Touch-sensing pattern for multi-angular orientations

1 . An electronic device comprising:

a touch-sensing device comprising a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a pattern configured to detect user input at a plurality of angular orientations, the plurality of touch sensors comprising:

a first sensor having a first end, a second end, a first outer arc connecting the first end to the second end, a first inner arc connecting the first end to the second end, and a first horizontal centerline, the first sensor having a first variable width between the first outer arc and the first inner arc, the first variable width having a largest width at substantially the first horizontal centerline;

a second sensor having a third end, a fourth end, a second outer arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, a second inner arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, and a second horizontal centerline, the second sensor having a second variable width between the second outer arc and the second inner arc, the second variable width having a largest width at substantially the second horizontal centerline;

a third sensor positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor having a fifth end, a sixth end, and a first length that extends from the fifth end to the sixth end, the fifth end proximate to the third end of the second sensor and the sixth end proximate to the fourth end of the second sensor;

a fourth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fourth sensor having a seventh end, an eighth end, and a second length that extends from the seventh end to the eighth end, the seventh end proximate to the first end of the first sensor and the eighth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline; and

a fifth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fifth sensor having a ninth end, a tenth end, and a third length that extends from the ninth end to the tenth end, the tenth end proximate to the second end of the first sensor and the ninth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline,

wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless earbud, the electronic device further comprising a vertical centerline for the touch-sensing device, the vertical centerline having an initial vertical position, and wherein the plurality of touch sensors is disposed proximate to a surface of the wireless earbud, the plurality of touch sensors configured to detect, via at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, user input at the surface of the wireless earbud, and

wherein the plurality of touch sensors are configured to detect, via the at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, the user input for one or more angular orientations of the wireless earbud between 85 degrees forward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline and 85 degrees rearward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline.

2 . An electronic device comprising:

a touch-sensing device comprising a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a pattern configured to detect user input at a plurality of angular orientations, the plurality of touch sensors comprising:

a first sensor having a first end, a second end, a first outer arc connecting the first end to the second end, a first inner arc connecting the first end to the second end, and a first horizontal centerline, the first sensor having a first variable width between the first outer arc and the first inner arc, the first variable width having a largest width at substantially the first horizontal centerline;

a second sensor having a third end, a fourth end, a second outer arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, a second inner arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, and a second horizontal centerline, the second sensor having a second variable width between the second outer arc and the second inner arc, the second variable width having a largest width at substantially the second horizontal centerline;

a third sensor positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor having a fifth end, a sixth end, and a first length that extends from the fifth end to the sixth end, the fifth end proximate to the third end of the second sensor and the sixth end proximate to the fourth end of the second sensor;

a fourth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fourth sensor having a seventh end, an eighth end, and a second length that extends from the seventh end to the eighth end, the seventh end proximate to the first end of the first sensor and the eighth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline; and

a fifth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fifth sensor having a ninth end, a tenth end, and a third length that extends from the ninth end to the tenth end, the tenth end proximate to the second end of the first sensor and the ninth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline,

wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless earbud, the electronic device further comprising a vertical centerline for the touch-sensing device, the vertical centerline having an initial vertical position, and wherein the plurality of touch sensors is disposed proximate to a surface of the wireless earbud, the plurality of touch sensors configured to detect, via at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, user input at the surface of the wireless earbud, and

wherein the plurality of touch sensors are configured to detect, via the at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, the user input for all angular orientations of the wireless earbud between 85 degrees forward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline and 85 degrees rearward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises a horizontal swipe across the surface of the wireless earbud.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless earbud is stemless.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of touch sensors are capacitive touch sensors.

6 . An electronic device comprising:

a touch-sensing device comprising a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a pattern configured to detect user input at a plurality of angular orientations, the plurality of touch sensors comprising:

a first sensor having a first end, a second end, a first outer arc connecting the first end to the second end, a first inner arc connecting the first end to the second end, and a first horizontal centerline, the first sensor having a first variable width between the first outer arc and the first inner arc, the first variable width having a largest width at substantially the first horizontal centerline;

a second sensor having a third end, a fourth end, a second outer arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, a second inner arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, and a second horizontal centerline, the second sensor having a second variable width between the second outer arc and the second inner arc, the second variable width having a largest width at substantially the second horizontal centerline;

a third sensor positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor having a fifth end, a sixth end, and a first length that extends from the fifth end to the sixth end, the fifth end proximate to the third end of the second sensor and the sixth end proximate to the fourth end of the second sensor;

