PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11550268-B2
Application Number: US-202016890880-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Switch module for electronic crown assembly

Abstract:
A switch module for an electronic device detects translational inputs and defines at least portion of a conductive path from an input surface of the electronic device to a processing unit of the electronic device. The switch module may be a component of a crown assembly for detecting rotational inputs, translational inputs, touch inputs and/or biological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic watch comprising:
 an enclosure defining an interior volume and an opening into the interior volume; 
 a processing unit positioned within the interior volume; 
 a display operably coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide a graphical output; and 
 a crown assembly positioned at least partially within the interior volume, the crown assembly comprising:
 an actuation member extending through the opening and defining an input surface for sensing an input signal along an exterior of the electronic watch; 
 a rotation sensor positioned within the interior volume and configured to detect a rotational input at the crown assembly; and 
 a switch module positioned within the interior volume and comprising:
 a switch housing defining a recess; 
 a persistent electrical contact positioned in the recess and conductively coupled to the processing unit; 
 a switch electrical contact positioned in the recess and conductively coupled to the processing unit; and 
 a conductive dome positioned at least partially in the recess and conductively coupled to the actuation member, the conductive dome configured to transition from an uncollapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration in response to a translational input at the actuation member; wherein: 
 
 
 in the uncollapsed configuration and the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome contacts the persistent electrical contact to at least partially define a conductive path between the input surface and the processing unit; 
 in the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome contacts the switch electrical contact to register the translational input; and 
 the graphical output is responsive to the input signal, the rotational input, and the translational input. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic watch of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the switch module further comprises:
 a friction guard positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member and defining a portion of the conductive path between the input surface and the processing unit; 
 a first conductive member that conductively couples the persistent electrical contact to the processing unit; and 
 a second conductive member that conductively couples the switch electrical contact to the processing unit; 
 
 the switch housing further comprises:
 a base defining the recess; 
 a cover coupled to the base and extending around the actuation member; and 
 a bracket for coupling the switch module to the enclosure; 
 
 the first conductive member and the second conductive member are at least partially encapsulated within the base; 
 the switch electrical contact is positioned in a center region of the recess; and 
 the persistent electrical contact is positioned in a peripheral region of the recess that surrounds the center region. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic watch of  claim 2 , wherein the switch module further comprises:
 a reference electrical contact positioned in the peripheral region of the recess and contacting the conductive dome, the reference electrical contact configured to transmit a bias voltage for detecting the translational input or the input signal; and 
 a third conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and conductively coupling the reference electrical contact to the processing unit. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic watch of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the conductive dome defines:
 a first conductive route that defines an additional portion of the conductive path; and 
 a second conductive route that conductively couples the reference electrical contact and the switch electrical contact when the conductive dome is in the collapsed configuration; and 
 
 the first conductive route is electrically isolated from the second conductive route. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic watch of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to an inward force applied to the actuation member, the actuation member translates from an unactuated position to an actuated position, thereby collapsing the conductive dome. 
     
     
       6. The electronic watch of  claim 5 , wherein the conductive dome is configured to provide an outward biasing force to maintain the actuation member in the unactuated position absent the inward force. 
     
     
       7. The electronic watch of  claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises at least one of a touch input signal or a voltage signal for use in determining an electrocardiogram. 
     
     
       8. A switch module for a crown assembly for an electronic watch, comprising:
 a switch housing comprising:
 a base defining a recess; and 
 a bracket for coupling the switch module to a device enclosure; 
 
 a conductive dome positioned at least partially in the recess and defining a first portion of a conductive path between an actuation member and a processing unit, the conductive dome configured to transition from an uncollapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration in response to a translational input at the actuation member; 
 a friction guard contacting the conductive dome and configured to be positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member, the friction guard defining a second portion of the conductive path; 
 a persistent electrical contact positioned in the recess and contacting the conductive dome, the persistent electrical contact defining a third portion of the conductive path; 
 a first conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and defining a fourth portion of the conductive path; 
 a switch electrical contact positioned in the recess and configured to contact the conductive dome in the collapsed configuration to register the translational input; 
 a second conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and configured to conductively couple the switch electrical contact to the processing unit. 
 
     
     
       9. The switch module of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the switch electrical contact is positioned in a center region of the recess; 
 the switch electrical contact is configured to contact a center portion of the conductive dome; 
 the persistent electrical contact is positioned in a peripheral region of the recess that surrounds the center region; and 
 the persistent electrical contact is configured to contact a peripheral portion of the conductive dome that surrounds the center portion. 
 
     
     
       10. The switch module of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a reference electrical contact positioned in the peripheral region of the recess and contacting the conductive dome, the reference electrical contact configured to transmit a bias voltage for detecting the translational input; and 
 a third conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and configured to conductively couple the reference electrical contact to the processing unit. 
 
     
     
       11. The switch module of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the conductive dome defines:
 a first conductive route that defines the first portion of the conductive path; and 
 a second conductive route that conductively couples the reference electrical contact and the switch electrical contact when the conductive dome is in the collapsed configuration; and 
 
 the first conductive route is electrically isolated from the second conductive route. 
 
     
     
       12. The switch module of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive dome is configured to collapse in response to an inward force applied to the actuation member. 
     
     
       13. The switch module of  claim 12 , wherein the conductive dome is configured to provide an outward biasing force to maintain the actuation member in an unactuated position absent the inward force. 
     
     
       14. The switch module of  claim 8 , wherein the friction guard and the conductive dome are formed as a single component. 
     
     
       15. An electronic watch comprising:
 an enclosure defining an interior volume and an opening into the interior volume; 
 a processing unit positioned within the interior volume; and 
 a crown assembly positioned at least partially within the interior volume, the crown assembly comprising:
 an actuation member extending through the opening and defining an input surface for sensing an input signal along an exterior of the electronic watch; 
 a rotation sensor positioned within the interior volume and configured to detect a rotational input at the crown assembly; and 
 a switch module positioned within the interior volume and comprising:
 a switch housing defining a recess; 
 a conductive dome positioned in the recess and configured to collapse in response to a translational input at the crown assembly; and 
 a friction guard at least partially defining a conductive path between the input surface and the processing unit, the friction guard comprising:
 a support member attached to the switch housing; 
 a translating portion contacting the actuation member; and 
 a first flexure and a second flexure extending from the support member and at least partially surrounding the translating portion, the first flexure and the second flexure configured to allow the translating portion to move relative to the switch housing. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic watch of  claim 15 , wherein the first flexure and the second flexure are U-shaped. 
     
     
       17. The electronic watch of  claim 15 , wherein the first flexure and the second flexure are M-shaped. 
     
     
       18. The electronic watch of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the switch module further comprises a conductive member defining:
 a switch electrical contact configured to be contacted by the conductive dome when the conductive dome collapses; and 
 a persistent electrical contact contacting the friction guard and defining a portion of the conductive path. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic watch of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the switch housing comprises a base that defines the recess; and 
 the conductive member is at least partially encapsulated within the base. 
 
     
     
       20. The electronic watch of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the electronic watch further comprises a display operably coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide a graphical output; and 
 the graphical output is responsive to the input signal, the rotational input, and the translational input.

