Switch module for electronic crown assembly
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSameer Pandya, Antonio Herrera, Colin M. Ely
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.
Claims20
An electronic watch comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a processing unit within the enclosure;
- a crown assembly positioned along a side of the enclosure and comprising:
- an actuation member comprising a shaft extending through an opening in the enclosure, the actuation member defining an input surface configured to receive a user input thereon;
- a base structure positioned within the enclosure at an end of the shaft;
- a collapsible dome coupled to the base structure and configured to collapse in response to a translational input applied to the actuation member;
- a first conductive member coupled to the base structure and conductively coupled to the collapsible dome;
- and
- a second conductive member coupled to the base structure, the second conductive member configured to conductively couple to the collapsible dome when the collapsible dome is collapsed, the second conductive member defining:
- a portion of a first conductive path from the input surface, through the shaft, and to the processing unit;
- and
- a portion of a second conductive path from the first conductive member and through the collapsible dome when the collapsible dome is collapsed, wherein
- the processing unit is configured to:
- determine a biological parameter of a user based at least in part on a first signal detected via the first conductive path;
- and
- detect the translational input based at least in part on a second signal detected via the second conductive path.
A wearable electronic device comprising:
- a display;
- a cover over the display;
- an enclosure coupled to the cover and at least partially enclosing the display;
- a processing unit within the enclosure;
- and
- a crown assembly coupled to the enclosure and configured to receive a rotational input and a translational input and comprising:
- a body portion external to the enclosure and defining an input surface;
- a shaft extending from the body portion and through a hole defined in the enclosure;
- a base structure positioned within the enclosure at an end of the shaft;
- a collapsible dome coupled to the base structure and configured to transition from an uncollapsed state to a collapsed state in response to the translational input;
- and
- a conductive member coupled to the base structure and defining:
- a portion of a first conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit, the first conductive path persisting when the collapsible dome is in the collapsed state and in the uncollapsed state;
- and
- a portion of a second conductive path, the second conductive path formed when the collapsible dome is in the collapsed state.
A wearable electronic device comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a processing unit within the enclosure;
- a crown assembly comprising:
- an actuation member coupled to the enclosure and configured to receive a rotational input, a translational input, and a voltage input;
- a base structure positioned at an end of the actuation member;
- a conductive member coupled to the base structure and having a persistent conductive coupling with the actuation member to carry the voltage input to the processing unit;
- and
- a conductive switch element coupled to the base structure and configured to conductively couple to the conductive member in response to the translational input, wherein
- the processing unit is configured to:
- determine a biological parameter of a user based at least in part on the voltage input received via the persistent conductive coupling;
- and
- detect the translational input based at least in part on a detection of the conductive coupling between the conductive switch element and the conductive member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.