a fourth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fourth sensor having a seventh end, an eighth end, and a second length that extends from the seventh end to the eighth end, the seventh end proximate to the first end of the first sensor and the eighth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline; and

a fifth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fifth sensor having a ninth end, a tenth end, and a third length that extends from the ninth end to the tenth end, the tenth end proximate to the second end of the first sensor and the ninth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline,

wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless earbud, the electronic device further comprising a vertical centerline for the touch-sensing device, the vertical centerline having an initial vertical position, and wherein the plurality of touch sensors is disposed proximate to a surface of the wireless earbud, the plurality of touch sensors configured to detect, via at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, user input at the surface of the wireless earbud, and

wherein the third sensor includes a first arcuate side proximate to the second sensor and a first flat side proximate to the fourth and fifth sensors.

7 . The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the fourth sensor includes a second arcuate side proximate to the first sensor, a second flat side proximate to the third sensor, and a third flat side proximate to the fifth sensor.

8 . The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein the fifth sensor includes a third arcuate side proximate to the first sensor, a fourth flat side proximate to the third sensor, and a fifth flat side proximate to the fourth sensor.

9 . The electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first gap positioned between the first inner arc of the first sensor and the second and third arcuate sides of the fourth and fifth sensors;

a second gap positioned between the second inner arc of the second sensor and the first arcuate side of the third sensor;

a third gap positioned between the first flat side of the third sensor and the second and fourth flat sides of the fourth and fifth sensors; and

a fourth gap positioned between the third flat side of the fourth sensor and the fifth flat side of the fifth sensor.

10 . The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the fourth gap is substantially aligned with the first and second horizontal centerlines.

11 . The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the third gap is offset from the vertical centerline and the fourth and fifth sensors are configured to detect a vertical swipe substantially along the vertical centerline.

12 . The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising:

a substantially circular gap positioned between the third sensor, the fourth sensor, and the fifth sensor.

13 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the first and second sensors are substantially crescent-shaped, the third sensor is substantially semioval-shaped, and the fourth and fifth sensors are each substantially shaped as a quarter of an oval.

14 . An electronic device comprising:

a touch-sensing device comprising a plurality of touch sensors arranged in a pattern configured to detect user input at a plurality of angular and horizontal orientations, the plurality of touch sensors comprising:

a first sensor;

a second sensor;

a third sensor;

a fourth sensor; and

a fifth sensor,

wherein:

the touch-sensing device includes a vertical centerline having an initial vertical position;

the plurality of touch sensors is disposed proximate to a surface of the touch-sensing device; and

the plurality of touch sensors are configured to detect, via at least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, the user input for:

angular orientations between 85 degrees forward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline and 85 degrees rearward of the initial vertical position of the vertical centerline; and

horizontal orientations perpendicular to the vertical centerline from a top portion proximate a first end of the vertical centerline to a bottom portion proximate an opposing second end of the vertical centerline.

15 . The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of touch sensors are configured to detect, via at the least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, the user input, the user input being a horizontal swipe for all horizontal orientations perpendicular to the vertical centerline from the top portion to the bottom portion.

16 . The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of touch sensors are configured to detect, via at the least three sensors of the plurality of touch sensors, the user input, the user input being a horizontal swipe of the horizontal orientations that intersects a center of the plurality of touch sensors.

17 . The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless earbud.

18 . The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the wireless earbud is stemless.

19 . The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the first sensor has a first end, a second end, a first outer arc connecting the first end to the second end, a first inner arc connecting the first end to the second end, and a first horizontal centerline, the first sensor has a first variable width between the first outer arc and the first inner arc, the first variable width has a largest width at substantially the first horizontal centerline;

a second sensor has a third end, a fourth end, a second outer arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, a second inner arc connecting the third end to the fourth end, and a second horizontal centerline, the second sensor has a second variable width between the second outer arc and the second inner arc, the second variable width has a largest width at substantially the second horizontal centerline;

a third sensor positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, the third sensor has a fifth end, a sixth end, and a first length that extends from the fifth end to the sixth end, the fifth end proximate to the third end of the second sensor and the sixth end proximate to the fourth end of the second sensor;

a fourth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fourth sensor has a seventh end, an eighth end, and a second length that extends from the seventh end to the eighth end, the seventh end proximate to the first end of the first sensor and the eighth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline; and

a fifth sensor positioned between the first sensor and the third sensor, the fifth sensor has a ninth end, a tenth end, and a third length that extends from the ninth end to the tenth end, the tenth end proximate to the second end of the first sensor and the ninth end proximate to the first horizontal centerline.

20 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein three or more of the plurality of sensors include an arcuate side.