# US 12,761,606 B2 · Tri-axis force sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,761,606 B2 - Document ID: US12761606B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/789,281 - Filed: 2024-07-30 - Published: 2024-11-28 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-18 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Colin M. Ely; Erik G. de Jong; Steven P. Cardinali - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12761606B2 ## CPC - G04G 21/00: Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces - G04G 9/0005: {Transmission of control signals} - G04G: ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the user input control is a crown; the crown further comprises a stud protruding from the housing; the cap is rotatably coupled to the stud; and the force sensing system is positioned between the stud and the cap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the electronic device further comprises a sealing element formed between the stud and the housing, the sealing element configured to inhibit entry of liquids into the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the cap is further configured to receive an oblique force, the oblique force applied at an angle between the first axis and the third axis; and the oblique force causes the cap to tilt relative to the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic device of claim 4, wherein: the user input control comprises a stud coupled to the housing; the cap is movably coupled to the stud; the force sensing system comprises a compliant material positioned between the cap and the stud; and in response to the oblique force, a portion of the compliant material is placed under tension. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the housing defines a protruding portion extending from the housing; the force sensing system further comprises: a drive electrode coupled to one of the cap or the protruding portion; a sense electrode coupled to the other of the cap or the protruding portion; and a compliant material between the drive electrode and the sense electrode, the compliant material configured to be deformed in response to the axial force and the lateral force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the cap is constrained relative to the housing such that the cap is rotatable up to less than a full revolution. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein: the force sensor is one of a plurality of force sensors arranged along the compliant material; and the processing system is configured to estimate a direction of the force. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8, further comprising a gasket coupled to the crown cap and the housing, the gasket configured to inhibit entry of contaminants into the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8 wherein the rigid structure and the housing are a monolithic piece. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein: the force sensing system is configured to detect a change in capacitance between a first electrode coupled to the crown cap and a second electrode; in response to the second input being applied rotationally in a first direction, the force sensing system is configured to detect an increase in capacitance; and in response to the second input being applied rotationally in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, the force sensing system is configured to detect a decrease in capacitance; and the processing system is configured to determine an applied direction of the second force based on the increase or the decrease in capacitance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the crown cap is configured to only partially rotate less than a full revolution. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The wearable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the compliant material surrounds at least a portion of the rigid structure and fills a cavity defined by the crown cap. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The user input control of claim 15, wherein: the force sensing system further comprises a circuit configured to detect an applied force; and the compliant material at least partially fills an inside cavity of the crown cap and encompasses the circuit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The user input control of claim 16, wherein: the base structure defines an opening; the compliant material is further positioned within the opening; and the circuit passes through the opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The user input control of claim 15, wherein the compliant material is a gel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The user input control of claim 15, wherein, in response to the lateral input: a first region of the compliant material is under compression; a second region of the compliant material is under tension, the second region is different from the first region; and a difference in pressure differential of the compliant material between the first region and the second region causes the crown cap to tilt. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The user input control of claim 15, wherein the force sensing system comprises an array of capacitive sensors.