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments generally relate to a switch module for an electronic device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to a switch module routing an external signal and a switch signal for an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices frequently use physical input devices to facilitate user interaction. For example, buttons, keys, dials, and the like can be physically manipulated by users to control operations of the device. Physical input devices may use various types of sensing mechanisms to translate the physical manipulation to signals usable by the electronic device. For example, buttons and keys may use collapsible dome switches to detect presses, while dials and other rotating input devices may use encoders or resolvers to detect rotational movements. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the systems, devices, methods, and apparatuses described in the present disclosure are directed to a switch module for an electronic device. 
     One embodiment may take the form of an electronic watch that includes an enclosure, a processing unit, a display, and a crown assembly. The enclosure may define an interior volume and an opening into the interior volume. The processing unit may be positioned within the interior volume. The display may be operably coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide a graphical output. The crown assembly may be positioned at least partially within the interior volume, and may include an actuation member extending through the opening and defining a input surface for sensing an input signal along an exterior of the electronic watch. The crown assembly may further include a rotation sensor positioned within the interior volume and configured to detect a rotational input at the crown assembly. The crown assembly may further include a switch module positioned within the interior volume. The switch module may include a switch housing defining a recess, a persistent electrical contact positioned in the recess and conductively coupled to the processing unit, a switch electrical contact positioned in the recess and conductively coupled to the processing unit, and a conductive dome positioned at least partially in the recess and conductively coupled to the actuation member. The conductive dome may be configured to transition from an uncollapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration in response to a translational input at the actuation member. In the uncollapsed configuration and the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome may contact the persistent electrical contact to at least partially define a conductive path between the input surface and the processing unit. In the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome may contact the switch electrical contact to register the translational input. The graphical output may be responsive to the input signal, the rotational input, and the translational input. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of a switch module for a crown assembly for an electronic watch. The switch module may include a switch housing that includes a base defining a recess and a bracket for coupling the switch module to a device enclosure. The switch module may further include a conductive dome positioned at least partially in the recess and defining a first portion of a conductive path between an actuation member and a processing unit. The conductive dome may be configured to transition from an uncollapsed configuration to a collapsed configuration in response to a translational input at the actuation member. The switch module may further include a friction guard contacting the conductive dome and configured to be positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member. The friction guard may define a second portion of the conductive path. The switch module may further include a persistent electrical contact positioned in the recess and contacting the conductive dome, the persistent electrical contact defining a third portion of the conductive path. The switch module may further include a first conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and defining a fourth portion of the conductive path. The switch module may further include a switch electrical contact positioned in the recess and configured to contact the conductive dome in the collapsed configuration to register the translational input. The switch module may further include a second conductive member at least partially encapsulated within the base and configured to conductively couple the switch electrical contact to the processing unit. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of an electronic watch that includes an enclosure, a processing unit, and a crown assembly. The enclosure may define an interior volume and an opening into the interior volume. The processing unit may be positioned within the interior volume. The crown assembly may be positioned at least partially within the interior volume, and may include an actuation member extending through the opening and defining a input surface for sensing an input signal along an exterior of the electronic watch. The crown assembly may further include a rotation sensor positioned within the interior volume and configured to detect a rotational input at the crown assembly. The crown assembly may further include a switch module positioned within the interior volume. The switch module may include a switch housing defining a recess, a conductive dome positioned in the recess and configured to collapse in response to a translational input at the crown assembly, and a friction guard at least partially defining a conductive path between the input surface and the processing unit. The friction guard may include a support member attached to the switch housing, a translating portion contacting the actuation member, and a first flexure and a second flexure extending from the support member and at least partially surrounding the translating portion, the first flexure and the second flexure configured to allow the translating portion to move relative to the switch housing. 
     In addition to the example aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a functional block diagram of an electronic device; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  show an example of a watch that incorporates a switch module as described herein; 
         FIG.  3 A- 3 F  show an example switch module for an electronic device; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  show an example switch module for an electronic device; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  show an example switch module for an electronic device; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  show an example switch module for an electronic device; and 
         FIG.  7    shows a sample electrical block diagram of an electronic device that may incorporate a switch module. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to electronic devices, and in particular to a switch module for a crown assembly that receives rotational inputs and translational inputs, and includes an actuation member defining an input surface for receiving sensor inputs, such as touch inputs, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, and the like. The switch module may provide at least a portion of a conductive path from the input surface of the crown assembly to a processing unit or other circuitry of the electronic device. The conductive path may be electrically isolated from one or more additional components of the crown assembly and/or the electronic device, and may allow signals from to be transmitted between the input surface and the processing unit. 
     The switch module may include a conductive dome and a friction guard that is positioned between the conductive dome and the actuation member of the crown assembly. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may define at least a portion of the conductive path from the input surface to the processing unit. 
     The conductive dome may collapse in response to a translational input moving the actuation member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The conductive dome and/or the friction guard may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member in the unactuated position absent an inward force on the actuation member. The outward biasing force may be a spring force exerted by the conductive dome and/or the friction guard on the actuation member. A translational input may be provided to the crown assembly in the form of an inward force that overcomes the outward biasing force and causes the actuation member to translate inward to an actuated position. When the inward force is removed or reduced, the outward biasing force may cause the actuation member to return to the unactuated position. 
     When the actuation member is in the unactuated position, the conductive dome is in an uncollapsed configuration. When the actuation member is in the actuated position, the conductive dome is in a collapsed configuration. In the uncollapsed configuration and/or the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome may contact a first electrical contact that is conductively coupled to the processing unit, thereby facilitating transmission of signals between the input surface and the processing unit. In the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome may contact a second electrical contact, which may close a circuit to register the translational input. In the uncollapsed configuration and/or the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome may contact a reference electrical contact that provides a bias voltage for detecting translational inputs and/or input signals at the input surface. When the conductive dome contacts the second electrical contact, it may close a circuit that includes the reference electrical contact, which, in turn, may register a translational input. 
     The conductive dome may define one or more conductive routes that are electrically isolated from one another. The conductive dome may include vias or other structural elements for defining the isolated conductive routes. The conductive dome may define a first conductive path between a friction guard and the first electrode for transmitting signals between the sensor and the processing unit. The conductive dome may define a second conductive path between the second electrical contact and the reference electrical contact for detecting translational inputs. The first and second conductive paths may be electrically isolated from one another to prevent signal interference. 
