Rotary input mechanism for an electronic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
- an enclosure having an aperture defined therethrough;
an input button having a stem that extends into the aperture and defines an axis extending along a length of the stem;
an optical sensor positioned along a side of the stem and configured to sense an optical characteristic of the stem to detect a rotation of the input button about the axis;
a switch including a collapsible dome positioned proximate an end of the stem and configured to detect a translation of the input button along the axis; and
an O-ring positioned around the stem and within the aperture, the O-ring maintaining contact with an interior surface of the aperture during the rotation of the input button and the translation of the input button.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.
315 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
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an enclosure having an aperture defined therethrough; an input button having a stem that extends into the aperture and defines an axis extending along a length of the stem; an optical sensor positioned along a side of the stem and configured to sense an optical characteristic of the stem to detect a rotation of the input button about the axis; a switch including a collapsible dome positioned proximate an end of the stem and configured to detect a translation of the input button along the axis; and an O-ring positioned around the stem and within the aperture, the O-ring maintaining contact with an interior surface of the aperture during the rotation of the input button and the translation of the input button. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A watch, comprising:
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an enclosure having an aperture formed in a sidewall of the enclosure; an input button having a stem that extends into the aperture; a sealing element positioned around the stem and forming a seal between the enclosure and the stem; an optical sensor configured to sense an optical characteristic of the stem to detect a rotation of the input button about a longitudinal axis of the stem; and a switch including a collapsible dome and configured to detect a translation of the input button toward the enclosure, wherein; the sealing element is configured to move within the aperture and maintain the seal during both the translation of the input button and the rotation of the input button. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
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an enclosure defining an aperture and an opening; a display at least partially received within the opening; an input button extending from an outside of the enclosure, through the aperture, and into an inside of the enclosure; an optical sensing element within the enclosure and configured to sense a surface of the input button; a switch having a collapsible dome positioned proximate to an end of the input button; and a sealing element positioned within the aperture and around a portion of the input button, wherein; the optical sensing element is operable to track a rotation of the input button about an axis by sensing the surface of the input button; the switch is operable to detect a translation of the input button along the axis; and the sealing element is configured to maintain a seal between the input button and the enclosure during both the rotation of the input button and the translation of the input button. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification