Input device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12535895-B2
Application number	US-202318472195-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 21, 2023
Priority date	Sep 22, 2022
Publication date	Jan 27, 2026
Grant date	Jan 27, 2026

Abstract

A computer system can include an input device having a housing defining an internal volume. The housing can include a grip portion and a base portion defining an aperture. The computer system can also include a tilt sensor disposed in the internal volume, a position sensor disposed at the aperture, and a processor. The processor can be electrically coupled to the position sensor, the tilt sensor, and a memory component storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a first input from the tilt sensor, receive a second input from the position sensor, determine, based on the first and second inputs, if the base is in contact with a support surface and an angle of the base relative to the support surface. The processor can also output a signal based on the angle if the base is in contact with the support surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A computer input system, comprising:
an input device having a housing defining an internal volume, the housing including a grip portion and a base; a tilt sensor disposed in the internal volume; a position sensor; and a processor electrically coupled to the position sensor, the tilt sensor, and a memory component storing electronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive a first input from the tilt sensor; receive a second input from the position sensor; and determine, based on the first and second inputs:
if the base is contacting a support surface on a tilt surface of the base, the tilt surface having a straight cross-sectional portion; and
an angle of the base relative to the support surface; and
output a signal based on the angle if the base is in contact with the support surface on the straight cross-sectional portion of the tilt surface.

2 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein the tilt sensor includes an inertial measurement unit.

3 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor includes an optical sensor configured to send and receive light through an aperture in the base.

4 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises the processor.

5 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein the input device further comprises an emitter electrically coupled to the tilt sensor and the position sensor, wherein the emitter is in electrical communication with the processor and configured to output the signal.

6 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine if the input device is lifted completely off the support surface.

7 . The computer input system of claim 1 , wherein:
the signal is a first signal; and the electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to output a second signal if the base is not in contact with the support surface.

8 . An input device, comprising:
a grip portion; a base portion, including:
a rest surface, the rest surface being planar; and
a tilt surface extending between the rest surface and the grip portion, wherein a cross-section of the tilt surface includes a straight portion; and
a tilt sensor operable to detect whether the rest surface or the straight portion of the tilt surface is supporting a weight of the input device.

9 . The input device of claim 8 , wherein the tilt sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit.

10 . The input device of claim 8 , wherein the tilt surface includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface adjacent the first planar surface.

11 . The input device of claim 10 , wherein the grip portion is curvilinear.

12 . The input device of claim 8 , further comprising an optical position sensor.

13 . The input device of claim 12 , wherein:
the base portion defines an aperture; and the optical position sensor is positioned at or near the aperture to send and receive light through the aperture.

14 . The input device of claim 13 , wherein the aperture is defined by the rest surface.

15 . The input device of claim 8 , wherein
the tilt surface is at least partially frusto-conical.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Sapp Megan M
• Gleeson Brian T
• Taylor Steven J
• Bloom David H
• He Miao
• Kim Seung Wook
• Christodoulou Evangelos
• Bauerly Kristi E
• Luo Geng
• Andre Bart K

Classifications

• G06F3/0383

  Signal control means within the pointing device · CPC title

• G06F3/0304

  Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means (constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042) · CPC title

• G06F3/0346 Primary

  with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title

• G06F3/03543 Primary

  Mice or pucks (G06F3/03541 takes precedence) · CPC title