electrodes extending at least partially under the keycap, and a sensor. The planar array of electrodes includes a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode extending between the second electrode and the third electrode. The sensor is coupled to at least one of the second electrode or the third electrode and configured to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the third electrode. The change in the capacitive coupling may result from movement of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Stephen Smith, David S. Graff, Nicolas M. Golzio, Shahrzad Pouryayevali, Wayne C. Westerman, Christophe Blondin
  • Publication number: 20230056879
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Bas ORDING, Scott M. HERZ, Wayne C. WESTERMAN, Scott FORSTALL, Gregory N. CHRISTIE
  • Patent number: 11481112
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bas Ording, Scott M. Herz, Wayne C. Westerman, Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie
  • Publication number: 20220229550
    Abstract: A computing device with a touch-sensitive display displays a menu for a touch-sensitive keyboard, the menu including a plurality of keyboard settings. In response to a first input in the menu, adjusting a first setting of a plurality of keyboard settings for a first application. In response to a second input in the menu, adjusting a second setting of the plurality of keyboard settings for a second application distinct from the first application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Randal J. Marsden, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Publication number: 20210389871
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Bas ORDING, Scott M. HERZ, Wayne C. WESTERMAN, Scott FORSTALL, Gregory N. CHRISTIE
  • Publication number: 20210382613
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors that detect intensities of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a user interface. While displaying the user interface, the electronic device detects an input that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while continuing to detect the input on the touch-sensitive surface: If an intensity of the contact satisfies an activation intensity threshold, the electronic device performs a first operation associated with the activation intensity threshold. The activation intensity threshold is determined based on whether or not prior inputs by the user on the touch-sensitive surface exceed a respective intensity threshold. If an intensity of the contact does not satisfy an activation intensity threshold, the electronic device forgoes performing the first operation associated with the activation intensity threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Christopher P. Foss, Gary I. Butcher, Patrick L. Coffman, Nicole M. Wells, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Publication number: 20210294430
    Abstract: An input device includes a keycap, a first electrode disposed to move in response to movement of the keycap, a planar array of electrodes extending at least partially under the keycap, and a sensor. The planar array of electrodes includes a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode extending between the second electrode and the third electrode. The sensor is coupled to at least one of the second electrode or the third electrode and configured to generate a signal indicative of a change in capacitive coupling between the second electrode and the third electrode. The change in the capacitive coupling may result from movement of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: John Stephen Smith, David S. Graff, Nicolas M. Golzio, Shahrzad Pouryayevali, Wayne C. Westerman, Christophe Blondin
  • Patent number: 11112957
    Abstract: An electronic device, while displaying a user interface of a first software application, detects a first input, including a contact that does not satisfy a first threshold and is detected at a location associated with region of the user interface associated with at least a first operation. In response to the first input, if a first tactile output setting is active for the first input, the device performs the first operation without generating a tactile output, and if a second tactile output setting is active for the first input, the device forgoes performing the first operation. In response to a second input that includes a contact that satisfies the first intensity threshold and is detected at a location associated with the region of the user interface, if the second tactile output setting is active for the second input, the device performs the first operation and generates a tactile output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Christopher P. Foss, Gary I. Butcher, Patrick L. Coffman, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Nicole M. Wells, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10838617
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bas Ording, Scott M. Herz, Wayne C. Westerman, Scott Forstall, Gregory N. Christie
  • Patent number: 10691330
    Abstract: An electronic device with a front side including a touch-sensitive display, a back side that does not include a display, and sensor(s) to detect contact intensities on the front and back side displays, on the touch-sensitive display, a user interface including objects. While displaying the user interface, the device detects an input on a side of the electronic device. In response, for a front side input with intensity that meets first criteria, the device performs a first operation corresponding to a first object; for front side input with intensity that meets second criteria, the device performs a second operation corresponding to the first object; for back side input with intensity that meets third criteria, the device performs a third operation that changes the user interface; and for back side input with intensity that does not meet the third criteria, the device maintains display of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Golnaz Abdollahian, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10545604
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining the amounts of force applied by at least two fingers of a user to a touch input device having a touch input surface. In one example, a system may include a plurality of force sensors distributed about the touch input surface; a plurality of touch sensors distributed about the touch input surface; and a module for apportioning a first amount of force as measured by the plurality of force sensors to one of the at least two fingers, and for apportioning a second amount of force as measured by the plurality of force sensors to another of the at least two fingers. The system may also include a persistent data structure including force calibration data with force deflection measurement values as measured by each of the plurality of force sensors in response to a standardized force applied to various known locations on the touch input surface. The system may also include one or more matched filter modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Bijamov, Wayne C. Westerman, Zhiqiang Gu
