Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Matzinger
Thomas R. Matzinger 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: 11953952Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
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Patent number: 11848166Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John A Porcella, Daniel A. Greenberg, Thomas R. Matzinger
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Publication number: 20220365558Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
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Patent number: 11429157Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
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Publication number: 20210375564Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: John A. Porcella, Daniel A. Greenberg, Thomas R. Matzinger
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Publication number: 20210263556Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
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Patent number: 11094483Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John A. Poncella, Daniel A. Greenberg, Thomas R. Matzinger
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Patent number: 10955875Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hao Zhu, Yang Zhou, Thomas R. Matzinger, Guangtao Zhang, Ming Yu, Jaime G. Chavez Ruiz Garza, Florence W. Ow, James A. Stryker, Travis C. Pedley, Melody L. Kuna, Taylor Harrison Gilbert
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Publication number: 20200303140Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: John A. Porcella, Daniel A. Greenberg, Thomas R. Matzinger
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Patent number: 10739825Abstract: An accessory device for an electronic device is described. The accessory device may include a cover section and a keyboard section. The cover section may include a receiving surface that engages the electronic device. The cover section may include electrical contacts designed to electrically couple with contacts on the electronic device. The cover section may include several magnets designed to magnetically couple with magnets within the electronic device. The keyboard section may include a keyboard and one or more channels designed to receive and position the electronic device in a usable configuration with the keyboard. Several magnets may surround each channel, and may magnetically couple with magnets within (and along an edge of) the electronic device. The magnetic circuits formed between the channel magnets and the device magnets may counter, or offset, forces that otherwise remove the electronic device from the channel in an undesired manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Taylor Harrison Gilbert, Kristine S. Tom, Elvis M. Kibiti, Jaime G. Chavez Ruiz Garza, Thomas R. Matzinger, Zhengyu Li, Charles A. Bates, III, Shih-Hsiang Hsiao, Johan E. Lyon
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Publication number: 20200241598Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Hao ZHU, Yang ZHOU, Thomas R. MATZINGER, Guangtao ZHANG, Ming YU, Jaime G. CHAVEZ RUIZ GARZA, Florence W. OW, James A. STRYKER, Travis C. PEDLEY, Melody L. KUNA, Taylor Harrison GILBERT
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Patent number: 10671121Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hao Zhu, Yang Zhou, Thomas R. Matzinger, Guangtao Zhang, Ming Yu, Jaime G. Chavez Ruiz Garza, Florence W. Ow, James A. Stryker, Travis C. Pedley, Melody L. Kuna, Taylor Harrison Gilbert
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Publication number: 20200089276Abstract: Electronic devices and accessory devices for electronic devices are described. In some instances, an accessory device includes a keyboard and a cover rotatable with respect to the keyboard. In some instances, an accessory device includes a back panel and a foldable cover rotatable with respect to the back panel. These accessory devices may include several magnetic elements designed to magnetically couple with, and retain, an electronic device without any additional mechanical or other interlocking devices. In this regard, the magnetic elements in the accessory devices provide an external magnetic field sufficiently strong enough to retain the electronic device, and can counter gravitational forces and/or the weight of the electronic device. However, some accessory devices include additional magnetic elements that provide an external magnetic field that repels magnetic elements in the electronic device. Also, the magnetic elements may also be used to hold different sections of the accessory device together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Hao ZHU, Yang ZHOU, Thomas R. MATZINGER, Guangtao ZHANG, Ming YU, Jaime G. CHAVEZ RUIZ GARZA, Florence W. OW, James A. STRYKER, Travis C. PEDLEY, Melody L. KUNA, Taylor Harrison GILBERT
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Publication number: 20200089285Abstract: An accessory device for an electronic device is described. The accessory device may include a cover section and a keyboard section. The cover section may include a receiving surface that engages the electronic device. The cover section may include electrical contacts designed to electrically couple with contacts on the electronic device. The cover section may include several magnets designed to magnetically couple with magnets within the electronic device. The keyboard section may include a keyboard and one or more channels designed to receive and position the electronic device in a usable configuration with the keyboard. Several magnets may surround each channel, and may magnetically couple with magnets within (and along an edge of) the electronic device. The magnetic circuits formed between the channel magnets and the device magnets may counter, or offset, forces that otherwise remove the electronic device from the channel in an undesired manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Taylor Harrison GILBERT, Kristine S. TOM, Elvis M. KIBITI, Jaime G. CHAVEZ RUIZ GARZA, Thomas R. MATZINGER, Zhengyu LI, Charles A. BATES, III, Shih-Hsiang HSIAO, Johan E. LYON
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Patent number: 10296093Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can include a processor and a sensor coupled with the processor, the sensor capable of detecting a stimulus, and responding to the stimulus by providing a detection signal to the processor. The portable electronic device can further include an interface unit capable of interacting with a user. The portable electronic device can further include a feedback unit in communication with the interface unit and the processor, the feedback unit providing a feedback response that is perceptible to the user during the interaction, where when the sensor detects the stimulus, the detection signal provided to the processor by the sensor causes the processor to respond by instructing the feedback unit to alter the feedback response.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David L. Christensen, Daniel A. Greenberg, Thomas R. Matzinger