     In embodiments in which the friction guard provides at least a portion of the outward biasing force, the friction guard may include a translating portion and one or more flexures that allow the translating portion to move. The friction guard may act as a spring, with the flexures exerting a reaction force on the translating portion (and therefore on the actuation member) that is dependent on the position of the translating portion. The spring dynamics of the friction guard may be defined by the material properties, the thickness, and the length of the flexures. 
     The switch module may include a switch housing that at least partially surrounds one or more components of the switch module. The housing may define a recess in which the conductive dome, the friction guard, and/or one or more of the electrical contacts are positioned. The switch housing may include a bracket or other fastening component for coupling the switch module to the enclosure or one or more other components of the electronic watch. In some cases, the electrical contacts may be at least partially encapsulated within the switch housing. As used herein, “encapsulated” may refer to a component that is contacted by and partially or completely surrounded by another component. For example, the electrical contacts may be encapsulated within a base of the switch housing by injection molding. 
     The term “attached,” as used herein, may refer to two or more elements, structures, objects, components, parts or the like that are physically affixed, fastened, and/or retained to one another. The term “coupled,” as used herein, may refer to two or more elements, structures, objects, components, parts or the like that are physically attached to one another, operate with one another, communicate with one another, are in electrical connection with one another, and/or otherwise interact with one another. Accordingly, while elements attached to one another are coupled to one another, the reverse is not required. As used herein, “operably coupled” or “electrically coupled” may refer to two or more devices that are coupled in any suitable manner for operation and/or communication, including wiredly, wirelessly, or some combination thereof. As used herein, “conductively coupled” may refer to two or more elements, structures, objects, components, parts or the like that are coupled in any suitable manner for facilitating the transmission of electrical current therebetween. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 7   . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG.  1    is a functional block diagram of an electronic device  100 . In some examples, the device  100  may be an electronic watch or electronic health monitoring device. The electronic device  100  may include a device enclosure  102  that defines an interior volume  106  of the device. The device may include a crown assembly  110 , a processing unit  120 , a display  122 , one or more input devices  124 , and one or more output devices  126  positioned at least partially within the interior volume. Each of the components of the electronic device  100  may be operably coupled to the processing unit  120 , for example via connectors  128   a - e.    
     In some cases, the electronic device  100  includes a crown assembly  110  configured to receive translational inputs, rotational inputs, touch inputs and/or biometric signals. Inputs received at the crown assembly  110  may result in changes in outputs provided by the electronic device  100 , such as a graphical output of the display  122 , and/or otherwise modify operations of the electronic device. In some cases, the crown assembly  110  may be positioned along a side of the enclosure  102 , and may extend through an opening  104  defined in the enclosure and into the interior volume  106 . 
     The crown assembly  110  may include an actuation member  112  that may be translated (e.g., by a user) to provide translational inputs, rotated to provide rotational inputs, and touched to provide touch inputs and/or biometric signals. The crown assembly  110  may include a switch module  116  that is used to detect translational inputs to the crown assembly. The switch module  116  may also define at least a part of a conductive path between the actuation member  112  and the processing unit  120 . This may facilitate the transmission of touch inputs and/or biometric signals from the actuation member  112  to the processing unit  120 . 
     The actuation member  112  may include a crown body  112   a  positioned at least partially outside the enclosure  102  and a crown shaft  112   b  extending through the opening  104  and positioned at least partially within the enclosure  102 . As shown, the crown body  112   a  and the crown shaft  112   b  may be formed as a unitary structure, though other actuation members may have different components and/or configurations, and may be defined by several different components that are attached together. The actuation member  112  may be formed from or include a conductive material (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, conductive polymer, conductive ceramics, or the like). 
     The actuation member  112  may define a input surface  114  that users can touch to provide touch inputs or biological signals to the electronic device  100 . The actuation member  112  and the switch module  116  may form at least a portion of a conductive path  130  between the input surface  114  and the processing unit  120 . This may facilitate the transmission of input signals from the input surface  114  to the processing unit  120 . The input surface  114  may be an electrically conductive surface. The electrical conductivity of the input surface  114  may facilitate a conductive path (e.g., conductive path  130 ) from a user&#39;s finger in contact with the input surface to other components of the electronic device. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the crown assembly  110  may include one or more sensing elements for detecting touch inputs and/or biological signals. Example sensing elements include capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. The actuation member  112  and/or the switch module  116  may define at least a portion of a conductive path between the sensing element(s) and the processing unit  120 . 
     The input surface  114  may function as an electrode to sense input signals, which may include voltages or signals indicative of one or more touch inputs and/or biological parameters of a user in contact with the conductive surface. The enclosure  102  may define another touch-sensitive or conductive surface that is electrically coupled to the processing unit  120  and also functions as an electrode. The processing unit  120  may determine an electrocardiogram using outputs of the electrodes of the input surface  114  and the enclosure  102 . In various embodiments, the crown assembly  110  is electrically isolated from the enclosure  102 . This may prevent or mitigate signal interference between the electrodes, for example to allow separate measurements at each electrode. 
     The crown assembly  110  may include a rotation sensor  118  positioned within the interior volume  106  for detecting rotation of the actuation member  112 . The rotation sensor  118  may include one or more light emitters and/or light detectors. The light emitter(s) may illuminate an encoder pattern or other rotating portion of the actuation member  112 . The encoder pattern may be carried on (e.g., formed on, printed on, etc.) the crown shaft  112   b  or another component of the actuation member  112 . The light detector(s) may receive light emitted by the light emitter(s) and reflected from the actuation member  112 . The light detector(s) may be operably coupled to the processing unit  120 , which may determine a direction of rotation, speed of rotation, angular position, translation, or other state(s) of the actuation member  112 . In some embodiments, the rotation sensor  118  may detect rotation of the actuation member  112  by detecting rotation of the crown shaft  112   b . The rotation sensor  118  may be electrically coupled to the processing unit  120  of the electronic device by a connector  128   b.    
     As discussed above, the display  122  may be disposed at least partially within the enclosure  102 . The display  122  provides a graphical output, for example associated with an operating system, user interface, and/or applications of the electronic device  100 . In one embodiment, the display  122  includes one or more sensors and is configured as a touch-sensitive (e.g., single-touch, multi-touch) and/or force-sensitive display to receive inputs from a user. The display  122  is operably coupled to the processing unit  120  of the electronic device  100 , for example by a connector  128   c.    
     A graphical output of the display  122  may be responsive to inputs provided at the crown assembly  110 , the display  122 , and/or another input device  124 . For example, the processing unit  120  may be configured to modify the graphical output of the display  122  in response to determining an electrocardiogram, receiving rotational inputs, receiving translational inputs, or receiving touch inputs. The display  122  can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. In some cases, the display  122  is positioned beneath and viewable through a cover sheet that forms at least a portion of the enclosure  102 . 
     Broadly, the input devices  124  may detect various types of input, and the output devices  126  may provide various types of output. The processing unit  120  may receive input signals from the input devices  124  in response to inputs detected by the input devices. The processing unit  120  may interpret input signals received from one or more of the input devices  124  and transmit output signals to one or more of the output devices  126 . The output signals may cause the output devices  126  to provide one or more outputs. Detected input at one or more of the input devices  124  may be used to control one or more functions of the device  100 . In some cases, one or more of the output devices  126  may be configured to provide outputs that are dependent on, or manipulated in response to, the input detected by one or more of the input devices  124 . The outputs provided by one or more of the output devices  126  may also be responsive to, or initiated by, a program or application executed by the processing unit  120  and/or an associated companion device. 
     In various embodiments, the input devices  124  may include any suitable components for detecting inputs. Examples of input devices  124  include audio sensors (e.g., microphones), optical or visual sensors (e.g., cameras, visible light sensors, or invisible light sensors), proximity sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, mechanical devices (e.g., crown assemblies, switches, buttons, or keys), vibration sensors, orientation sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers or velocity sensors), location sensors (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) devices), thermal sensors, communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), resistive sensors, magnetic sensors, electroactive polymers (EAPs), strain gauges, electrodes, and so on, or some combination thereof. Each input device  124  may be configured to detect one or more particular types of input and provide a signal (e.g., an input signal) corresponding to the detected input. The signal may be provided, for example, to the processing unit  120 . 
     In some cases, the input devices  124  include set of one or more electrodes. An electrode may be a conductive portion of the device  100  that contacts or is configured to be in contact with a user. The electrodes may be disposed on one or more exterior surfaces of the device  100 , including a surface of the crown assembly  110 , the enclosure  102 , and the like. The processing unit  120  may monitor for voltages or signals received on at least one of the electrodes. In some embodiments, one of the electrodes may be permanently or switchably coupled to a device ground. The electrodes may be used to provide an electrocardiogram (ECG) function for the device  100 . For example, a 2-lead ECG function may be provided when a user of the device  100  contacts first and second electrodes that receive signals from the user. As another example, a 3-lead ECG function may be provided when a user of the device  100  contacts first and second electrodes that receive signals from the user, and a third electrode that grounds the user to the device  100 . In both the 2-lead and 3-lead ECG embodiments, the user may press the first electrode against a first part of their body and press the second electrode against a second part of their body. The third electrode may be pressed against the first or second body part, depending on where it is located on the device  100 . In some cases, the enclosure  102  of the device  100  may function as an electrode. In some cases, input devices, such as buttons, crowns, and the like, may function as an electrode. 
     The output devices  126  may include any suitable components for providing outputs. Examples of output devices  126  include audio output devices (e.g., speakers), visual output devices (e.g., lights or displays), tactile output devices (e.g., haptic output devices), communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), and so on, or some combination thereof. Each output device  126  may be configured to receive one or more signals (e.g., an output signal provided by the processing unit  120 ) and provide an output corresponding to the signal. 
     The processing unit  120  may be operably coupled to the input devices  124  and the output devices  126 , for example by connectors  128   d  and  128   e . The processing unit  120  may be adapted to exchange signals with the input devices  124  and the output devices  126 . For example, the processing unit  120  may receive an input signal from an input device  124  that corresponds to an input detected by the input device. The processing unit  120  may interpret the received input signal to determine whether to provide and/or change one or more outputs in response to the input signal. The processing unit  120  may then send an output signal to one or more of the output devices  126 , to provide and/or change outputs as appropriate. Example processing units are discussed below with respect to  FIG.  7   . 
       FIG.  2 A  shows an example of a watch  200  (e.g., an electronic watch or smart watch) that incorporates a switch module as described herein. The watch  200  may include a watch body  231  and a watch band  232 . Other devices that may incorporate a crown assembly include other wearable electronic devices, other timekeeping devices, other health monitoring or fitness devices, other portable computing devices, mobile phones (including smart phones), tablet computing devices, digital media players, or the like. The watch  200  may have similar components, structure, and/or functionality as the device  100  described with respect to  FIG.  1   . 
     The watch body  231  may include an enclosure  202 . The enclosure  202  may include a front side enclosure member that faces away from a user&#39;s skin when the watch  200  is worn by a user, and a back side enclosure member that faces toward the user&#39;s skin. Alternatively, the enclosure  202  may include a singular enclosure member, or more than two enclosure members. The one or more enclosure members may be metallic, plastic, ceramic, glass, or other types of enclosure members (or combinations of such materials). 
     The enclosure  202  may include a cover sheet  234  mounted to a front side of the watch body  231  (i.e., facing away from a user&#39;s skin) and may protect a display  222  mounted within the enclosure  102 . The display  222  may produce graphical output that may be viewable by a user through the cover sheet  234 . In some cases, the cover sheet  234  may be part of a display stack, which display stack may include a touch sensing or force sensing capability. The display may be configured to depict a graphical output of the watch  200 , and a user may interact with the graphical output (e.g., using a finger, stylus, or other pointer). As one example, the user may select (or otherwise interact with) a graphic, icon, or the like presented on the display by touching or pressing (e.g., providing touch input) on the cover sheet  234  at the location of the graphic. As used herein, the term “cover sheet” may be used to refer to any transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent surface made out of glass, a crystalline material (such as sapphire or zirconia), plastic, or the like. Thus, it should be appreciated that the term “cover sheet,” as used herein, encompasses amorphous solids as well as crystalline solids. The cover sheet  234  may form a part of the enclosure  202 . In some examples, the cover sheet  234  may be a sapphire cover sheet. The cover sheet  234  may also be formed of glass, plastic, or other materials. 
     In some embodiments, the watch body  231  may include an additional cover sheet (not shown) that forms a part of the enclosure  202 . The additional cover sheet may have one or more electrodes thereon. For example, the watch body  231  may include an additional cover sheet mounted to a back side of the watch body  231  (i.e., facing toward a user&#39;s skin). The one or more electrodes on the additional cover sheet may be used to determine a biological parameter, such as a heart rate, an electrocardiogram, or the like. In some cases, the electrodes are used in combination with one or more additional electrodes, such as a surface of a crown assembly or other input device. 
     The watch body  231  may include at least one input device or selection device, such as a crown assembly, scroll wheel, knob, dial, button, or the like, which input device may be operated by a user of the watch  200 . In some embodiments, the watch  200  includes a crown assembly  210  that includes an actuation member  212 . The enclosure  202  may define an opening through which the actuation member  212  extends. The actuation member  212  may be accessible to a user exterior to the enclosure  202 . The actuation member  212  may be user-rotatable, and may be manipulated (e.g., rotated, pressed) by a user. The actuation member  212  may be mechanically, electrically, magnetically, and/or optically coupled to components within the enclosure  202 , as one example. A user&#39;s manipulation of the actuation member  212  may be used, in turn, to manipulate or select various elements displayed on the display, to adjust a volume of a speaker, to turn the watch  200  on or off, and so on. 
     The enclosure  202  may also include an opening through which a button  236  protrudes. The button  236  may be used to provide inputs to the watch  200 . In some embodiments, the actuation member  212 , scroll wheel, knob, dial, button  236 , or the like may be touch sensitive, conductive, and/or have a conductive surface, and a signal route may be provided between the conductive portion of the actuation member  212 , scroll wheel, knob, dial, button  236 , or the like and a circuit within the watch body  231 , such as a processing unit. 
     The enclosure  202  may include structures for attaching the watch band  232  to the watch body  231 . In some cases, the structures may include elongate recesses or openings through which ends of the watch band  232  may be inserted and attached to the watch body  231 . In other cases (not shown), the structures may include indents (e.g., dimples or depressions) in the enclosure  202 , which indents may receive ends of spring pins that are attached to or threaded through ends of a watch band to attach the watch band to the watch body. The watch band  232  may be used to secure the watch  200  to a user, another device, a retaining mechanism, and so on. 
     In some examples, the watch  200  may lack any or all of the cover sheet  234 , the display  222 , the crown assembly  210 , or the button  236 . For example, the watch  200  may include an audio input or output interface, a touch input interface, a force input or haptic output interface, or other input or output interface that does not require the display, crown assembly  210 , or button  236 . The watch  200  may also include the aforementioned input or output interfaces in addition to the display  222 , crown assembly  210 , or button  236 . When the watch  200  lacks the display, the front side of the watch  200  may be covered by the cover sheet  234 , or by a metallic or other type of enclosure member. 
