PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10585524-B2
Application Number: US-201816044223-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Input controls using pressure sensors

Abstract:
An input control for controlling various features of an electronic device is described. The input control can be positioned along an exterior surface of the electronic device and cover an opening leading into the electronic device. A pressure sensor can then be positioned within the electronic device and adjacent to the covered opening. The pressure sensor is able to measure a pressure of a volume of air positioned between the pressure sensor and the input control. When movement of the input control changes the pressure of the volume of air, the sensor readings from the pressure sensor can be used to register a user input. The input control can take many forms including rocker buttons, slider switches and input regions.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing comprising a housing wall defining an opening extending therethrough; 
 an input control coupled to an exterior-facing surface of the housing wall and disposed over a first end of the opening, the input control being configured to receive a user input; and 
 a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a second end of the opening such that the input control and pressure sensor cooperatively enclose an interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize a pressure change within the interior volume resulting from movement of the input control. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is a microphone. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the interior volume is a sealed volume. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a processor in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the processor determines when the pressure change within the interior volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold corresponding to a user input. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the pressure change exceeding a first threshold corresponds to a first user input and the pressure change exceeding a second threshold corresponds to a second user input different than the first user input. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input control is a button. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input control is a rocker button. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the opening is a first opening and the interior volume is a first interior volume, wherein the first interior volume is disposed between a first side of the pressure sensor and a first end of the rocker button, wherein the housing wall defines a second opening and a second end of the rocker button is disposed over a first end of the second opening, and wherein a second interior volume is disposed between a second side of the pressure sensor and the second end of the rocker button. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to identify a differential pressure of the first interior volume relative to the second interior volume. 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a haptic actuator configured to provide vibratory feedback in response to a pressure change corresponding to a user input. 
     
     
       11. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing comprising sidewalls that cooperatively define a front opening, one of the sidewalls defining a side opening extending therethrough; 
 a touch screen display assembly disposed within the front opening; 
 an input control positioned at least partially within a recess defined by an exterior-facing surface of the sidewall defining the side opening, the input control disposed over a first end of the side opening; and 
 a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the sidewall and covering a second end of the side opening such that the input control and the pressure sensor cooperatively enclose an interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize user inputs received by the input control by monitoring pressure changes within the interior volume resulting from a movement of the input control. 
 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the pressure sensor is a microphone. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the input control defines one or more openings that allow audio waves generated outside the portable electronic device to enter the interior volume, and wherein the microphone is configured to characterize audio waves entering the interior volume. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a magnetic element coupled to the input control. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a coil configured to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic element to vibrate the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein an amount of vibration generated by the coil increases in accordance with the movement of the input control. 
     
     
       17. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing comprising a housing wall defining a first opening and a second opening extending therethrough; 
 an input control coupled to an exterior-facing surface of the housing wall and disposed over a first end of the first opening and a first end of the second opening, the input control being configured to receive a user input; 
 a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a second end of the first opening such that the input control and the pressure sensor cooperatively enclose a first interior volume; and 
 a bracket coupled to the interior-facing surface and enclosing a second interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize pressure changes within both the first interior volume and the second interior volume resulting from movement of the input control. 
 
     
     
       18. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to identify a differential pressure of the first interior volume relative to the second interior volume. 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the pressure sensor is a microphone having a diaphragm. 
     
     
       20. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein a first end of the microphone includes one or more openings in fluid communication with the first interior volume and a first side of the diaphragm and wherein a second end of the microphone includes an opening in fluid communication with the second interior volume and a second side of the diaphragm.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/565,466, filed Sep. 29, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to improved user interface designs. In particular, ways of improving the functionality of physical input controls is described. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As electronic devices grow increasingly more complex and feature rich, the need for an improved user interface grows commensurately. The user interface of electronic devices often includes a mix of virtual and physical interface objects. A portion of the user interface of the device could be included on a touch sensitive display while another portion of the user interface could be realized by more conventional buttons and/or switches. Unfortunately, conventional push buttons are often limited to providing a small number of different inputs and often are capable of providing only a single type of input. To make matters worse, electronic device manufactures are increasingly moving toward water-resistant robust devices built to withstand relatively harsh environmental buttons, making a large number of conventional buttons, which generally need robust sealing, undesirable. For this reason, ways of adding additional functionality to a button and/or switch is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure describes various embodiments that relate to apparatus for monitoring and characterizing user inputs associated with physical input controls. 
