Abstract: An example method includes initiating, by a computing device, a fingerprint sensing operation that is associated with a fingerprint sensor, outputting, by the computing device and over a defined period of time, a sequence of haptic signals with varying intensity, wherein each haptic signal in the sequence has an intensity that is different than a respective intensity of any haptic signal that was previously output in the sequence, obtaining, by the computing device and from the fingerprint sensor, fingerprint data associated with a fingerprint of the finger of the user, and responsive to determining that the finger of the user is still positioned at the fingerprint sensor upon completion of the fingerprint sensing operation, outputting, by the computing device, a discrete haptic signal indicating a successful completion of the fingerprint sensing operation.

Abstract: The technology provides for an electronic device with gesture detection. In this regard, the device may include a housing, and one or more sensors positioned along an inner periphery of the housing. The sensors may be adapted to detect user interaction with an outer surface of the housing. The device may further include one or more processors in communication with the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A computing device includes a housing defining an aperture extending therethrough. The computing device further includes a button that includes a switch and a body. The body is at least partially disposed within the aperture and movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position to selectively actuate the switch to cause the computing device to perform a function. The button includes a printed circuit electrically coupled to one or more processors of the computing device. The button includes an optical sensor disposed within the interior of the body and configured to obtain biometric data for determining one or more biometrics of a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a haptic system in an electronic device are provided. The calibration of the haptic system may be performed in a facility prior to a shipment to a user. The calibration may also be performed by a user prior to or after his/her use of the haptic system in the electronic device over time. A method for performing a calibration process in an electronic device includes generating a drive signal from a haptic driver in a haptic system disposed in an electronic device, transmitting the drive signal to an actuator in the haptic system, detecting a back Electromotive Force (bEMF) signal from the actuator in the haptic system, analyzing an output waveform from the bEMF signal, and adjusting a scale of the drive signal generated from the haptic driver.

Abstract: A computing device can include a cover, a texture haptics layer adjacent to the cover, a display layer adjacent to the texture haptics layer, an impact haptics layer adjacent to the display layer, a controller, and a housing enclosing the controller and supporting the cover, the texture haptics layer, the display layer, and the impact haptics layer. The controller can be configured to activate the texture haptics layer in response to an object moving along the cover, control an image presented by the display layer, and activate the impact haptics layer in response to the object contacting the cover.

Abstract: Techniques for managing notifications may be described. In an example, the notifications may relate to an item and may be provided to a user device. A passive device may be associated with the item. A delivery management device at a particular location may detect the proximity of the passive device. The delivery management device may cause a notification to be sent to the user device based on the proximity. The notification may describe that the item may have been detected at the particular location.

Abstract: The technology provides for an electronic device with gesture detection. In this regard, the device may include a housing, and one or more sensors positioned along an inner periphery of the housing. The sensors may be adapted to detect user interaction with an outer surface of the housing. The device may further include one or more processors in communication with the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A system and method may dynamically control and/or dynamically adjust haptic output based on a particular application or context within which the output is to be generated. This may allow for output of an appropriate level of vibratory, or haptic output, that is dynamically tailored, or dynamically adjusted, for the particular situation, or application, or context for which the output is generated. This may include a mode in which an output having a relatively high peak amplitude is desired or most effective for the particular situation, or application, or context, a mode in which a relatively large bandwidth is desired or most effective for the particular situation, or application, or context, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a haptic system in an electronic device are provided. The calibration of the haptic system may be performed in a facility prior to a shipment to a user. The calibration may also be performed by a user prior to or after his/her use of the haptic system in the electronic device over time. A method for performing a calibration process in an electronic device includes generating a drive signal from a haptic driver in a haptic system disposed in an electronic device, transmitting the drive signal to an actuator in the haptic system, detecting a back Electromotive Force (bEMF) signal from the actuator in the haptic system, analyzing an output waveform from the bEMF signal, and adjusting a scale of the drive signal generated from the haptic driver.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a trackpad includes: a substrate; a stiffener plate; a circuit board between the substrate and the stiffener plate, the circuit board comprising position detecting circuitry configured to detect a position of an object adjacent the substrate, the circuit board including an inductive element; a grounding element that electrically connects the stiffener plate and the circuit board to each other; and force sensing circuitry configured to detect force applied to the substrate, the force detected using the inductive element.

