Rotatable crown for an electronic device

An electronic watch comprising:

• a housing;
• a display positioned at least partially within the housing and configured to provide a graphical output;
• a crown comprising:
• a shaft configured to rotate as the crown receives a rotational input and translate as the crown receives a translational input;
• a tactile switch configured to depress in response to translation of the shaft;
• a resistance member configured to remain stationary relative to the shaft;
• an electrical sink conductively coupled to the resistance member to define a fixed reference point along the resistance member;
• a contact member configured to slide along the resistance member when the shaft is rotated, the contact member in contact with the resistance member at a contact point that changes as the shaft is rotated;
• and
• a processor positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the contact member and the display, the processor configured to:
• cause an input voltage to be applied to the contact member;
• determine an angular position, a direction of rotation, or a speed of rotation of the crown using an output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to an output voltage between the contact point and the fixed reference point, wherein the output voltage varies based on a location of the contact point along the resistance member;
• and
• vary the graphical output of the display according to the determined angular position, direction of rotation, or speed of rotation of the crown.

A crown for an electronic watch, comprising:

• a resistance member;
• an electrical sink conductively coupled to the resistance member to define a fixed reference point along the resistance member;
• a shaft configured to translate and rotate relative to the contact surface;
• and
• a contact member fixed with respect to the shaft and configured to contact the resistance member at a contact point that moves along the resistance member as the shaft rotates, thereby changing an electrical parameter of a conductive path from the contact point to the fixed reference point;
• wherein:
• a processor of the electronic watch is configured to:
• cause an input voltage to be applied to the contact member;
• receive an output signal corresponding to the electrical parameter of the conductive path from the contact point to the fixed reference point;
• determine at least one of an angular position, a direction of rotation, or a speed of rotation of the shaft based on the output signal;
• and
• vary at least one of a graphical output, a haptic output, or an audio output of the electronic watch based on the at least one of the angular position, the direction of rotation, or the speed of rotation of the shaft.