     A portable electronic device is disclosed and includes: a device housing having a housing wall defining an opening extending therethrough; an input control coupled to an exterior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a first end of the opening, the input control being configured to receive a user input; and a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a second end of the opening such that the input control and pressure sensor cooperatively enclose an interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize a pressure change within the interior volume resulting from movement of the input control. 
     A portable electronic device is disclosed and includes the following a device housing having sidewalls that cooperatively define a front opening, one of the sidewalls defining a side opening extending therethrough; a touch screen display assembly disposed within the front opening; an input control positioned at least partially within a recess defined by an exterior-facing surface of the sidewall defining the side opening and covering a first end of the side opening; and a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the sidewall and covering a second end of the side opening such that the input control and pressure sensor cooperatively enclose an interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize user inputs received by the input control by monitoring pressure changes within the interior volume resulting from movement of the input control. 
     A portable electronic device is disclosed and includes the following: a device housing comprising a housing wall defining a first opening and a second opening extending therethrough; an input control coupled to an exterior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a first end of the first opening and a first end of the second opening, the input control being configured to receive a user input; a pressure sensor coupled to an interior-facing surface of the housing wall and covering a second end of the first opening such that the input control and the pressure sensor cooperatively enclose a first interior volume; and a bracket coupled to the interior facing surface and enclosing a second interior volume, the pressure sensor being configured to characterize pressure changes within both the first interior volume and the second interior volume resulting from movement of the input control. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       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  shows an exemplary portable electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of a side button in accordance with section line A-A, depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a cross-sectional view of a rocker button in accordance with section line B-B, depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4B  shows how when a force is applied to a button cap, resulting in a first end of the button cap moving closer to a device housing, a size of a sealed volume associated with the input control is reduced; 
         FIG. 4C  shows how a force can be applied to a second end of the button cap; 
         FIG. 4D  shows how a force applied to a central region of the button cap can move button cap without rotating it; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show cross-sectional and perspective views associated with the slider switch depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device suitable for use with the described embodiments; and 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  show cross-sectional side view of the portable electronic device depicted in  FIG. 7  in accordance with section line D-D. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     Portable electronic devices perform ever-increasing numbers of functions to assist users in carrying out tasks in their daily lives. While a touch screen generally provides a majority of the functionality for devices such as smartphones and tablet devices, physical controls distributed at various locations around the portable electronic device generally provide more tactile feedback than virtual controls generated by a touch screen. This tactile feedback can be important for carrying out certain functions such as cycling through applications and turning the device on and off. Unfortunately, physical controls tend to lack the flexibility of virtual controls, thereby limiting their versatility. Furthermore, in some cases, moving parts within a physical control can be more susceptible to wear and tear. 
     One way to increase the flexibility of physical input controls for a portable electronic device is to use a sensor capable of distinguishing multiple different types and degrees of input. In particular, a button that includes a sealed or quasi-sealed volume can employ a pressure sensor within the sealed volume to characterize user inputs when a size of the sealed volume is changed by the user input. A quasi-sealed volume can be an interior volume within the portable electronic device having small openings to the exterior of the device that are sized to allow pressure equalization to occur only very gradually. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor can also be configured to distinguish different levels of pressure change. A processor in communication with the pressure sensor can be configured to generate different responses based on different levels of detected pressure. 
     In some embodiments, the pressure sensor can take the form of a microphone. Since microphones are also able to detect and characterize audio waves in addition to measuring pressure, the use of a microphone can further allow for the detection of audio. In some embodiments, the physical input control can include multiple openings through which audio can pass and be detected and characterized by the microphone. In some embodiments, both audio and pressure sensing can be analyzed in order to identify user inputs being made at a physical control. 
