Patents by Inventor Brenton A. Baugh

Brenton A. Baugh 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: 11194299
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a variable friction mechanism for providing variable frictional feedback as an input mechanism, such as a crown, is rotated. The variable frictional feedback may correspond to operational states, events, or other conditions at the electronic watch. The variable frictional feedback may be provided by changing a frictional force between the crown and the variable friction mechanism. The variable friction mechanism may include a friction element adapted to contact a shaft of the crown and an actuator adapted to change a frictional force between the friction element and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Taylor, Brenton A. Baugh
  • Patent number: 11184708
    Abstract: A wearable audio output device in a physical environment includes an input device and one or more microphones. While ambient sound from the physical environment is being detected by the microphone(s), the wearable audio output device: while in a first mode, provides a first audio output including one or more pass-through audio components selected so as to increase audio pass-through of the ambient sound; detects an input via the input device; in response to detecting the input, and in accordance with a determination that the input is a first type of gesture, transitions from the first mode to a second mode; and, while in the second mode, provides a second audio output including one or more cancellation audio components selected so as to increase audio cancellation of the ambient sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, David C. Graham, Thomas S. Hulbert, Dustin A. Hatfield, Gemma A. Roper, Karlin Y. Bark, David H. Bloom, Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, Shota Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 11169628
    Abstract: A user input system including a stylus and an electronic device. A user may manipulate the stylus across an input surface of the electronic device and the movement may be detected using axially-aligned electric fields generated by the stylus. The stylus may also include a force-sensitive structure that can be used to estimate a force applied to the electronic device by the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11137830
    Abstract: A control device for an interactive computing system includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and a biasing actuator. The first elongated member and the second elongated member are pivotably coupled at a pivot axis. The biasing actuator is coupled to the first elongated member and the second elongated member to provide an output torque between the first elongated member and the second elongated member about the pivot axis. The control device is configured to receive user input for controlling a virtual device displayed by the interactive computing system to visually resemble a physical device. The biasing actuator is controllable to provide tactile feedback to simulate physical behavior of the physical device. The control device is movable freely in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Seung Wook Kim, David H. Bloom, Brenton A. Baugh, Steven J. Taylor, Madeleine S. Cordier
  • Patent number: 10936092
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a force sensor used within an electronic device, such as a stylus, watch, laptop, or other electronic device. A force sensor may be positioned, for example, within a stylus body. The force sensor may include an input structure constrained within a housing by a compliant member. The input structure may extend at least partially out of the stylus body and be configured to receive a force input. One or more sensors of the force sensor may detect a value of a displacement of the input structure caused by the force input. A processing unit may determine a value of the force input using a spring characteristic of the compliant member and the detected value of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton A. Baugh, Wingshan Wong
  • Publication number: 20210014611
    Abstract: A wearable audio output device in a physical environment includes an input device and one or more microphones. While ambient sound from the physical environment is being detected by the microphone(s), the wearable audio output device: while in a first mode, provides a first audio output including one or more pass-through audio components selected so as to increase audio pass-through of the ambient sound; detects an input via the input device; in response to detecting the input, and in accordance with a determination that the input is a first type of gesture, transitions from the first mode to a second mode; and, while in the second mode, provides a second audio output including one or more cancellation audio components selected so as to increase audio cancellation of the ambient sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, David C. Graham, Thomas S. Hulbert, Dustin A. Hatfield, Gemma A. Roper, Karlin Y. Bark, David H. Bloom, Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, Shota Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 10873798
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniques related to a wearable audio device, such as an earbud or other device that is configured to detect inputs and change the operation of the wearable audio device in accordance with the inputs. In some embodiments, the wearable audio device is disposed in a structure and detects signals propagating through or within the structure. Various inputs may cause one or more signals to propagate through or within the structure, outside the structure, or some combination thereof. The wearable audio device may determine whether a detected signal was generated by an input and, if so, change its operation in accordance with the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, David H. Bloom, Gemma A. Roper, Karlin Y. Bark, Thomas S. Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20200344536
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a wearable audio device, such as an earbud. The earbud may be configured to detect input using various sensors and structures. For example, the earbud may be configured to detect gestures, physical manipulations, and so forth performed along or on the earbud. In response to the detected inputs, the earbud may be configured to change various outputs, such as an audio output or a haptic output of the device. The earbud may also include a microphone to register voice commands. In some cases, the microphone may be used to control the earbud using the registered voice command in response to one or more detected gestures or physical manipulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, David H. Bloom, Gemma A. Roper, Karlin Y. Bark, Thomas S. Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20200326779
    Abstract: A haptic device for an electronic device includes an actuation member formed from a shape-memory alloy (SMA) material that changes shape (e.g., expands or contracts) in response to an applied electrical current. In some cases, the haptic devices described herein also include a restoration mechanism that restores the actuation member to its original shape or to a similar shape. The change in the shape of the actuation member and the restoration of the shape of the actuation member may produce a haptic output at the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, Megan A. McClain, Steven J. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200328614
