Optical Encoder for Detecting Crown Movement

An electronic device comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• an optical encoder, wherein the optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft having an encoding pattern, wherein the encoding pattern includes an axial component and a radial component comprising a plurality of markings disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft.

A method for detecting movement of a shaft contained within a housing of an electronic device, the method comprising:

• causing a light source to emanate light on the shaft, wherein the shaft includes an encoding pattern having an axial component and a radial component disposed around a circumference of the shaft and wherein at least a portion of the encoding pattern causes light from the light source to be reflected off of the shaft;
• receiving movement of the shaft;
• receiving the reflected light at a photodiode array;
• and
• determining a direction of the movement of the shaft based on the reflected light.