     In order to fully take advantage of the increased number of input types made possible by the use of pressure detection, the physical controls can also include one or more types of haptic feedback components. In this way, control inputs can be verified. For example, the haptic feedback components could be configured to register a hard input with a stronger vibratory response than a soft input, confirming to the user the type of input detected. In this way, any input errors are quickly reported to the user. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-8B ; 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  shows an exemplary portable electronic device  100  suitable for use with the described embodiments. Portable electronic device  100  includes device housing  102 , which houses numerous electrical components that include electronic display  104 . Electronic display  104  can be configured to display media content to a user and receive user inputs from a user in the form of touch inputs across the surface of electronic display  104 . The electrical components can also include button  106 . In some embodiments, portable electronic device  100  can change operating modes in response to button  106  being actuated. Actuating button  106  in rapid succession can cue additional operating modes of portable electronic device  100 . Portable electronic device  100  can also include earpiece speaker  108 , which is configured to broadcast audio into the ear of a user proximate earpiece speaker  108 . In some embodiments, earpiece speaker  108  can be configured to act as a speaker phone to allow the user to carry on a conversation without holding portable electronic device  100  up to an ear. Portable electronic device  100  also includes I/O port  110 , which can be configured to receive and transmit data as well as provide a conduit for charging portable electronic device  100 . Side button  112  can take the form of a push button that can be actuated in response to receiving a predetermined amount of force. In some embodiments, portable electronic device  100  can be configured to respond differently to side button  112  being actuated multiple times in quick succession. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of side button  112  in accordance with section line A-A of  FIG. 1 . Side button  112  includes button cap  202 , which is positioned at least partially within recess  204  defined by device housing  102 . Button cap  202  can be secured within recess  204  by a first seal  206 . First seal  206  can include an adhesive compound that securely attaches button cap  202  to device housing  102 . First seal  206  can be formed from a material such as silicone that has a compressibility that accommodates movement of button cap to varying amounts toward device housing  102 . First seal  206  can prevent any air from entering into an interior of side button  112  by surrounding opening  208  that leads into sealed volume  210 . Sealed volume  210  is also isolated from a majority of an interior volume of device housing  102  by sensor  212 , a second seal  214  and printed circuit board  216 . In this way, interior volume  210  can extend through opening  208  and be positioned both within and outside of device housing  102 . In some embodiments, a portion of button cap  202  can extend through opening  208  so that interior volume  210  is contained entirely within device housing  102 . In some embodiments, the portion of button cap  202  extending through opening  208  can take the form of a plug designed to reduce the volume of interior volume  210 . When button cap  202  is pressed and moves closer to device housing  102 , a size of sealed volume  210  is reduced. Because gas is not able to escape sealed volume  210 , the reduction in size proportionally increases the pressure within sealed volume  210 . Sensor  212  can be configured to measure the change in pressure within sealed volume  210 . In some embodiments, sensor  212  can be configured to send an actuation signal to a processor within device housing  102  when the measured pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, sensor  212  can be configured to send signals in response to detecting multiple different pressure thresholds, thereby allowing side button  219  to vary a response based on different amounts of force being applied to button cap  202 . In some embodiments, sensor  212  can be configured to send a raw pressure data to a processor, allowing button  112  to provide a truly analog experience. Such a configuration could be useful in games where fine control is particularly helpful and/or desired. In some embodiments, behavior of side button  112  could vary on an application-by-application basis. 