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover coupled to the housing and at least partially covering the display, a battery, and a coil coupled to the battery and configured to, during a battery charging operation, supply a first current to the battery and, during a haptic output operation, receive a second current from the battery to produce a haptic output. The electronic watch may further include a ferromagnetic element positioned at least partially within the housing and movable relative to the housing. The second current may cause the coil to produce a magnetic field, and the haptic output may be produced as a result of an interaction between the magnetic field and the ferromagnetic element that causes the ferromagnetic element to move relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, Brian T. Gleeson, Steven J. Taylor, Thayne M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20200285318
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for interacting with an electronic device having a touch sensitive surface, is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls suitable for carrying a processor capable of providing instructions and an interface unit extending through an opening at a distal end of the housing, where the interface unit is capable of interacting with the touch sensitive surface. The accessory device can further include a sensor in communication with the processor and the interface unit, where the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a stimulus generated by the interaction between the interface unit and the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a feedback parameter to the processor that responds by providing a feedback instruction. The accessory device can further include a feedback component that responds to the feedback instruction by transmitting a feedback force to the walls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Steven J. TAYLOR, Brenton A. BAUGH, Paul X. WANG, Alex J. LEHMANN, Ivan S. MARIC, Zheng GAO, Qiliang XU
  • Patent number: 10757491
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a wearable audio device, such as an earbud. The earbud may be configured to detect input using various sensors and structures. For example, the earbud may be configured to detect gestures, physical manipulations, and so forth performed along or on the earbud. In response to the detected inputs, the earbud may be configured to change various outputs, such as an audio output or a haptic output of the device. The earbud may also include a microphone to register voice commands. In some cases, the microphone may be used to control the earbud using the registered voice command in response to one or more detected gestures or physical manipulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, David H. Bloom, Gemma A. Roper, Karlin Y. Bark, Thomas S. Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20200264711
    Abstract: A user input system including a stylus and an electronic device. A user may manipulate the stylus across an input surface of the electronic device and the movement may be detected using axially-aligned electric fields generated by the stylus. The stylus may also include a force-sensitive structure that can be used to estimate a force applied to the electronic device by the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, Wingshan WONG, Kevin ARMENDARIZ, Nathan BOHNEY, Christopher PASMA, Mahmoud AMINI, Brenton A. BAUGH, Ryan P. BROOKS
  • Patent number: 10725544
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for interacting with an electronic device having a touch sensitive surface, is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls suitable for carrying a processor capable of providing instructions and an interface unit extending through an opening at a distal end of the housing, where the interface unit is capable of interacting with the touch sensitive surface. The accessory device can further include a sensor in communication with the processor and the interface unit, where the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a stimulus generated by the interaction between the interface unit and the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a feedback parameter to the processor that responds by providing a feedback instruction. The accessory device can further include a feedback component that responds to the feedback instruction by transmitting a feedback force to the walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Taylor, Brenton A. Baugh, Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Ivan S. Maric, Zheng Gao, Qiliang Xu
  • Patent number: 10705629
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a display or other support surface to which a repositionable control device may be removably mounted. The display may emit light. The repositionable control device may be a repositionable knob that has light sensors. The display may be directed to emit the light in a predetermined time-varying search pattern while the light sensors make measurements of the emitted light. The repositionable knob may wirelessly transmit the light sensor measurements to control circuitry associated with the display. The control circuitry may process the light sensor measurements or other sensor measurements to determine the location of the repositionable control device on the display. Visible tick marks or other scale information may be displayed around the periphery of the knob. An electromagnetic actuator may provide adjustable detents. Wireless power may be received by the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Arnold, Brenton A. Baugh, Brian T. Gleeson, David Bloom
  • Patent number: 10698489
    Abstract: An input device includes an input structure, a magnet attached to the input structure, and an electromagnet. The magnet rotates when the electromagnet is activated, thereby rotating the input structure. The magnet and input structure rotate about a pivot in order to provide haptic and/or visual feedback to a user. The pivot may attach the magnet and input structure to a body, which in turn may be affixed to, or part of, an electronic device. The electromagnet can encircle the body and/or magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Beyhs, Mark A. Salada, Megan A. McClain, Brenton A. Baugh, Brian T. Gleeson, Thayne M. Miller
  • Patent number: 10691211
    Abstract: A module includes a permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine having a stator and a rotor; a constraint coupled to the stator and the rotor; and a force sensor at least partially attached to the permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine and configured to sense a force applied to the rotor. The constraint is configured to constrain closure of a gap between the rotor and the stator and bias the rotor toward a rest position in which the rotor is separated from the stator by the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Darya Amin-Shahidi, Alex M. Lee, Brenton A. Baugh
  • Patent number: 10684708
    Abstract: A user input system including a stylus and an electronic device. A user may manipulate the stylus across an input surface of the electronic device and the movement may be detected using axially-aligned electric fields generated by the stylus. The stylus may also include a force-sensitive structure that can be used to estimate a force applied to the electronic device by the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20200103968
    Abstract: A module includes a permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine having a stator and a rotor; a constraint coupled to the stator and the rotor; and a force sensor at least partially attached to the permanent magnet biased electromagnetic haptic engine and configured to sense a force applied to the rotor. The constraint is configured to constrain closure of a gap between the rotor and the stator and bias the rotor toward a rest position in which the rotor is separated from the stator by the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Darya Amin-Shahidi, Alex M. Lee, Brenton A. Baugh
  • Patent number: 10579090
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device that replicates mechanical actuation of a rotatable input mechanism in such a way that the haptic output provided by the input device is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Jackson, Brenton A. Baugh, Megan A. McClain, Steven J. Taylor