  • Publication number: 20190332257
    Abstract: An electronic device, while displaying a user interface of a first software application, detects a first input, including a contact that does not satisfy a first threshold and is detected at a location associated with region of the user interface associated with at least a first operation. In response to the first input, if a first tactile output setting is active for the first input, the device performs the first operation without generating a tactile output, and if a second tactile output setting is active for the first input, the device forgoes performing the first operation. In response to a second input that includes a contact that satisfies the first intensity threshold and is detected at a location associated with the region of the user interface, if the second tactile output setting is active for the second input, the device performs the first operation and generates a tactile output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Christopher P. Foss, Gary I. Butcher, Patrick L. Coffman, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Nicole M. Wells, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10452212
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method including determining which sense lines are potentially corrupted based on touch image information, measuring a sense signal on each sense line, and applying a trained best compensation factor to the measured sense signal on potentially corrupted sense lines in order to produce a corrected sense signal. The corrected sense signal eliminates active stylus signal that has cross-coupled to a touch contact (e.g., a finger or conductive stylus) and thereby mitigates errors in stylus location due to cross-coupled signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Leah Gum, Wayne C. Westerman, Seyed Mohammad Navidpour, Shahrooz Shahparnia
  • Patent number: 10437333
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface: detects, on the touch-sensitive surface, a gesture that includes an increase of intensity of a contact above a respective intensity threshold. In response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the gesture includes a first number of contacts, the device generates a tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface; and in accordance with a determination that the gesture includes a second number of contacts different from the first number, the device forgoes generating the tactile output on the touch-sensitive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Julian Missig, Avi E. Cieplinski, Wayne C. Westerman, Patrick Kessler
  • Patent number: 10416811
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a force input device are disclosed. The force input device includes a force-sensitive structure with a number of individual force sensors that compress or expand in response to input. The force input device measures an electrical property of the force sensors of the force-sensitive structure. After the force sensors are measured, the values obtained are adjusted based on a mechanical model of the response of the force sensitive structure. Upon receiving a force input event of high magnitude, the force input device recalibrates the mechanical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Golnaz Abdollahian, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10409421
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface displays a first user interface of a first software application, detects an input on the touch-sensitive surface while displaying the first user interface, and, in response to detecting the input while displaying the first user interface, performs a first operation in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies intensity input criteria including that the input satisfies an intensity threshold during a first predefined time period, and performs a second operation in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies long press criteria including that the input remains below the intensity threshold during the first predefined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10402073
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a user interface of a first software application that includes one or more draggable objects and one or more control objects; and, detects a contact on a touch-sensitive surface at a first location while a focus selector is displayed over a first draggable object and a movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface to a second location that corresponds to a first control object. In accordance with a determination that the contact at the first location satisfies object selection criteria, the device moves the first draggable object to the first control object in accordance with the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface to the first control object. In accordance with a determination that the contact at the second location satisfies first intensity criteria, the device performs a first predetermined operation that corresponds to activation of the first control object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aram D. Kudurshian, Christopher P. Foss, Gary I. Butcher, Patrick L. Coffman, Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Nicole M. Wells, Wayne C. Westerman
  • Patent number: 10353467
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing haptic output and audio output on computing devices using the same haptic device and methods for calibrating the same. To produce the haptic and audio output, the computing device receives a profile of a desired output waveform that is to be provided by the haptic device. Using the desired output waveform, an input waveform is generated. Once the input waveform that will produce the desired output waveform is generated, the input waveform may be calibrated to account for various structural components of the haptic device and may also be combined with an audio waveform. The input waveform is then provided to the haptic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peteris K. Augenbergs, Marc J. Piche, Vinay Chawda, Nicole M. Wells, Scott J. McEuen, Curtis P. Wiederhold, Jonah A. Harley, Wayne C. Westerman, Jeffrey T. Bernstein, Brett W. Degner, Paul Briant, Thomas Wedlick