       FIG.  2 B  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the example watch  200 , taken through section line A-A of  FIG.  2 A . The crown assembly  210  may extend through an opening  204  in the enclosure  202 . The actuation member  212  may include a crown body  212   a  positioned at least partially outside the enclosure  202  and a crown shaft  212   b  extending through the opening  204  and positioned at least partially within the enclosure  202 . As shown, the crown body  212   a  and the crown shaft  212   b  may be formed as a unitary structure, though other actuation members may have different components and/or configurations, and may be defined by several different components that are attached together. The actuation member  212  may be formed from or include a conductive material (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, conductive polymer, conductive ceramics, or the like). 
     The crown assembly  210  may include a switch module  216  that is used to detect translational inputs to the crown assembly. The actuation member  212  may define a input surface  214  that users can touch to provide touch inputs or biological signals to the watch  200 . The actuation member  212  and the switch module  216  may form at least a portion of a conductive path  230  between the input surface  214  and the processing unit  220 . This may facilitate the transmission of inputs and/or signals from the input surface  214  to the processing unit  220 . The input surface  214  may be an electrically conductive surface. The electrical conductivity of the input surface  214  may facilitate a conductive path (e.g., conductive path  230 ) from a user&#39;s finger in contact with the input surface to other components of the electronic device. 
     The switch module  216  may include a conductive dome  240  and a friction guard  250  that is positioned between the conductive dome  240  and the actuation member  212  of the crown assembly  210 . The conductive dome  240  and/or the friction guard  250  may define at least a portion of the conductive path  230  from the input surface  214  to the processing unit  220 . 
     The conductive dome  240  and/or the friction guard  250  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member in an unactuated position shown in  FIG.  2 B  absent an inward force on the actuation member. The outward biasing force may include a spring force exerted by the conductive dome  240  and/or the friction guard  250  on the actuation member  212 . 
     As noted herein, the crown assembly  210  may receive translational inputs that cause the actuation member  212  to translate inward from the unactuated position to an actuated position.  FIG.  2 C  depicts the actuation member  212  of the crown assembly  210  in the actuated position in response to a translational input on the actuation member  212 . A translational input may be provided to the crown assembly  210  in the form of an inward force F that overcomes the outward biasing force provided by the conductive dome  240  and/or the friction guard  250  and causes the actuation member  212  to translate inward to the actuated position shown in  FIG.  2 C . When the inward force F is removed or reduced, the outward biasing force may cause the actuation member  212  to return to the unactuated position shown in  FIG.  2 B . 
     The conductive dome  240  may collapse in response to the translational input moving the actuation member  212  from the unactuated position to the actuated position. As shown in  FIG.  2 B , when the actuation member  212  is in the unactuated position, the conductive dome  240  is in an uncollapsed configuration. As shown in  FIG.  2 C , when the actuation member  212  is in the actuated position, the conductive dome  240  is in a collapsed configuration. 
     At least a portion of the conductive dome  240  may be conductively coupled to a persistent electrical contact  260  that forms at least a portion of the conductive path  230  from the input surface  214  to the processing unit  220 . The persistent electrical contact  260  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  220 , for example by a connector  228   a , to facilitate transmission of signals between the input surface  214  and the processing unit. The conductive dome  240  may be in direct contact with the persistent electrical contact  260 . The conductive dome  240  may contact the persistent electrical contact  260  while the conductive dome is in the uncollapsed configuration, the collapsed configuration, and positions therebetween so that the conductive coupling between the input surface  214  and the processing unit  220  may be maintained regardless of the position of the actuation member  212 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2 C , in the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome  240  may contact a switch electrical contact  262 . The conductive dome  240  contacting the switch electrical contact  262  may conductively couple at least a portion of the conductive dome  240  to the switch electrical contact  262 , which may close a circuit to register a translational input. The circuit may include and/or be operably coupled to the processing unit  220 , for example via a connector  228   b.    
     In the uncollapsed configuration and/or the collapsed configuration, the conductive dome  240  may contact a reference electrical contact  264  that provides a bias voltage for detecting translational inputs and/or input signals at the input surface  214 . The reference electrical contact  264  may be operably coupled to the processing unit  220 , for example by a connector  228   c . The conductive dome  240  contacting the switch electrical contact  262  may close a circuit that includes the reference electrical contact  264 , which may register a translational input. The circuit may include and/or be operably coupled to the processing unit  220 , for example via connectors  228   b  and  228   c.    
     The conductive dome  240  may be a unitary piece of conductive material that is able to collapse and return to an uncollapsed configuration thereafter. The conductive dome  240  may include multiple pieces, such as layers. In some cases, the conductive dome  240  is substantially homogeneous, meaning it has consistent materials throughout its entire volume. The conductive dome  240  may be formed of any suitable conductive material or combination of materials (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, conductive polymer, conductive ceramics, or the like). 
     The conductive dome  240  may define one or more conductive routes that are electrically isolated from one another. The conductive dome  240  may include vias or other structural elements for defining the isolated conductive routes. The conductive dome  240  may define a first conductive route between the friction guard  250  and the persistent electrical contact  260  that forms at least a portion of the conductive path  230 . The conductive dome  240  may define a second conductive route between the switch electrical contact  262  and the reference electrical contact  264  that forms a part of the circuit for detecting translational inputs. The first and second conductive routes may be electrically isolated from one another to prevent signal interference. In some cases, the conductive dome  240  does not define separate conductive routes. That is to say, the conductive route between the friction guard  250  and the persistent electrical contact  260  that forms at least a portion of the conductive path  230  is not electrically isolated from the conductive route between the switch electrical contact  262  and the reference electrical contact  264  that forms a part of the circuit for detecting translational inputs. 
     The friction guard  250  may be positioned between the actuation member  212  and the conductive dome  240 , and may protect the conductive dome  240  or other components of the switch module  216  from damage resulting from contacting the actuation member  212 . For example, the friction guard  250  may protect the conductive dome  240  from shearing forces resulting from rotation of the actuation member  212 . As noted herein, the friction guard  250  may form part of the conductive path  230 . The friction guard  250  may be formed of any suitable conductive material or combination of materials (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, conductive polymer, conductive ceramics, or the like). In some cases, the friction guard  250  may be omitted or integrated with the conductive dome  240 . 
     As noted herein, the conductive dome  240  and/or the friction guard  250  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member in an unactuated position shown in  FIG.  2 B . In embodiments in which the friction guard  250  provides at least a portion of the outward biasing force, the friction guard may include one or more flexures that provide the outward biasing force. As described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS.  4 A- 5 C , the friction guard  250  may maintain a gap between the friction guard and the conductive dome  240  when the actuation member  212  is in the unactuated position and/or for at least a portion of the transition to the actuated position such that the friction guard  250  provides the outward biasing force. During the transition from the unactuated position to the actuated position, the friction guard  250  may come into contact with the conductive dome  240  or otherwise cause the force exerted on the actuation member  212  to be transferred to the conductive dome  240 , thereby causing the dome to collapse. 
     The switch module  216  may include a switch housing  270  that at least partially surrounds one or more components of the switch module  216 . The housing  270  may define a recess  272  in which the conductive dome  240 , the friction guard  250 , and/or one or more of the electrical contacts  260 ,  262 ,  264  are positioned. The switch housing  270  may include a bracket or other fastening component for coupling the switch module  216  to the enclosure  202  or one or more other components of the electronic watch  200 . In some cases, the electrical contacts  260 ,  262 ,  264  may be encapsulated within the switch housing  270 . For example, the electrical contacts may be formed as part of a base of the switch housing  270  by injection molding. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2 B , the crown assembly  210  may include a rotation sensor  218  positioned along a side of the crown shaft  212   b  or at another suitable location. The rotation sensor  218  may have similar structure or functionality as the rotation sensors discussed herein (e.g., rotation sensor  118 ). The processing unit  220  may have similar structure or functionality as the processing units discussed herein (e.g., processing unit  120  of  FIG.  1   ). 
