Modular sensing assembly for an electronic device
A modular sensing assembly may be used to detect user inputs at an electronic device. Example user inputs include touch inputs, fingerprint inputs, translational inputs, audio inputs, biometric inputs, and the like. Inputs received using the modular sensing assembly may be used to control a graphical output of a display of the electronic device. A modular sensing assembly may be configured, for example, as a power button, a key of a keyboard, a control button (e.g., volume control), a home button, a watch crown, and so on.
1 . An electronic watch comprising:
a display;
a front cover positioned over the display;
a housing coupled to the front cover and defining a sidewall extending from the front cover to a back of the electronic watch;
a watch band coupled to the housing; and
an elongate input assembly positioned along the sidewall and comprising:
a button cover defining an exterior surface, the button cover formed from a nonconductive material;
a conductive coating deposited on the button cover and at least partially defining an electrode;
a fingerprint sensing element positioned below the button cover and configured to capture a representation of a finger in contact with the button cover; and
a force sensing element below the button cover and configured to detect a force input applied to the button cover, wherein:
the electronic watch is configured to determine an electrocardiograph based at least in part on a voltage detected at the electrode.
2 . The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein:
the electrode is a first electrode;
the voltage is a first voltage;
the electronic watch further comprises a second electrode positioned on the housing; and
the electronic watch is configured to determine the electrocardiograph based on the first voltage and a second voltage detected at the second electrode.
3 . The electronic watch of claim 2 , wherein:
the fingerprint sensing element comprises a capacitive sensing element; and
the capacitive sensing element is configured to detect a gesture input applied to the button cover.
4 . The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein:
the button cover defines a hole extending through the button cover from the exterior surface; and
the elongate input assembly further comprises a microphone module positioned below the button cover and configured to receive an audio input through the hole in the button cover.
5 . The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein:
the force input is a first force input;
the force sensing element is a first force sensing element; and
the elongate input assembly further comprises a second force sensing element below the button cover and configured to detect a second force input applied to the button cover.
6 . The electronic watch of claim 5 , wherein:
the button cover defines an elongate shape extending from a first end to a second end;
the first force sensing element is below the first end of the button cover;
the second force sensing element is below the second end of the button cover; and
the fingerprint sensing element is below a central region of the button cover between the first end and the second end.
7 . A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing defining a side surface extending between a front surface and a rear surface of the wearable electronic device;
a front cover coupled to the housing and defining at least a portion of the front surface of the wearable electronic device;
an elongate input assembly coupled to the housing along the side surface and configured to receive a force input and a user authentication input, the elongate input assembly comprising:
a button cover defining an input surface of the elongate input assembly;
a conductive coating deposited on the button cover and at least partially defining an electrode;
a fingerprint sensing element coupled to the button cover and comprising a capacitive sensing element, the fingerprint sensing element configured to:
capture a representation of a fingerprint during the user authentication input; and
detect a touch input applied to the button cover, the touch input comprising a swipe input extending along at least a portion of the input surface; and
a force sensing system configured to detect the force input.
8 . The wearable electronic device of claim 7 , wherein:
the electrode is a first electrode;
the wearable electronic device further comprises a second electrode positioned on the housing; and
the wearable electronic device is configured to determine an electrocardiograph based on a first voltage received at the first electrode and a second voltage received at the second electrode.
9 . The wearable electronic device of claim 7 , wherein:
the button cover defines a hole extending therethrough; and
the elongate input assembly further comprises a microphone positioned below the button cover and configured to receive an audio input through the hole.
10 . The wearable electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the microphone is coupled to an interior surface of the button cover, the interior surface opposite the input surface.
11 . A watch comprising:
a housing;
a touch-sensitive display at least partially within the housing;
a front cover coupled to the housing and positioned over the touch-sensitive display;
a button positioned along a sidewall of the housing between the front cover and a back of the housing and comprising a button cover defining an elongate input surface extending from a first end of the button to a second end of the button;
a first force sensing element positioned below the first end of the button and configured to detect a first force input applied at the first end of the button;
a second force sensing element positioned below the second end of the button and configured to detect a second force input applied at the second end of the button;
a conductive coating deposited on the button cover and at least partially defining an electrode; and
a fingerprint sensing element positioned below a fingerprint input region of the elongate input surface, the fingerprint input region positioned between the first end of the button and the second end of the button.
12 . The watch of claim 11 , wherein the fingerprint sensing element is configured to capture a representation of a fingerprint from a finger applied to the fingerprint input region of the elongate input surface.
13 . The watch of claim 11 , wherein the button further comprises:
a button retainer rigidly coupled to the housing; and
a trim member coupled to the button cover and configured to movably support the button cover relative to the button retainer.
14 . The watch of claim 13 , wherein a portion of the trim member extends around a perimeter of the button cover.
15 . The watch of claim 11 , wherein:
the button cover defines a hole at the first end of the button cover; and
the button further includes a microphone module positioned below the hole and configured to detect an audio input through the hole.
16 . The watch of claim 15 , wherein:
the electrode is positioned at the second end of the button cover; and
the watch is configured to determine an electrocardiograph based at least in part on a voltage detected at the electrode.
17 . A wearable electronic device comprising:
a housing defining a side surface extending between a front surface and a rear surface of the wearable electronic device;
a front cover coupled to the housing and defining at least a portion of the front surface of the wearable electronic device; and
an elongate input assembly coupled to the housing along the side surface and configured to receive a force input and a user authentication input, the elongate input assembly comprising:
a button cover defining:
a hole extending therethrough; and
an input surface of the elongate input assembly;
a microphone positioned below the button cover and configured to receive an audio input through the hole;
a fingerprint sensing element coupled to the button cover and configured to capture a representation of a fingerprint during the user authentication input; and
a force sensing system configured to detect the force input.