Method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device using a rotary control

A method for controlling an electronic device using a rotary control, the method comprising:

• receiving, by an electronic processor from an inductance sensor, a first inductance;
• comparing, by the electronic processor, the first inductance to a first threshold;
• determining, by the electronic processor, a location for the rotary control when the first inductance exceeds the first threshold;
• activating, by the electronic processor, a control function based on the location;
• receiving, by the electronic processor from the inductance sensor, a second inductance;
• determining, by the electronic processor, a delta based on the first inductance and the second inductance;
• adjusting, by the electronic processor, the control function based on the delta.

A portable electronic device comprising:

• a housing;
• an electronic processor;
• a rotary control coupled to the housing, including
• a knob having a longitudinal axis, the knob movable between a first location and a second location and rotatable around the longitudinal axis;
• a first sensor located at the first location and configured to sense when the knob is in the first location;
• a second sensor located at the second location and configured to sense when the knob is in the second location.