       FIG.  3 A  shows an example switch module  316  for an electronic device. The switch module  316  may be part of a crown assembly (e.g., crown assembly  110 ,  210 ) for an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  100 ,  200 ). The switch module  316  may include a housing  370  that defines an opening  375  through which an actuation member  312  may partially extend. The switch module  316  may detect movement of the actuation member  312  to detect translational inputs, and the switch module may define at least a portion of a conductive path between the actuation member  312  and a processing unit. 
       FIG.  3 B  shows an exploded view of the example switch module  316 . As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the switch module  316  includes a conductive dome  340  and friction guard  350  that are positioned at least partially within a switch housing formed by a cover  374  and a base  376 . The cover  374  may be coupled to the base  376 . The base  376  may define a recess  372  in which a persistent electrical contact  360 , a switch electrical contact  362 , and a reference electrical contact  364  are located. The conductive dome  340  may be positioned in the recess  372 . Each electrical contact  360 ,  362 ,  364  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member (e.g., conductive members  363 ,  365 ) that may contact a connector when the switch module  316  is installed in the electronic watch to conductively couple the respective electrodes to a processing unit or other circuitry. The switch electrical contact  362  may be positioned in a center region of the recess  372 . The persistent electrical contact  360  and/or the reference electrical contact  364  may be positioned in a peripheral region of the recess  372  that surrounds the central region. The switch electrical contact  362  may contact a center portion of the conductive dome  340  when the conductive dome collapses. The persistent electrical contact  360  may contact a peripheral portion of the conductive dome  340  that surrounds the center portion. 
     The cover  374  and the base  376  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics and the like. In some cases, the cover  374  is formed of a non-conductive material, such as a polymer, to electrically isolate the actuation member  312 , the friction guard  350 , and or the conductive dome  340  from other components of the switch module  316  or the electronic device. The base  376  may include a non-conductive material, such as a polymer, surrounding conductive material, such as metal, that forms the electrical contacts  360 ,  362 ,  364 , and/or the conductive members  363 ,  365 . In some cases, the electrical contacts  360 ,  362 ,  364 , and/or the conductive members  363 ,  365  are encapsulated within the base  376 , for example by injection molding. 
     The switch housing  370  may include a bracket  378  for attaching the switch module  316  to the electronic watch. The bracket  378  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics and the like. In some cases, the bracket  378  includes one or more metals, and the base  376  is attached to the bracket by molding the base around the bracket. 
     The cover  374  may define an opening  375  that the actuation member  312  may extend at least partially through. The cover  374  may extend around the actuation member  312 . The cover  374  may retain the conductive dome  340  and/or the friction guard  350  within the recess  372 . The friction guard  350  may be aligned with the opening such that the actuation member  312  contacts the friction guard. The friction guard  350  may include a recess  352  for receiving the actuation member  312  and preventing lateral movement of the actuation member. 
       FIGS.  3 C and  3 D  are example cross-section views of the switch module  316 , taken through section line B-B of  FIG.  3 A .  FIG.  3 C  shows the actuation member  312  in an unactuated position and the conductive dome  340  in an uncollapsed configuration.  FIG.  3 D  shows the actuation member  312  in an actuated position and the conductive dome  340  in a collapsed configuration, for example in response to a force applied to the actuation member  312 . The conductive dome  340  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member  312  in the unactuated position absent an inward force on the actuation member. 
     As noted herein, the friction guard  350  and the conductive dome  340  may define at least a portion of a conductive path  330  from an input surface of the actuation member  312  to a processing unit  320  of the electronic device. The persistent electrical contact  360  may also define a portion of the conductive path  330  between the input surface of the actuation member  312  and the processing unit  320 . As shown in  FIG.  3 C  and  FIG.  3 D , the conductive dome  340  contacts the persistent electrical contact  360  in the uncollapsed configuration and the collapsed configuration, such that the conductive path  330  is maintained whether the actuation member  312  is in the unactuated position or the actuated position. The persistent electrical contact  360  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  361  that extends through the base  376 . The conductive member  361  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  320 , for example by a connector  328   a . As noted above, the persistent electrical contact  360  and/or the conductive member  361  may be encapsulated within the base  376 , for example by injection molding. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 C , when the actuation member  312  is in the unactuated position, the conductive dome  340  is in the uncollapsed configuration and the conductive dome does not contact the switch electrical contact  362 . As shown in  FIG.  3 D , when the actuation member  312  is in the actuated position, for example in response to an inward force applied to the actuation member  312 , the conductive dome  340  is in the collapsed configuration and contacts the switch electrical contact  362 , which may close a circuit that includes the switch electrical contact  362  and the reference electrical contact  364  to register a translational input. The switch electrical contact  362  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  363  that extends through the base  376 . The conductive member  363  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  320 , for example by a connector  328   b . The reference electrical contact  364  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  365  that extends through the base  376 . The conductive member  365  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  320 , for example by a connector  328   c.    
       FIGS.  3 E and  3 F  are example cross-section views of the switch module  316 , taken through section line C-C of  FIG.  3 A .  FIG.  3 E  shows the actuation member  312  in the unactuated position and the conductive dome  340  in the uncollapsed configuration.  FIG.  3 F  shows the actuation member  312  in the actuated position and the conductive dome  340  in the collapsed configuration, for example in response to a force applied to the actuation member  312 . As shown in  FIG.  3 E , when the actuation member  312  is in the unactuated position, the conductive dome  340  is in the uncollapsed configuration and the conductive dome does not contact the switch electrical contact  362 . As shown in  FIG.  3 F , when the actuation member  312  is in the actuated position, for example in response to an inward force applied to the actuation member  312 , the conductive dome  340  is in the collapsed configuration and contacts the switch electrical contact  362  to register a translational input. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  show an example switch module  416  for an electronic device. The switch module  416  may be part of a crown assembly (e.g., crown assembly  110 ,  210 ) for an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  100 ,  200 ).  FIG.  4 A  shows an exploded view of the switch module  416 . 
     The switch module  416  may include a friction guard  450 . As noted herein, the friction guard  450  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member in an unactuated position. The friction guard  450  may include a translating portion  458  and one or more flexures  454  that allow the translating portion  458  to move relative to the switch housing. The friction guard  450  may be attached to the base  476  via a support member  456 . The flexures  454  may extend from the support member  456  and at least partially surround the translating portion  458  of the friction guard  450 . The translating portion  458  may be adapted to receive the actuation member  412 . The actuation member  412  may contact the translating portion  458 , and the translating portion may translate relative to the support member  456  and the base  476  to allow translation of the actuation member. The friction guard  450  may act as a spring, with the flexures  454  exerting a reaction force on the translating portion  458  (and therefore on the actuation member  412 ) that is dependent on the position of the translating portion. The spring dynamics of the friction guard  450  may be defined by the material properties, the thickness, and the length of the flexures  454 . In some cases, as shown in  FIG.  4 A , the flexures  454  may be M-shaped flexures. This may allow the flexures to have a sufficient length to provide a desired outward biasing force while minimizing or reducing the size of the friction guard  450 . Minimizing or reducing the size of the friction guard may reduce the size of the switch module  416 , which may reduce a size of a device that the switch module is installed in. 
