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US 2020/0004337 A1Published application
Laptop computing device with discrete haptic regions
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsKeith J. Hendren, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Alex J. Lehmann, Robert Y. Cao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device that provides discrete haptic output in separate regions of a device housing. These regions may both accept input and provide haptic output. Typically, a haptic output provided in a first region is imperceptible to a user touching an abutting region.
Claims20
A laptop computing device, comprising:
- an upper portion;
- a lower portion hingably connected to the upper portion;
- a first input device extending through or positioned on the lower portion and configured to accept a first input;
- a second input device on the lower portion, configured to accept a second input and comprising:
- a first discrete haptic region;
- and
- a second discrete haptic region abutting the first discrete haptic region;
- a first haptic actuator coupled to, and configured to produce a first haptic output in, the first discrete haptic region;
- and
- a second haptic actuator coupled to, and configured to produce a second haptic output in, the second discrete haptic region;
- wherein
- the first haptic output is imperceptible in the second discrete haptic region to a user;
- and
- the second haptic output is imperceptible in the first discrete haptic region to the user.
11 more elements
A method for providing haptic output through a housing of a laptop computing device, comprising:
- receiving an input in a haptic input/output area;
- determining that a haptic output is to be provided;
- and
- generating the haptic output in the haptic input/output area through operation of a haptic actuator;
- wherein:
- the haptic input/output area includes a first haptic output region and a second haptic output region;
- the first haptic output region and the second haptic output region abut one another;
- and
- the haptic output is provided in the first haptic output region but not the second haptic output region.
6 more elements
A laptop computing device, comprising:
- an upper portion;
- a display housed in the upper portion;
- a lower portion hingably coupled to the upper portion and comprising:
- a top case defining an outer surface;
- and
- a bottom case coupled to the top case;
- a keyboard on or extending through the top case;
- an input area defined on the top case and comprising:
- a first haptic region;
- and
- a second haptic region abutting the first haptic region;
- a first haptic actuator coupled to the top case within the first haptic region and configured to provide a first haptic output in only the first haptic region;
- a second haptic actuator coupled to the top case within the second haptic region and configured to provide a second haptic output in only the second haptic region;
- wherein
- the first haptic region and the second haptic region are continuous with a rest of the outer surface.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.