Abstract: The technology provides for an electronic device with gesture detection. In this regard, the device may include a housing, and one or more sensors positioned along an inner periphery of the housing. The sensors may be adapted to detect user interaction with an outer surface of the housing. The device may further include one or more processors in communication with the plurality of sensors. The one or more processors may be configured to determine the user interaction and to determine a type of gesture based on the detected user interaction, determine a type of input command based on the determined gesture, and execute a task corresponding to the determined type of input command.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for detecting an earthquake includes detecting vibrations in a trackpad of a computing device using an inductive element and force sensing circuitry of the trackpad and, processing, by a microcontroller of the computing device, the vibrations for detection of an earthquake vibration signal. In response to detecting the earthquake vibration signal, communicating, by the computing device, the earthquake vibration signal to a remote server and receiving, at the computing device, an earthquake alert from the remote server.

Abstract: Techniques for managing notifications may be described. In an example, the notifications may relate to an item and may be provided to a user device. An active device may be associated with the item. The active device may store a token for communication with a local area network associated with a location. Based on the communication, a determination may be made that the item may be in proximity to the location. Corresponding notifications may be sent to the user device.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, in an electronic device having a trackpad, a force signal that a force sensor of the trackpad generates based on a user input at the trackpad; receiving, in the electronic device, a touch signal that a touch sensor of the trackpad generates based on the user input; selecting, by the electronic device and based on at least one of the force signal or the touch signal, a first driver signal waveform from among multiple driver signal waveforms applicable to an actuator coupled to the trackpad; scaling, by the electronic device, the first driver signal waveform into a second driver signal waveform, the scaling based on at least one of the force signal or the touch signal; and generating, by the electronic device, a haptic output in response to the user input by providing the second driver signal waveform to the actuator.

Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, in an electronic device having a trackpad, a force signal that a force sensor of the trackpad generates based on a user input at the trackpad; receiving, in the electronic device, a touch signal that a touch sensor of the trackpad generates based on the user input; selecting, by the electronic device and based on at least one of the force signal or the touch signal, a first driver signal waveform from among multiple driver signal waveforms applicable to an actuator coupled to the trackpad; scaling, by the electronic device, the first driver signal waveform into a second driver signal waveform, the scaling based on at least one of the force signal or the touch signal; and generating, by the electronic device, a haptic output in response to the user input by providing the second driver signal waveform to the actuator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a haptic system in an electronic device are provided. The calibration of the haptic system may be performed in a facility prior to a shipment to a user. The calibration may also be performed by a user prior to or after his/her use of the haptic system in the electronic device over time. A method for performing a calibration process in an electronic device includes generating a drive signal from a haptic driver in a haptic system disposed in an electronic device, transmitting the drive signal to an actuator in the haptic system, detecting a back Electromotive Force (bEMF) signal from the actuator in the haptic system, analyzing an output waveform from the bEMF signal, and adjusting a scale of the drive signal generated from the haptic driver.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a trackpad includes: a substrate; a stiffener plate; a circuit board between the substrate and the stiffener plate, the circuit board comprising position detecting circuitry configured to detect a position of an object adjacent the substrate, the circuit board including an inductive element; a grounding element that electrically connects the stiffener plate and the circuit board to each other; and force sensing circuitry configured to detect force applied to the substrate, the force detected using the inductive element.

Abstract: An electronic device including an actuator and a driving circuit electrically coupled to the actuator. The driving circuit can be configured to determine a resonance frequency of the actuator and deliver a driving frequency matching the resonance frequency to the actuator, as well as a driving voltage. The electronic device also includes a memory and a processor. The processor can determine the presence of a force applied to the electronic device based on the resonance frequency of the actuator. Based on determining a force is being applied to the electronic device, the processor can execute a predetermined function of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes: placing a first physical object at each of a first plurality of locations on a trackpad; while the first object is at each of the first plurality of locations, registering respective first readings from each of a second plurality of force sensors of the trackpad, the first plurality greater than the second plurality; selecting a first plurality of sensitivity parameters for the trackpad based at least in part on the first readings; and providing the first plurality of sensitivity parameters to force sensing circuitry of the trackpad, the force sensing circuitry coupled to the second plurality of force sensors.