Tactile switch for an electronic device
An electronic watch includes an input device capable of receiving rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a crown positioned along an exterior of an enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The watch may include a tactile switch, and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs received at the crown. 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.
1. A watch comprising:
an enclosure having a sidewall and an opening in the sidewall;
a crown positioned along an exterior of the sidewall;
a shaft coupled to the crown and extending through the opening;
an optical sensor positioned within the enclosure and configured to detect a rotation of the shaft; and
a tactile switch positioned within the enclosure and configured to:
detect a depressed position of the shaft when the crown is pressed inward toward the enclosure; and
bias the shaft outward toward an undepressed position.
2. The watch of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display at least partially positioned within the enclosure; and
a touch sensor configured to detect a touch input received at the display.
3. The watch of claim 2 , wherein the display is configured to produce graphical outputs that are configured to change in response to each of:
the rotation of the shaft;
the depressed position of the shaft; and
the touch input of the display.
4. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor is configured to detect the rotation of the shaft using reflected light.
5. The watch of claim 1 , wherein:
the tactile switch includes a collapsible dome positioned at an end of the shaft; and
the collapsible dome is configured to provide a return force that biases the shaft outward toward the undepressed position.
6. The watch of claim 5 , wherein:
the collapsible dome is deformed by the shaft when the crown is pressed inward toward the enclosure;
the tactile switch is configured to produce a haptic output when the collapsible dome deforms; and
the haptic output is propagated through the crown.
7. The watch of claim 1 , wherein the crown and the shaft are integrally formed.
8. A watch comprising:
an enclosure having an opening;
a crown positioned along an exterior of the enclosure and configured to receive a rotation and an inward translation along an actuation direction;
a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the opening;
a spring coupled to the crown and configured to bias the crown outward in a return direction that is opposite to the actuation direction;
an optical sensor positioned within the enclosure and configured to detect at least one of the rotation or the inward translation; and
a processing unit positioned within the enclosure and configured to control a function of the watch in response to the rotation or the inward translation.
9. The watch of claim 8 , further comprising:
a tactile switch positioned at an end of the shaft and configured to detect the inward translation.
10. The watch of claim 9 , wherein:
the tactile switch comprises a collapsible dome; and
the shaft causes the collapsible dome to collapse in response to the inward translation and close electrical contacts of a switch.
11. The watch of claim 8 , wherein:
the opening is a first opening in a sidewall of the enclosure;
the enclosure has a second opening; and
the watch further comprises:
a display positioned at least partially within the second opening; and
a touch sensor configured to detect a touch input received at the display.
12. The watch of claim 11 , wherein:
the display is configured to depict icons; and
the icons move in response to the rotation.
13. The watch of claim 8 , wherein the crown defines a hollow portion configured to receive an electrical component of the watch.
14. The watch of claim 8 , wherein the optical sensor is positioned proximate an end of the shaft.
15. The watch of claim 8 , further comprising a shelf connected to the shaft and configured to limit an outward translation of the shaft along the return direction.
16. A watch comprising:
an enclosure having an opening;
a tactile switch assembly extending into the opening and configured to receive a rotational input and a translational input, the tactile switch assembly being biased toward an undepressed position;
a first sensor positioned within the enclosure and configured to detect the rotational input using reflected light; and
a second sensor positioned within the enclosure and configured to detect the translational input.
17. The watch of claim 16 , wherein:
the tactile switch assembly comprises:
a crown positioned along an exterior of the enclosure and configured to receive the rotational input and the translational input; and
a shaft connected to the crown and extending into the opening.
18. The watch of claim 17 , wherein the second sensor includes a collapsible dome positioned at an end of the shaft.
19. The watch of claim 17 , wherein the reflected light is reflected off a surface of the shaft.
20. The watch of claim 16 , wherein:
the watch further comprises a display positioned at least partially within the enclosure; and
the display is configured to:
display movement of a first group of graphical objects, in response to the rotational input; and
display a second group of graphical objects, in response to the translational input.