Tactile switch for an electronic device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsColin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.
Claims20
An electronic watch comprising:
- an enclosure defining a first electrically conductive portion and an opening that extends through a sidewall of the enclosure;
- a display at least partially enclosed by the enclosure;
- a non-conductive sleeve positioned in the opening of the enclosure and defining a sleeve opening;
- and
- a tactile switch assembly comprising:
- a head positioned along the sidewall of the enclosure and defining a second electrically conductive portion;
- a conductive shaft attached to the head and extending through the sleeve opening;
- and
- a tactile switch positioned at an end of the conductive shaft and within the enclosure, the tactile switch electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive portion of the head by the conductive shaft, wherein:
- the electronic watch is configured to measure an electrical parameter of a body using the first electrically conductive portion of the enclosure and the second electrically conductive portion of the tactile switch assembly.
A wearable electronic device comprising:
- an enclosure defining a first electrically conductive portion and an opening:
- a non-conductive sleeve positioned in the opening of the enclosure and defining a sleeve opening;
- and
- a tactile switch assembly configured to receive a translational input and a rotational input, the tactile switch assembly comprising:
- a head defining a second electrically conductive portion;
- a coupling comprising a conductive shaft coupled to the head and extending through the sleeve opening;
- a dome switch positioned proximate an end of the coupling and configured to actuate in response to the translational input;
- and
- an electrical contact positioned between the dome switch and the end of the coupling and electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive portion by the conductive shaft, wherein:
- the wearable electronic device is configured to measure an electrical parameter using a first electrical signal received at the first electrically conductive portion and a second electrical signal received at the second electrically conductive portion.
An electronic watch comprising:
- an enclosure having a first portion that is configured as a first electrode and an opening in a sidewall of the enclosure;
- a touch-sensitive display positioned at least partially within the enclosure and configured to:
- receive a touch input;
- and
- display a graphical output;
- a tactile switch assembly comprising:
- a head positioned along a side of the enclosure and configured to receive a rotational input and a translational input, the head having a portion that is configured as a second electrode;
- a coupling that extends through the opening in the sidewall of the enclosure;
- and
- a tactile switch positioned at an end of the coupling and configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrode by the coupling;
- a processor positioned within the enclosure and electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes;
- and
- the processor is configured to:
- determine an electrical measurement of a heart using the first and second electrodes;
- and
- modify the graphical output of the touch-sensitive display in response to determining the electrical measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.