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US 12,761,606 B2Granted
Tri-axis force sensor
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsColin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Steven P. Cardinali
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An input device includes a movable input surface protruding from an electronic device. The input device enables force inputs along three axes relative to the electronic device: first lateral movements, second lateral movements, and axial movements. The input device includes force or displacement sensors which can detect a direction and magnitude of input forces.
Claims20
An electronic device comprising:
- a display;
- a housing at least partially enclosing the display;
- a user input control protruding from the housing, the user input control comprising:
- a cap configured to receive:
- an axial force along a first axis, the axial force configured cause the cap to translate along the first axis;
- a rotational force about a second axis, the rotational force configured to cause the cap to rotate about the second axis;
- and
- a lateral force along a third axis, the lateral force configured to cause the cap to shift along the third axis;
- a force sensing system configured to detect an applied force, the applied force including at least one of the axial force, the rotational force, or the lateral force;
- and
- a processing unit coupled to the force sensing system, the processing unit configured to modify a graphical output of the display in response to the detected applied force exceeding a threshold.
8 more elements
A wearable electronic device comprising:
- a housing comprising a rigid structure extending from an outer surface of the housing;
- a display coupled to the housing;
- a crown coupled to the rigid structure, the crown comprising:
- a crown cap defining a user input surface configured to:
- receive a first input comprising a first force along a first axis;
- receive a second input comprising a rotational force about the first axis;
- and
- receive a third input comprising a second force along a second axis, the second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
- a compliant material positioned between the rigid structure and the crown cap;
- and
- a force sensing system comprising a force sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a deformation of the compliant material due to any of the first force, the second force, or the rotational force;
- and
- a processing system configured to estimate a magnitude of any of the first force, the second force, or the rotational force based on the signal.
10 more elements
A user input control for an electronic device, the user input control comprising:
- a base structure;
- a crown cap configured to:
- rotate about a rotational axis in response to a rotational input;
- translate along the rotational axis in response to an actuation input;
- and
- laterally translate along an axis perpendicular to the rotational axis and in response to a lateral input;
- a compliant material positioned between the base structure and the crown cap, the compliant material configured to:
- constrain the rotation of the crown cap to less than a full revolution;
- allow motion of the crown cap with respect to the base structure due to the rotational input, the actuation input, and the lateral input;
- and
- a force sensing system comprising:
- a force sensor arranged within the compliant material, the force sensor configured to detect a change in an electrical property;
- and
- a processing system configured to estimate a force magnitude associated with the rotational input, actuation input, and lateral input based on the change in the electrical property.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.