# US 12,130,672 B1 · Modular button assembly for an electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,130,672 B1 - Document ID: US12130672B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/392,029 - Filed: 2021-08-02 - Granted: 2024-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-12 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell; Colin M. Ely; Erik G. de Jong; Trevor J. Ness; James G. Horiuchi; Steven P. Cardinali - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12130672B1 ## CPC - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - G04G 17/02: Component assemblies - G04G 21/08: Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces - G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position} - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt} - G06F 1/1671: {Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop (G06F1/1666 takes precedence)} - G06F 1/1684: {Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675} - G06F 1/169: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes (G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033)} - G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface} - G06F 3/0362: with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts - G06V 40/13: Sensors therefor - H03K 17/962: {Capacitive touch switches} - H03K 17/975: using a capacitive movable element - G06F 2203/0338: Fingerprint track pad, i.e. fingerprint sensor used as pointing device tracking the fingertip image - H03K 2217/960755: Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches - H03K 2217/960775: Emitter-receiver or "fringe" type detection, i.e. one or more field emitting electrodes and corresponding one or more receiving electrodes - H03K 2217/9651: the moving element acting on a force, e.g. pressure sensitive element - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G04G: ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) ## Abstract A modular button assembly includes a button housing that may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The modular button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may further include a sensor to detect the received inputs and transmit a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The modular button assembly may be configured such that disposing the button housing in the opening of the enclosure forms a seal that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic watch comprising: an enclosure having a recess, an outward-facing surface in the recess, a sidewall, in the recess, that is substantially perpendicular to the outward-facing surface, and an opening through the outward-facing surface, the enclosure defining an enclosed volume, the outward-facing surface facing away from the enclosed volume; a display at least partially surrounded by the enclosure; a processor assembly operably coupled to the display and positioned within the enclosed volume of the enclosure; a button assembly including an input member, the input member having an inward-facing surface and an input surface, the inward-facing surface of the input member being substantially parallel to the outward-facing surface of the recess, the inward-facing surface facing toward the enclosed volume of the enclosure; a biometric sensor attached to the button assembly and positioned between an internal surface of the input member and the outward-facing surface of the recess, the biometric sensor being operably connected to the processor assembly; and a seal in contact with the recess and compressible at a position between the outward-facing surface of the sidewall recess and the inward-facing surface of the input member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a sleeve disposed around an electrical connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein movement of the input member perpendicular to the input surface is configured to compress the seal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a waterproof adhesive material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein the seal seals at a top interface between the seal and the inward-facing surface of the button assembly and at a bottom interface between the seal and the outward-facing surface of the enclosure. ### Claim 6 An electronic watch, comprising: an enclosure defining an interior volume and comprising a recess that includes an outward-facing surface facing away from the interior volume, and a side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outward-facing surface; a button housing attached to the enclosure, the button housing comprising an inward-facing surface facing toward the interior volume, the inward-facing surface being substantially parallel to the outward-facing surface; an input member positioned outward from the button housing, the input member defining an input surface and being translatable between a first position relative to the button housing and a second position relative to the button housing, the first position being located outwardly relative to the second position; a compliant member coupled to the button housing and to the input member; a fastener attaching the button housing to the enclosure and extending through the outward-facing surface of the enclosure and through the inward-facing surface of the button housing; wherein the compliant member is compressible at a position between the outward-facing surface of the recess and the input member in response to translation of the input member relative to the button housing from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the compliant member seals a surface of the button housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the translating movement of the input member provides a tactile response in response to an input. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the compliant member has a toroidal shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the compliant member is disposed around a sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electronic watch of claim 10, wherein the sensor includes a biometric sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the compliant member comprises multiple layers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein the input member comprises an at least partially transparent material. ### Claim 14 An electronic watch comprising: an enclosure having a first recess and defining an interior volume, wherein the first recess includes an outward-facing surface facing away from the interior volume and a side surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outward-facing surface, and wherein an opening extends through the first recess from the outward-facing surface to the interior volume; a computing device positioned inward to the outward-facing surface and within the interior volume; a button assembly having an inward-facing surface and a second recess, wherein the inward-facing surface is substantially parallel to the outward-facing surface and faces inward toward the interior volume; a first seal in contact with the first recess and positioned between the outward-facing surface of the first recess and the inward-facing surface of the button assembly; and a second seal positioned in the second recess external to the first seal relative to the outward-facing surface; wherein a fastener extends through the outward-facing surface into a portion of the button assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electronic watch of claim 14, wherein the first seal comprises a gasket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The electronic watch of claim 14, wherein the first seal is compressible. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein the second seal is configured to move with the button assembly relative to the enclosure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The electronic watch of claim 16, wherein a fastener extends through the enclosure into a portion of the button assembly.