Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can provide feedback in the form of shear forces applied to the user. A stylus can produce shear forces that act on a user to provide unique tactile sensations. For example, a shear device can be included at a grip region of a stylus to provide shear sensations at the user's hands (e.g., fingers). The shear forces can be unaligned forces that urge one part of the user's hand in one direction and another part of the user's hand in an opposite direction or that tend to maintain the other part of the user's hand in a stationary location.

Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can provide feedback in the form of shear forces applied to the user. A stylus can produce shear forces that act on a user to provide unique tactile sensations. For example, a shear device can be included at a grip region of a stylus to provide shear sensations at the user's hands (e.g., fingers). The shear forces can be unaligned forces that urge one part of the user's hand in one direction and another part of the user's hand in an opposite direction or that tend to maintain the other part of the user's hand in a stationary location.

Abstract: An electronic device may provide tactile outputs at a tactile output region of the electronic device. The tactile output region of the electronic device may be a surface of an input structure or a surface of an enclosure of the device. Tactile outputs may provide a sustained, physically-based notification of a particular item of interest. The tactile output may alter a physical characteristic of the tactile output region, such as the shape, texture, or density of a portion of the electronic device, in one or more tactile output regions. Furthermore, the tactile notification may provide a notification that is less intrusive and more tunable to user preferences than conventional notifications. The tactile output may be static in that the tactile notification is not transitory and remains throughout the duration of the tactile output. The tactile notification may be dynamic in that it includes motion.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electronic device may provide tactile outputs at a tactile output region of the electronic device. The tactile output region of the electronic device may be a surface of an input structure or a surface of an enclosure of the device. Tactile outputs may provide a sustained, physically-based notification of a particular item of interest. The tactile output may alter a physical characteristic of the tactile output region, such as the shape, texture, or density of a portion of the electronic device, in one or more tactile output regions. Furthermore, the tactile notification may provide a notification that is less intrusive and more tunable to user preferences than conventional notifications. The tactile output may be static in that the tactile notification is not transitory and remains throughout the duration of the tactile output. The tactile notification may be dynamic in that it includes motion.

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.

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.

Abstract: Touch-based input devices, such as a stylus, can provide feedback in the form of shear forces applied to the user. A stylus can produce shear forces that act on a user to provide unique tactile sensations. For example, a shear device can be included at a grip region of a stylus to provide shear sensations at the user's hands (e.g., fingers). The shear forces can be unaligned forces that urge one part of the user's hand in one direction and another part of the user's hand in an opposite direction or that tend to maintain the other part of the user's hand in a stationary location.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an input device and methods related to the use thereof. The embodiment may include a deformable structure. The deformable structure may include a first layer defining an input surface and a second layer coupled to, and offset from, the first layer. At least one of the first layer or the second layer may define a geometric feature (e.g., including a protrusion, embossed portion, or other feature of one or both of the first and second layers). The geometric feature may be configured to collapse the deformable structure at a localized region in response to a force input. The embodiment may further include an input structure configured to produce an electrical response based on a magnitude of the force input.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an input device and methods related to the use thereof. The embodiment may include a deformable structure. The deformable structure may include a first layer defining an input surface and a second layer coupled to, and offset from, the first layer. At least one of the first layer or the second layer may define a geometric feature (e.g., including a protrusion, embossed portion, or other feature of one or both of the first and second layers). The geometric feature may be configured to collapse the deformable structure at a localized region in response to a force input. The embodiment may further include an input structure configured to produce an electrical response based on a magnitude of the force input.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a mechanical input configured to move in a first direction in response to an input at the mechanical input. A mechanical input sensor is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense the input at the mechanical input based on the movement of the mechanical input in the first direction. A mechanical input actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to displace the mechanical input in a second direction, different from the first direction. In some examples, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a rotary input configured to rotate in the first direction in response to the input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to displace the mechanical input in the second direction while the mechanical input is moving in the first direction.

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.

Abstract: A haptic mouse is configured to provide various kinds of haptic input. In some embodiments, the mouse has first and second housing portions and an actuator operable to provide haptic output by moving the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion so as to tangentially displace skin or alter hand posture of a user's hand. In various embodiments, the mouse has a force sensor, an actuator, and a controller operable to determine an amount of force exerted on the haptic mouse, simulate a mouse click if the amount of the force exceeds a threshold, and adjust the threshold upon receiving an instruction. In numerous embodiments, the mouse has a housing, a friction adjustment mechanism operable to alter friction between the housing and a surface by adjusting an amount of a material in contact with the surface, and a controller operable to provide a haptic output by signaling the friction adjustment mechanism.

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.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a mechanical input configured to move in a first direction in response to an input at the mechanical input. A mechanical input sensor is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense the input at the mechanical input based on the movement of the mechanical input in the first direction. A mechanical input actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to displace the mechanical input in a second direction, different from the first direction. In some examples, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a rotary input configured to rotate in the first direction in response to the input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to displace the mechanical input in the second direction while the mechanical input is moving in the first direction.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a mechanical input configured to move in a first direction in response to an input at the mechanical input. A mechanical input sensor is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense the input at the mechanical input based on the movement of the mechanical input in the first direction. A mechanical input actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to displace the mechanical input in a second direction, different from the first direction. In some examples, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a rotary input configured to rotate in the first direction in response to the input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to displace the mechanical input in the second direction while the mechanical input is moving in the first direction.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a mechanical input configured to move in a first direction in response to an input at the mechanical input. A mechanical input sensor is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to sense the input at the mechanical input based on the movement of the mechanical input in the first direction. A mechanical input actuator is coupled to the mechanical input and configured to displace the mechanical input in a second direction, different from the first direction. In some examples, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In some examples, the mechanical input comprises a rotary input configured to rotate in the first direction in response to the input. In some examples, the mechanical input actuator is configured to displace the mechanical input in the second direction while the mechanical input is moving in the first direction.