     Many different types of sensors could be used to make the aforementioned pressure readings. In some embodiments, sensor  212  can take the form of a microphone. A diaphragm within the microphone could be used to identify pressure changes within sealed volume  210 . In some embodiments, the diaphragm can take the form of a flexible silicone substrate. Capacitive sensors can be configured to generate different readings based on the amount of deflection of the diaphragm. Steady state changes in diaphragm position can be these capacitance signals could instead of being used to reproduce audio be instead used solely for making pressure readings. Another advantage of the described sensor configuration is the configuration can be implemented without electrical contacts that could be subject to shorting or fatigue. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device  300  suitable for use with the described embodiments. Portable electronic device  300  includes device housing  102 , which houses numerous electrical components that include electronic display  104 . Electronic display  104  can be part of a touchscreen display assembly positioned within a front opening defined by sidewalls of device housing  102 . Electronic display  104  can be configured to display media content to a user and receive user inputs from a user in the form of touch inputs across the surface of electronic display  104 . The electrical components can also include button  106 . In some embodiments, portable electronic device  300  can change operating modes in response to button  106  being actuated. Actuating button  106  in rapid succession can cue additional operating modes of portable electronic device  300 . Portable electronic device  300  can also include earpiece speaker  108 , which is configured to broadcast audio into the ear of a user proximate earpiece speaker  108 . In some embodiments, earpiece speaker  108  can be configured to act as a speakerphone to allow the user to carry on a conversation without holding portable electronic device  300  up to an ear. Portable electronic device  300  also includes I/O port  110 , which can be configured to receive and transmit data as well as provide a conduit for charging portable electronic device  300 . Rocker button  302  can take the form of a push button that can be actuated in response to receiving a predetermined amount of force. In some embodiments, opposing ends of rocker button  302  can be configured to receive volume up and volume down inputs. Pushing on a central portion of rocker button  302  could allow the user to enter a third type of input. For example, pressing the center of rocker button could allow the user to turn portable electronic device  300  on or off depending on a current state of portable electronic device  300 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a cross-sectional view of rocker button  302  in accordance with section line B-B, depicted in  FIG. 3 . Rocker button  302  includes button cap  402 , which is positioned at least partially within recess  404  defined by device housing  102 . Button cap  402  can be secured within recess  204  by a first seal  406 . First seal  406  can include an adhesive compound that securely attaches button cap  402  to device housing  102 . First seal  406  can be formed from a material such as silicone that has a compressibility that accommodates movement of button cap to varying amounts toward device housing  102 . First seal  406  can prevent any air from entering into an interior of rocker button  302  by surrounding openings  408  and  410  defined by device housing  102  that lead into sealed volumes  412  and  414 . Sealed volume  412  is isolated from a majority of an interior volume of device housing  102  by sensor  416 , a second seal  418  and printed circuit board  420 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows how when a force  422  is applied to button cap  402 , resulting in a first end of button cap  402  moving closer to device housing  102 , a size of sealed volume  412  is reduced. Because gas is not able to escape sealed volume  412 , the reduction in size of sealed volume  412  proportionally increases the pressure within sealed volume  412 . Sensor  416  can be configured to measure the change in pressure within sealed volume  412 . In some embodiments, sensor  416  can be configured to send an actuation signal to a processor within device housing  102  when the measured pressure within sealed volume  412  exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     In some embodiments, sensor  416  can take the form of a microphone that in addition to identifying pressure changes can also be used to monitor sound waves. By including one or more narrow openings  417  in button cap  402 , the microphone can also characterize audio waves passing therethrough. Because openings  417  are narrow in comparison with sealed volume  412 , openings  417  only allow slow equalization of pressure within sealed volume  412 . Consequently, in such a configuration, sensor  416  is still able to identify transient actuations of button cap  402  regardless of the small openings leading into sealed volume  412 . Sensor  416  can also be used in conjunction with other microphones associated with portable electronic device  300 . For example, audio waves sensed by sensor  416  can be used in conjunction with sensor readings from the other microphones to identify a direction of a source of the audio waves using techniques such as time difference of arrival. 
