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).
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Patent number: 10741344Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
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Publication number: 20200249775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Joel N. RUSCHER, Ryan P. Brooks, Henry N. Tsao, Wing-Shan Wong
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Patent number: 10706718Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholaus Lubinski, Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Wayne W. Huang
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Patent number: 10684708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
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Patent number: 10627923Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Joel N. Ruscher, Ryan P. Brooks, Henry N. Tsao, Wing-Shan Wong
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Publication number: 20200089340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Joel N. RUSCHER, Ryan P. BROOKS, Henry N. TSAO, Wing-Shan WONG
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Publication number: 20190187817Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Aidan N. ZIMMERMAN, Wingshan WONG, Kevin ARMENDARIZ, Nathan BOHNEY, Christopher PASMA, Mahmoud AMINI, Brenton A. BAUGH, Ryan P. BROOKS
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Publication number: 20190172341Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Jeremy D. Bataillou, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholaus Lubinski, Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Wayne W. Huang
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Patent number: 10310639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
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Patent number: 10198089Abstract: An electrode for an input device can be designed to reduce wobble over a range of input device orientations. The electrode can include a spherical portion and a tapered portion. In some examples, the electrode can linearly taper away from the spherical portion. In other examples, the electrode can non-linearly taper away forming an elliptical flare. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a spring-loaded member that can couple the electrode to other circuitry of the input device. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode can include a neck portion coupled to the tapered portion, and part of the neck portion can be shielded. The input device can include a first non-conductive material disposed on part of the spherical portion of the electrode and a second non-conductive material disposed between part of the electrode and the first non-conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Priyanka Bhandari, Blake R. Marshall, Li-Quan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Ryan P. Brooks, Kevin C. Armendariz
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Publication number: 20190027325Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 10168804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
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Patent number: 10141626Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry that includes a radio-frequency transceiver circuit and an antenna. The antenna may be a patch antenna formed from a patch antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The patch antenna resonating element may be formed from a metal patch on a printed circuit board. The antenna ground may be formed from a metal housing having a planar rear wall that lies in a plane parallel to the metal patch. The radio-frequency transceiver circuit may be coupled to the metal patch through traces on the printed circuit and may be coupled to rear wall of the housing through a screw and a screw boss in the housing. Buttons and other electrical components may be mounted on the printed circuit board and may be coupled to control circuitry on the printed circuit board through the metal patch.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Liquan Tan, Paul X. Wang, Rodney A. Gomez Angulo, Ryan P. Brooks, Umar Azad, Wing Kong Low
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Patent number: 10083806Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 10083805Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang
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Patent number: 10032592Abstract: A force sensing switch for use in an electronic device can include one or more dome switches disposed over a top surface of a deflectable beam. One or more strain gauges can be disposed over at least one surface of the deflectable beam. An electronic device that includes at least one force sensing switch can further include a processing device operatively connected to the one or more strain gauges. Alternatively or additionally, an electrode can be disposed under a bottom surface of the deflectable beam and a capacitance measured between the bottom surface and the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Ryan P. Brooks, John M. Brock, Storrs T. Hoen
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Patent number: 10025404Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
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Patent number: 10025401Abstract: A ring electrode to determine the orientation of the stylus relative to the surface. The stylus can include a ring electrode configuration which can improve capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and the touch panel. The ring electrode configuration can include a ring electrode and ground ring, and ground plate. By varying the lengths of ring electrode, ground ring, ground plate, and the distance between these elements, the electric field emanating from the ring electrode can be tuned to optimize the capacitive coupling between the ring electrode and surface. In some examples, the ring electrode can include multiple sub-rings. In some examples, the ring electrode can comprise a crown shape including projections, each having a width that tapers to a minimum width along the length of the ring electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Priyanka Bhandari, Blake R. Marshall, Li-Quan Tan, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Ryan P. Brooks, Kevin C. Armendariz
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Patent number: 10007364Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Aidan N. Zimmerman, Wingshan Wong, Kevin Armendariz, Nathan Bohney, Christopher Pasma, Mahmoud Amini, Brenton A. Baugh, Ryan P. Brooks
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Patent number: 10002731Abstract: A rocker input mechanism includes an actuator that is operable to pivot against the interior surface of a housing through which an actuation surface of the actuator projects. Pivots or up-stops on the edges of the actuator are biased against the interior surface by dome switches contacting a switching surface of the actuator that is opposite the actuation surface. Thus, the actuator is able to pivot with respect to the interior surface to activate the dome switches when force is exerted on the actuation surface without bending or flexing like typical rocker buttons. As a result, the rocker input mechanism may have a feel to a user similar to non-rocking input mechanisms like single mode buttons.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ryan P. Brooks, Waylon Y. Chen