Patents by Inventor Ryan P. Brooks

Ryan P. Brooks 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).

  • Publication number: 20240272732
    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: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, Wingshan WONG, Kevin ARMENDARIZ, Nathan BOHNEY, Christopher PASMA, Mahmoud AMINI, Brenton A. BAUGH, Ryan P. BROOKS
  • Publication number: 20240211005
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
  • Patent number: 11972068
    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 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    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: 11953952
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
  • Patent number: 11726522
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11709557
    Abstract: Controller devices can provide a user with multiple modes of operation. For example, the user can hold and operate the controller device in a first orientation for control of a first device and/or first mode of a device (e.g., media player), and the user can hold and operate the controller device in a second orientation for control of a second device and/or second mode of a device (e.g., gaming device). Features can be selectively stowed and deployed to facilitate user operation in the different modes. By further example, a controller device can be separated into segments to allow multiple users to hold and provide inputs with corresponding segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ryan P. Brooks, Pol Pla I Conesa
  • Publication number: 20230195246
    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: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11610476
    Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholaus Lubinski, Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Wayne W. Huang
  • Patent number: 11604523
    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: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    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: 20220365558
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
  • Patent number: 11429157
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
  • Patent number: 11294479
    Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can receive tactile input from a user. The tactile input functions can be performed by a touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensing device. A touch sensor can be integrated into a stylus in a low profile form. Wireless charging and magnetic coupling with a host device are also facilitated. The stylus can be provided with the above features in a small form factor that improves a user experience with the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joel N. Ruscher, Ryan P. Brooks, Henry N. Tsao, Wing-Shan Wong
  • Publication number: 20220026998
    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: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210341967
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20210303089
    Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can receive tactile input from a user. The tactile input functions can be performed by a touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensing device. A touch sensor can be integrated into a stylus in a low profile form. Wireless charging and magnetic coupling with a host device are also facilitated. The stylus can be provided with the above features in a small form factor that improves a user experience with the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joel N. RUSCHER, Ryan P. BROOKS, Henry N. TSAO, Wing-Shan WONG
  • Publication number: 20210263556
    Abstract: An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
  • Patent number: 11092997
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11079864
    Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can receive tactile input from a user. The tactile input functions can be performed by a touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensing device. A touch sensor can be integrated into a stylus in a low profile form. Wireless charging and magnetic coupling with a host device are also facilitated. The stylus can be provided with the above features in a small form factor that improves a user experience with the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joel N. Ruscher, Ryan P. Brooks, Henry N. Tsao, Wing-Shan Wong
  • Publication number: 20210096597
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks