Wearable computing device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsTeodor Dabov, Phillip M. Hobson, Anthony Montevirgen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless housing formed from an extruded metal tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless housing, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use.
Claims20
A wearable portable electronic device, comprising:
- a unitary housing comprising a first opening and a second opening, the unitary housing comprising walls that define an internal volume;
- a processor positioned in the internal volume;
- a touch input mechanism positioned at the first opening and at least partially external with respect to the walls, the touch input mechanism comprising a touch surface having a central region and a perimeter surrounding the central region, the touch surface capable of receiving i) a first applied force at the central region that causes movement of the touch surface toward the internal volume, and ii) a second applied force at the perimeter;
- sensors covered by the touch input mechanism, the sensors capable of i) detecting the first applied force and providing a first signal to the processor, and ii) detecting the second applied force and providing a second signal, different from the first signal, to the processor;
- a display positioned at the second opening, wherein the touch input mechanism is in communication with the display;
- and
- a transparent protective cover that overlays the display, wherein the transparent protective cover lacks an opening.
A wearable portable electronic device, comprising:
- a unitary housing comprising a circular opening;
- a display carried by the unitary housing;
- a button carried by the unitary housing;
- and
- an annular user input interface positioned at a location corresponding to the circular opening and covering the button, the annular user interface cooperating with the display to present visual content,
- wherein the annular user input interface responds to a touch input event by generating a first control signal in response to a force that actuates the annular user input interface and the button, and
- wherein the annular user input interface responds to a rotational input by generating a second control signal different from the first control signal.
A wearable portable electronic device comprising:
- a unitary housing that (i) is capable of carrying operational components and (ii) has a wall with an edge that defines a front opening, wherein the operational components include:
- a processor configured to provide operational instructions,
- a rectangular touch responsive input device positioned within the front opening, wherein the rectangular touch responsive input device includes:
- a touchable surface that (i) extends away from the wall and (ii) that is capable of moving with respect to the wall in response to a force applied thereto, and
- sensors capable of (i) detecting movement of the touchable surface and, (ii) provide a signal to the processor in response to the detecting, wherein when a direction of the force applied is perpendicular with respect to the touchable surface, the sensors provide a first signal to the processor, and, when the force is applied along an outer portion of the touchable surface, the sensors provide a second signal, different than the first signal, to the processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.