Rotary input mechanism for an electronic device

US10234828B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Colin M. Ely · Cupertino, US
• Fletcher R. Rothkopf · Los Altos, US
• Christopher M. Werner · Cupertino, US
• John B. Morrell · Bedford, US
• Camille Moussette · Cupertino, US
• Duncan Robert Kerr · San Francisco, US
• Anna-Katrina Shedletsky · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 26, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 26, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H35/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.