Electronic watch with side input button
A touch and force sensitive rocker switch or button array for a portable electronic device can include multiple dome switches or force sensors, as well as a capacitive sensing surface that can detect finger location and swipes. A cosmetic surface can cover the entire elongated switch/button and portions of device housing proximate the button, and can be configured to transfer each of multiple types of input there through to the button and also provide a seal to the device housing interior. The cosmetic surface can be a flexible polymer to allow local deformation, and/or the entire surface can tilt or bend to permit inputs to transfer there through. The elongated button/switch can be raised from a surface of the device, and can be located along a side of the device, with a front face of the device being a touchscreen, such as for a smart phone or watch.
1. An electronic watch, comprising:
a housing comprising a sidewall having an opening;
a display screen coupled with the housing, the display screen comprising a touch sensitive surface that defines a first user input; and
an elongated button positioned in the opening, the elongated button comprising:
a raised surface that is elevated with respect to the sidewall and establishes a first touchable surface, and
a detent that defines a sub-flush surface relative to the raised surface and establishes a second touchable surface,
wherein the elongated button defines a second user input different from the first user input.
2. The electronic watch of claim 1 , wherein the elongated button comprises an oblong shape.
3. The electronic watch of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first sensor covered by a first end of the elongated button; and
a second sensor covered by a second end of the elongated button, the second end different from the first end.
4. The electronic watch of claim 3 , further comprising a third sensor covered by the detent.
5. The electronic watch of claim 1 , further comprising a processor carried by the housing, wherein the elongated button is electrically coupled with the processor and configured to provide a first type output or a second type output based upon a device mode executed by the processor.
6. The electronic watch of claim 5 , wherein the first type output is different from the second type output.
7. An electronic watch, comprising:
a housing comprising a sidewall having an opening, the housing defining an internal volume that carries a wireless transceiver configured for wireless communication;
a display screen coupled with the housing;
an elongated button structure positioned in the opening, the elongated button structure configured to provide an input to alter visual information presented on the display screen; and
a detent formed in the elongated button structure, the detent defining a touch input location to the elongated button structure.
8. The electronic watch of claim 7 , wherein:
the elongated button structure comprises an upper surface, and
the detent comprises a sub-flush surface relative to the upper surface.
9. The electronic watch of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first sensor covered by a first end of the elongated button structure; and
a second sensor covered by a second end of the elongated button structure, the second end different from the first end.
10. The electronic watch of claim 9 , further comprising a third sensor covered by the detent.
11. The electronic watch of claim 9 , further comprising a processor electrically coupled to the display screen, the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein the elongated button structure is configured to provide a first type output or a second type output based upon a device mode executed by the processor.
12. The electronic watch of claim 11 , further comprising a second wireless transceiver electrically coupled to the processor.
13. The electronic watch of claim 7 , wherein the elongated button structure comprises an oblong shape.
14. An electronic watch, comprising:
a housing comprising a sidewall having an opening, the housing defining an internal volume that carries a wireless transceiver configured for wireless communication;
a processor located in the internal volume;
a display screen electrically coupled with the processor; and
an elongated button positioned in the opening and electrically coupled with the processor, the elongated button configured to provide a first type output or a second type output based upon a device mode executed by the processor, the elongated button comprising a body that includes:
a first surface, and
a second surface comprising a detent defining a sub-flush surface relative to the first surface, the second surface defining a touch input location to the elongated button.
15. The electronic watch of claim 14 , wherein the first type output is different from the second type output.
16. The electronic watch of claim 14 , wherein the wireless transceiver is electrically coupled to the processor.
17. The electronic watch of claim 14 , wherein the housing comprises a second opening for a strap.
18. The electronic watch of claim 14 , wherein the elongated button comprises an oblong shape.