     As described herein, the friction guard  450  may define at least a portion of a conductive path from the actuation member  412  to a processing unit. In some cases, the flexures  454  may define a portion of the conductive path. For example, the actuation member  412  may contact the translating portion  458  of the friction guard, and a conductive path may extend from the translating portion  458 , through one or both flexures  454 , and through the support member  456  to a conductive member  460  extending from the support member  456 . The conductive member  460  may be conductively coupled to a connector that is conductively coupled to a processing unit or another circuit of the electronic device. 
     The switch module  416  may include a housing  470  that includes a base  476  and a bracket  478  for attaching the switch module  416  to the electronic device. The base  476  may define a recess  472 , and a conductive dome  440  may be positioned in the recess. A switch electrical contact  462  and a reference electrical contact  464  for detecting translational inputs may be positioned at least partially in the recess  472 . Each electrical contact  462 ,  464  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  463 ,  465  that may contact a connector when the switch module  416  is installed in the electronic watch to conductively couple the respective electrical contacts to a processing unit or other circuitry. 
     The housing  470  may include a flexible cover  480  attached to the base using an adhesive  484  (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive or heat-sensitive adhesive). The flexible cover  480  and/or a spacer  482  may electrically isolate the friction guard  450  and the conductive dome  440  so that signals related to sensing translational inputs at the conductive dome  440  do not interfere with signals from the actuation member  412  being transmitted through the friction guard  450 . 
     The base  476  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics and the like. The base  476  may include a non-conductive material, such as a polymer, surrounding conductive material, such as metal, that forms the electrical contacts  462 ,  464 , and/or the conductive members  463 ,  465 . In some cases, the electrical contacts  462 ,  424 , and/or the conductive members  463 ,  465  are encapsulated within the base  476 , for example by injection molding. 
       FIGS.  4 B and  4 C  are example cross-section views of the switch module  416 .  FIG.  4 B  shows the actuation member  412  in an unactuated position and the friction guard  450  and the conductive dome  440  in an uncollapsed configuration.  FIG.  4 C  shows the actuation member  412  in an actuated position and the friction guard  450  and the conductive dome  440  in a collapsed configuration, for example in response to a force applied to the actuation member  412 . The friction guard  450  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member  412  in the unactuated position shown in  FIG.  4 B  absent an inward force on the actuation member. 
     The friction guard  450  may maintain a gap  490  between the friction guard and the conductive dome  440  when the actuation member  412  is in the unactuated position and/or for at least a portion of the transition to the actuated position such that the friction guard provides the outward biasing force on the actuation member  412 . During the transition from the unactuated position to the actuated position, the friction guard  450  may come into contact with the spacer  482  or otherwise cause the force exerted on the actuation member  412  to be transferred to the conductive dome  440 , thereby causing the dome to collapse. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C , the conductive path  430  may be maintained when the actuation member  412  is in the unactuated position, the actuated position, and positions therebetween. The friction guard  450  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit, for example by a connector  428   a . The conductive path  430  may be electrically isolated from the conductive dome so that signals used to detect translational inputs do not interfere with the signals from the actuation member  412 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 B , when the actuation member  412  is in the unactuated position, the conductive dome  440  is in the uncollapsed configuration and the conductive dome does not contact the switch electrical contact  462 . As shown in  FIG.  4 C , when the actuation member  412  is in the actuated position, for example in response to an inward force applied to the actuation member  412 , the conductive dome  440  is in the collapsed configuration and contacts the switch electrical contact  462 , which may close a circuit that includes the switch electrical contact  462  and the reference electrical contact  464  to register a translational input. The switch electrical contact  462  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  463  that extends through the base  476 . The conductive member  463  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  420 , for example by a connector  428   b . The reference electrical contact  464  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  465  that extends through the base  476 . The conductive member  465  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  420 , for example by a connector  428   c.    
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  show an example switch module  516  for an electronic device. The switch module  516  may be part of a crown assembly (e.g., crown assembly  110 ,  210 ) for an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  100 ,  200 ).  FIG.  5 A  shows an exploded view of the switch module  516 .  FIG.  5 B  is a first example cross-section view of the switch module  516 .  FIG.  5 C  is a second example cross-section view of the switch module  516 . 
     The switch module  516  may include a friction guard  550 . Similar to the friction guard  450  discussed with respect to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C , the friction guard  550  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member  512  in an unactuated position. The friction guard  550  may act as a spring, and may include one or more flexures  554  that define the spring dynamics of the friction guard. The friction guard  550  may be attached to the base  576  via support members  555   a ,  555   b . Each flexure  554  may extend from a support member  555   a ,  555   b  and at least partially surround a translating portion  558  of the friction guard  550 . The actuation member  512  may contact the translating portion  558 , and the translating portion may translate relative to the support members  555   a ,  555   b  and the base  576  to allow translation of the actuation member. The spring dynamics of the friction guard  550  may be defined by the material properties, the thickness, and the length of the flexures  554 . In some cases, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the flexures  554  may be U-shaped flexures. This may allow the flexures  554  to have a sufficient length to provide a desired outward biasing force while minimizing or reducing the size of the friction guard  550 . Minimizing or reducing the size of the friction guard  550  may reduce the size of the switch module  516 , which may reduce a size of a device that the switch module is installed in. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C , the friction guard  550  may define at least a portion of a conductive path  530  from the actuation member  512  to a processing unit  520 . In some cases, one or more of the flexures  554  may define a portion of the conductive path. For example, the actuation member  512  may contact the translating portion  558  of the friction guard, and the conductive path  530  may extend from the translating portion  558 , through a flexure  554 , and through the support member  555   a . The support member  555   a  may be conductively coupled to a persistent electrical contact  560  that is defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  561  that may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  520  or another circuit of the electronic device. 
     The switch module  516  may include a housing  570  that includes a base  576  and a bracket  578  for attaching the switch module  516  to the electronic device. The base  576  may define a recess  572 , and a conductive dome  540  may be positioned in the recess. A switch electrical contact  562  and reference electrical contacts  564   a - d  for detecting translational inputs may be positioned at least partially in the recess  572 . In some cases, the persistent electrical contact  560  and the switch electrical contact  562  may share a common conductive member (e.g., conductive member  561 ) such that they are conductively coupled to one another. As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the switch electrical contact  562  and the persistent electrical contact  560  may be conductively coupled to the processing unit  520  via the conductive member  561  and the connector  528   a . This may reduce a number of conductive paths from the switch module  516  to the processing unit  520 . Each electrical contact  564   a - d  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  565  that may contact a connector when the switch module  516  is installed in the electronic watch to conductively couple the electrical contact to a processing unit or other circuitry. 
     In some cases, the persistent electrical contact  560  and the switch electrical contact  562  may have separate conductive members that are electrically isolated from one another. As shown in  FIG.  5 C , the persistent electrical contact  560  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to the conductive member  561 , which is conductively coupled to the processing unit  520  via the connector  528   a . The switch electrical contact  562  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  563 , which is conductively coupled to the processing unit  520  via a connector  528   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C , a switch module may have a friction guard and a conductive dome that are separate components. In some embodiments, the friction guard and the conductive dome of a switch module may be formed as a single component.  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  show an example switch module  616  for an electronic device in which a conductive dome  640  and a friction guard  650  are formed as a single component. Forming the conductive dome  640  and the friction guard  650  as a single component may reduce the size of the switch module  616 , which may reduce a size of a device that the switch module is installed in and may simplify manufacturing by reducing a number of components. The switch module  616  may be part of a crown assembly (e.g., crown assembly  110 ,  210 ) for an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  100 ,  200 ).  FIG.  6 A  shows an exploded view of the switch module  616 .  FIG.  6 B  is an example cross-section view of the switch module  616 . The switch module  616  may be similar to the switch module  516  discussed with respect to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the conductive dome  640  and friction guard  650  may define at least a portion of a conductive path  630  from an actuation member  612  to a processing unit  620 . The conductive dome  640  and friction guard  650  may provide an outward biasing force that maintains the actuation member  612  in an unactuated position. 