       FIG. 4C  shows how force  424  can be applied to button cap  402 . When force  424  is applied in the depicted location, a second end opposite the first end of button cap  402  moves closer to device housing  102  and a size of sealed volume  414  is reduced, resulting in a pressure increase within sealed volume  414 . Sealed volume  414  is defined primarily by button bracket  426 , which seals to an interior-facing surface of device housing  102  with second seal  418 . In addition to measuring the pressure within sealed volume  412 , sensor  416  can also be configured to measure pressure within sealed volume  414 . In some embodiments, this is accomplished with a diaphragm  428  of sensor  416 . Since air within sealed volume  414  extends into a first region  430  of sensor  416  through rear vent  432  and air within sealed volume  412  extends into second region  434  of sensor  416 , movement of diaphragm can be used to determine a pressure differential indicating which sealed volume is more highly pressurized. In this way, a processor receiving signals from sensor  416  could be configured to determine which portion of button cap  402  was being pressed based on the sensed pressure differential. The movement of diaphragm  428  can be sensed by capacitive sensors associated with diaphragm  428 . The capacitive sensors can generate a different amount of voltage based on the amount of deflection of diaphragm  428 . In some embodiments, different pressure differential thresholds can be associated with different user inputs, thereby allowing the input to be changed based on the amount of force being applied to one or both sides of button cap  402 . For example, pressing the portion of button cap  402  generally associated with volume down with a particularly strong force could prompt the volume to be immediately muted. In some embodiments, sensor  416  can be configured to send signals in response to detecting multiple different pressure thresholds, thereby allowing rocker button  302  to vary a response based on different amounts of force being applied to button cap  202 . In some embodiments, sensor  416  can be configured to send raw pressure data to a processor, allowing rocker button  302  to provide a truly analog experience. Such a configuration could be useful in games where fine control is particularly helpful and/or desired. In some embodiments, behavior of rocker button  302  could vary on an application-by-application basis. 
       FIG. 4C  also shows how rocker button  302  can also include haptic actuators for providing haptic feedback to a user. In particular, magnetic elements  438  can be adhered to or insert-molded to a rear-facing surface of button cap  402 . Magnetic elements  438  can interact with a magnetic field generated by coils  440 , when feedback is desired. For example, when a user presses button top  402  with sufficient force to reach a first pressure threshold one of coils  440  can receive electrical current, which generates a magnetic field that interacts with a corresponding one of magnetic elements  438 . The resulting magnetic field can create a response force that could be sensed by a user. Because rocker button  302  includes two haptic actuators a variety of feedback responses can be achieved. In particular, this allows a particular region of button cap  402  to be targeted. In some embodiments, the haptic actuators can be alternated to effect a rocking motion of button cap  402 . Such an effect could be desired in gaming environment to simulate a particular event. 
       FIG. 4D  shows how a force  442  applied to a central region of button cap  402  can move button cap  402  without rotating it one way or the other. This type of input has two results. First pressure increases in both sealed volume  412  and sealed volume  414 . In response to both pressures increasing, portable electronic device  300  can be configured to provide a varying response based on pressure change as described above. When button cap  402  is pressed firmly enough to engage dome switch  444 , as depicted, a different or additional response can be provided. The tactile response of dome switch  444  can also alert a user to button cap  402  being full depressed. In some embodiments, the tactile response provided by dome switch  444  can be augmented by the haptic actuators arranged on opposing sides of button cap  402 . 
     It should be noted that the interior of sensor  416  is provided for exemplary purposes only and a person with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other supporting components and structures in addition to diaphragm  428  would be included to make sensor  416  fully functional. Furthermore, in some embodiments, rocker button  302  could include two separate sensors for measuring pressure in sealed volumes  412  and  414 . For example, sensor  416  could include two diaphragms with separate volumes able to make precise pressure measurements. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device  500  suitable for use with the described embodiments. Portable electronic device  500  includes device housing  102 , which houses numerous electrical components that include electronic display  104 . Electronic display  104  can be configured to display media content to a user and receive user inputs from a user in the form of touch inputs across the surface of electronic display  104 . The electrical components can also include button  106 . In some embodiments, portable electronic device  500  can change operating modes in response to button  106  being actuated. Actuating button  106  in rapid succession can cue additional operating modes of portable electronic device  500 . Portable electronic device  500  can also include earpiece speaker  108 , which is configured to broadcast audio into the ear of a user proximate earpiece speaker  108 . In some embodiments, earpiece speaker  108  can be configured to act as a speakerphone to allow the user to carry on a conversation without holding portable electronic device  500  up to an ear. Portable electronic