Apple Inc.
Force sensing using measurements of air pressure and air flow

Abstract:

A mobile communication device includes a housing defining an interior volume and a port connecting the interior volume to an environment exterior to the device. The mobile communication device also includes a display viewable through a surface of the housing, a pressure sensor configured to measure an air pressure within the interior volume, an air flow sensor configured to measure an air flow through the port, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine an amount of force applied to the housing using a measurement of the air pressure by the pressure sensor and a measurement of the air flow by the air flow sensor.