     The conductive dome  640  may be positioned in a recess  672  of a base  676  of the switch module  616 . The conductive dome  640  may contact persistent electrical contacts  660   a - d , one or more of which form at least a portion of the conductive path  630 . Each persistent electrical contact  660   a - d  may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  661 , which is conductively coupled to the processing unit  620  via a connector  628   a . The conductive dome  640  may be configured to collapse in response to a translational movement of the actuation member  612 , causing the conductive dome to contact a switch electrical contact  662  to register a translational input. The switch electrical contact may be defined by and/or conductively coupled to a conductive member  663 , which is conductively coupled to the processing unit  620  via a connector  628   b.    
       FIG.  7    shows a sample electrical block diagram of an electronic device  700  that may incorporate a switch module. The electronic device may in some cases take the form of any of the electronic devices described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6 B , or other portable or wearable electronic devices. The electronic device  700  can include a display  712  (e.g., a light-emitting display), a processing unit  702 , a power source  714 , a memory  704  or storage device, an input device  706  (e.g., a crown assembly), and an output device  710 . 
     The processing unit  702  can control some or all of the operations of the electronic device  700 . The processing unit  702  can communicate, either directly or indirectly, with some or all of the components of the electronic device  700 . For example, a system bus or other communication mechanism  716  can provide communication between the processing unit  702 , the power source  714 , the memory  704 , the input device(s)  706 , and the output device(s)  710 . 
     The processing unit  702  can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing unit  702  can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processing unit” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     It should be noted that the components of the electronic device  700  can be controlled by multiple processing units. For example, select components of the electronic device  700  (e.g., an input device  706 ) may be controlled by a first processing unit and other components of the electronic device  700  (e.g., the display  712 ) may be controlled by a second processing unit, where the first and second processing units may or may not be in communication with each other. In some cases, the processing unit  702  may determine a biological parameter of a user of the electronic device, such as an ECG for the user. 
     The power source  714  can be implemented with any device capable of providing energy to the electronic device  700 . For example, the power source  714  may be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries. Additionally or alternatively, the power source  714  can be a power connector or power cord that connects the electronic device  700  to another power source, such as a wall outlet. 
     The memory  704  can store electronic data that can be used by the electronic device  700 . For example, the memory  704  can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals, control signals, and data structures or databases. The memory  704  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory  704  can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     In various embodiments, the display  712  provides a graphical output, for example associated with an operating system, user interface, and/or applications of the electronic device  700 . In one embodiment, the display  712  includes one or more sensors and is configured as a touch-sensitive (e.g., single-touch, multi-touch) and/or force-sensitive display to receive inputs from a user. For example, the display  712  may be integrated with a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor) and/or a force sensor to provide a touch- and/or force-sensitive display. The display  712  is operably coupled to the processing unit  702  of the electronic device  700 . 
     The display  712  can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. In some cases, the display  712  is positioned beneath and viewable through a cover that forms at least a portion of an enclosure of the electronic device  700 . 
     In various embodiments, the input devices  706  may include any suitable components for detecting inputs. Examples of input devices  706  include audio sensors (e.g., microphones), optical or visual sensors (e.g., cameras, visible light sensors, or invisible light sensors), proximity sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, mechanical devices (e.g., crowns, switches, buttons, or keys), vibration sensors, orientation sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers or velocity sensors), location sensors (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) devices), thermal sensors, communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), resistive sensors, magnetic sensors, electroactive polymers (EAPs), strain gauges, electrodes, and so on, or some combination thereof. Each input device  706  may be configured to detect one or more particular types of input and provide a signal (e.g., an input signal) corresponding to the detected input. The signal may be provided, for example, to the processing unit  702 . 
     As discussed above, in some cases, the input device(s)  706  include a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor) integrated with the display  712  to provide a touch-sensitive display. Similarly, in some cases, the input device(s)  706  include a force sensor (e.g., a capacitive force sensor) integrated with the display  712  to provide a force-sensitive display. 
     The output devices  710  may include any suitable components for providing outputs. Examples of output devices  710  include audio output devices (e.g., speakers), visual output devices (e.g., lights or displays), tactile output devices (e.g., haptic output devices), communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), and so on, or some combination thereof. Each output device  710  may be configured to receive one or more signals (e.g., an output signal provided by the processing unit  702 ) and provide an output corresponding to the signal. 
     In some cases, input devices  706  and output devices  710  are implemented together as a single device. For example, an input/output device or port can transmit electronic signals via a communications network, such as a wireless and/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired network connections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR, and Ethernet connections. 
     The processing unit  702  may be operably coupled to the input devices  706  and the output devices  710 . The processing unit  702  may be adapted to exchange signals with the input devices  706  and the output devices  710 . For example, the processing unit  702  may receive an input signal from an input device  706  that corresponds to an input detected by the input device  706 . The processing unit  702  may interpret the received input signal to determine whether to provide and/or change one or more outputs in response to the input signal. The processing unit  702  may then send an output signal to one or more of the output devices  710 , to provide and/or change outputs as appropriate. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented. 
     One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is determining electrocardiograms, and the like. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs (or other social media aliases or handles), home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to provide haptic or audiovisual outputs that are tailored to the user. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of determining spatial parameters, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, haptic outputs may be provided based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as events or states at the device associated with a user, other non-personal information, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200602
Publication Date: 20230110
Grant Date: 20230110
Priority Date: 20200602
Inventors: PANDYA, SAMEER
HERRERA, ANTONIO
ELY, COLIN M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H19/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/282", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H25/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/332", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H19/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C3/002", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/332", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0312", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2231/028", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0383", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/02438", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/0245", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/332", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H19/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C3/002", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H19/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H25/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 78706073