Tactile switch for an electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11886149-B2
Application number	US-202117187317-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 26, 2021
Priority date	Aug 9, 2013
Publication date	Jan 30, 2024
Grant date	Jan 30, 2024

Abstract

An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic watch comprising:
an enclosure defining a first electrically conductive portion and an opening that extends through a sidewall of the enclosure;
a display at least partially enclosed by the enclosure;
a non-conductive sleeve positioned in the opening of the enclosure and defining a sleeve opening; and
a tactile switch assembly comprising:
a head positioned along the sidewall of the enclosure and defining a second electrically conductive portion;
a conductive shaft attached to the head and extending through the sleeve opening; and
a tactile switch positioned at an end of the conductive shaft and within the enclosure, the tactile switch electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive portion of the head by the conductive shaft, wherein:

the electronic watch is configured to measure an electrical parameter of a body using the first electrically conductive portion of the enclosure and the second electrically conductive portion of the tactile switch assembly.

2. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the tactile switch comprises:
a collapsible dome that is configured to collapse in response to an inward translation of the head and the conductive shaft;
a set of terminals operatively coupled to the collapsible dome; and
a conductive element configured to make an electrical connection with the conductive shaft.

3. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the tactile switch comprises:
a collapsible dome configured to deform in response to an actuation of the tactile switch assembly; and
a conductive nub positioned between the collapsible dome and the end of the conductive shaft, the conductive nub configured to make an electrical connection with the conductive shaft.

4. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive sleeve defines a seal between the sleeve opening and a portion of the conductive shaft that extends through the sleeve opening.

5. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive sleeve electrically isolates the tactile switch assembly from the enclosure.

6. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein:
the tactile switch assembly further comprises an electrical contact positioned at the end of the conductive shaft; and
the electrical contact is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive portion through the conductive shaft.

7. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the electronic watch is configured to determine a heart rate of a user based on the measured electrical parameter.

8. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the electronic watch is configured to determine an electrocardiogram based on the measured electrical parameter.

9. A wearable electronic device comprising:
an enclosure defining a first electrically conductive portion and an opening:
a non-conductive sleeve positioned in the opening of the enclosure and defining a sleeve opening; and
a tactile switch assembly configured to receive a translational input and a rotational input, the tactile switch assembly comprising:
a head defining a second electrically conductive portion;
a coupling comprising a conductive shaft coupled to the head and extending through the sleeve opening;
a dome switch positioned proximate an end of the coupling and configured to actuate in response to the translational input; and
an electrical contact positioned between the dome switch and the end of the coupling and electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive portion by the conductive shaft, wherein:

the wearable electronic device is configured to measure an electrical parameter using a first electrical signal received at the first electrically conductive portion and a second electrical signal received at the second electrically conductive portion.

10. The wearable electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the electrical contact comprises a metal component that is configured to receive a shear force from the coupling when the tactile switch assembly is rotated in response to the rotational input.

11. The wearable electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the electrical contact is a conductive nub that is configured to electrically contact the end of the coupling.

12. The wearable electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:
the wearable electronic device further comprises a display configured to produce a graphical output;
the tactile switch assembly further comprises a rotation sensor that is configured to detect the rotational input provided to the tactile switch assembly; and
the wearable electronic device is configured to modify the graphical output in response to an output of the rotation sensor.

13. The wearable electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the coupling includes a trackable element that is sensed by the rotation sensor.

14. The wearable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein:
the rotation sensor is an optical sensor; and
the optical sensor detects light reflected off the trackable element.

15. An electronic watch comprising:
an enclosure having a first portion that is configured as a first electrode and an opening in a sidewall of the enclosure;
a touch-sensitive display positioned at least partially within the enclosure and configured to:
receive a touch input; and
display a graphical output;

a tactile switch assembly comprising:
a head positioned along a side of the enclosure and configured to receive a rotational input and a translational input, the head having a portion that is configured as a second electrode;
a coupling that extends through the opening in the sidewall of the enclosure; and
a tactile switch positioned at an end of the coupling and configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrode by the coupling;

a processor positioned within the enclosure and electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes; and
the processor is configured to:
determine an electrical measurement of a heart using the first and second electrodes; and
modify the graphical output of the touch-sensitive display in response to determining the electrical measurement.

16. The electronic watch of claim 15 , wherein the tactile switch comprises:
a dome that is configured to deflect in response to the translational input received at the head; and
an electrical element positioned between the dome and the end of the coupling and that is configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrode by the coupling.

17. The electronic watch of claim 16 , wherein the tactile switch includes a set of terminals that are operably coupled to the dome and the electrical element.

18. The electronic watch of claim 15 , wherein the tactile switch includes a conductive nub that is configured to be electrically coupled to the second electrode by the coupling.

19. The electronic watch of claim 15 , wherein:
the coupling includes a conductive shaft;
the electronic watch further comprises a non-conductive sleeve that is positioned within the opening in the sidewall of the enclosure;
the non-conductive sleeve defines a sleeve opening; and
the conductive shaft extends through the sleeve opening thereby electrically insulating the conductive shaft from the enclosure.

20. The electronic watch of claim 15 , wherein the electrical measurement is one or more of: an electrocardiograph or a heart rate of a user.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Ely Colin M
• Morrell John B
• Kerr Duncan
• Moussette Camille

Classifications

• G04B27/002 Primary

  The setting apparatus being crown shaped (G04B27/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G04G21/08

  Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces · CPC title

• G06F1/163 Primary

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• G06F3/0362

  with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts · CPC title

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title