CAPACITIVE GAP SENSOR RING FOR AN INPUT DEVICE

• US 20180018026A1
• Filed: 07/15/2016
• Published: 01/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bushnell, Tyler S., Petty, Collin R., Clavelle, Adam T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,061,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/005 Multiple switches G04C3/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/007 Electromechanical contact-making and breaking devices acting as pulse generators for setting
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0339 Touch strips, e.g. orthogonal touch strips to control cursor movement or scrolling; single touch strip to adjust parameter or to implement a row of soft keys
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes

Abstract

An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

Claims

1. A wearable electronic device having a multi-directional input device, comprising:

a shaft;

a cap operable to move with respect to the shaft; and

a sensor coupling the cap to the shaft and comprising;

an outer set of capacitive elements;

an inner set of capacitive elements; and

a dielectric between the outer and inner sets of capacitive elements; and

a returning structure operable to;

allow movement of the outer set of capacitive elements with respect to the inner set of capacitive elements; and

return the outer set of capacitive elements to a default position.

2. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein a first element of the outer set of capacitive elements completely overlaps a first element of the inner set of capacitive elements.

3. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein a first element of the outer set of capacitive elements is offset from a first element of the inner set of capacitive elements.

4. The wearable electronic device of claim 3, wherein:

the first element of the outer set of capacitive elements is offset from the first element of the inner set of capacitive elements by a first distance;

a second element of the outer set of capacitive elements is offset from a second element of the inner set of capacitive elements by a second distance; and

the first and second distances are different.

5. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is moveable.

6. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric comprises at least one of silicone or adhesive.

7. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric comprises an air gap.

8. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is operable to determine rotation of the cap with respect to the shaft, lateral translation of the cap with respect to the shaft, and horizontal translation of the cap with respect to the shaft based on capacitance changes between the outer and inner sets of capacitive elements.

9. The wearable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric is the returning structure.

10. An electronic device having an input device, comprising:

a rotational manipulation mechanism;

a first array of capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism;

a second array of capacitive elements; and

a dielectric that couples the first and second arrays of capacitive elements;

wherein;

movement of the manipulation mechanism generates capacitance changes between the first and second arrays of capacitive elements.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein:

the first array of capacitive elements is included in a first ring; and

the second array of capacitive elements is included in a second ring that is at least partially nested within the first ring.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the dielectric operates as a seal for the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein:

movement of the manipulation mechanism alters at least one of a first overlap area or a first distance between a first pair of the first and second arrays of capacitive elements;

movement of the manipulation mechanism alters at least one of a second overlap area or a second distance between a second pair of the first and second arrays of capacitive elements;

the first overlap area is different from the second overlap area; and

the first distance is different from the second distance.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the manipulation mechanism is operable to rotate, press, and slide.

15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first array of capacitive elements has a different number of elements than the second array of capacitive elements.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first and second arrays of capacitive elements experience a change in capacitance in response to a touch on the manipulation mechanism.

17. An input device, comprising:

a fixed structure;

a moveable member that is rotatable with respect to the fixed structure;

a first set of conductors positioned around the moveable member; and

a second set of conductors positioned around the fixed structure to define a gap between the first and second sets of conductors;

wherein;

capacitance changes between the first and second sets of conductors indicate movement of the moveable element with respect to the fixed structure.

18. The input device of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first set of conductors or the second set of conductors is curved.

19. The input device of claim 17, wherein the input device comprises a watch crown.

20. The input device of claim 17, wherein the input device comprises a joystick.