device  500  also includes I/O port  110 , which can be configured to receive and transmit data as well as provide a conduit for charging portable electronic device  500 . Slider switch  502  is positioned along a sidewall of device housing  102  and can be actuated in response to sliding slider switch  502  laterally a predetermined distance within track  504 . In some embodiments, opposing ends of slider switch  502  can correspond to maximum and minimum volume settings. In such a configuration, any other type of input might not be necessary given the intuitive nature of volume corresponding to different positions of slider switch. However, in embodiments where slider switch  502  can correspond to selecting other types of values, configuring slider switch  502  to identify speed of motion of slider switch  502  can also be helpful. For example, quickly sliding slider switch  502  from one end to another could have a very different outcome than sliding it slowly from one end to another. Furthermore, an additional input type can be added to this type of button by allowing slider switch  502  to be pushed inwardly. For example, pressing the slider switch inwardly could allow the user to turn portable electronic device  500  on or off depending on a current state of portable electronic device  500 . In some embodiments, inward pressure could transition slider switch  502  between recessed and proud positions relative to an exterior surface of device housing  102 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show cross-sectional and perspective views associated with slider switch  502  as depicted in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6A  shows a cross-sectional side view of switch cap  602  arranged within track  504  defined by device housing  102  and extending into a sealed volume  604  defined by device housing  102  in accordance with section line C-C. Slider switch  502  includes a reed  606  suspended from switch cap  602 . Reed  606  can be a thin and/or elastic sheet of metal formed from, e.g., NITINOL (i.e. a Nickel Titanium alloy). Consequently, reed  606  is able to bend and flex as it passes over detents  608 . In some embodiments, detents  608  can have different heights. The different heights change the amount of resistance to movement as switch cap  602  slides along track  504 , allowing a user to get tactile feedback as to the current position of switch cap  602  relative to sealed volume  604 . The different heights also change an amount of motion resulting from reed  606  passing over detents  608 . Sensor  610  can take the form of a microphone able to detect audio waves generated by the motion of reed  606  as it passes over detents  608 . In some embodiments, sensor  610  can be affixed to printed circuit board  612  by seal  614 . The differences in audio waves generated by the different height detents  608  can be detected by sensor  610  allowing a determination to be made regarding where on track  504  switch cap  602  is located. Furthermore, a rate at which sound waves are generated by reed  606  passing over detents  608  and received by sensor  610  can help sensor  610  determine a speed at which switch cap  602  is sliding across the track. 
       FIG. 6B  shows switch cap  602  at one end of track  504  and how switch cap  602  can be pushed farther into sealed volume  604 . Force  616  can be applied to push switch cap  602  farther into sealed volume  604 , as depicted, which reduces the total volume of sealed volume  604 . In this way, a steady state pressure within sealed volume  604  can be increased. Switch cap  602  can include a sliding seal assembly that allow switch cap  602  to be pushed farther into sealed volume  604  without opening sealed volume  604  to the ambient environment. In some embodiments, switch cap  602  can include a spring assembly that helps transition switch cap  602  between recessed and proud positions. In everyday use, when a processor is receiving consistently higher pressure readings from sensor  610 , these pressure readings can be associate with the switch cap being pushed farther into sealed volume  604 . In some embodiments, sensor  610  can be recalibrated when switch cap  602  is pressed farther into sealed volume  604  as reed  606  undergoes more deflection as it passes over detents  608 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows a perspective view of a portion of slider switch  502  and in particular switch cap  602  and reed  606 . Reed  606  is shown defining multiple perforations  616 . When switch cap  602  slides in direction  618 , perforations  616  allow air streams  620  to pass through reed  606 . Air streams  620  generate audio waves passing through perforations  616 . As the speed of switch cap  602  increases so does the strength of the audio waves generated. For this reason, reed  606  can include perforations to give sensor  610  additional details regarding the speed and position of reed  606  within sealed volume  604 . In some embodiments, interaction between air streams  607  and perforations  616  of reed  606  can be enough to track the position of switch cap  602  without any detents  608 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an exemplary portable electronic device  700  suitable for use with the described embodiments. Portable electronic device  700  includes device housing  102 , which houses numerous electrical components that include electronic display  104 . Electronic display  104  can be configured to display media content to a user and receive user inputs from a user in the form of touch inputs across the surface of electronic display  104 . The electrical components can also include button  106 . In some embodiments, portable electronic device  700  can change operating modes in response to button  106  being actuated. Actuating button  106  in rapid succession can cue additional operating modes of portable electronic device  700 . Portable electronic device  700  can also include earpiece speaker  108 , which is configured to broadcast audio into the ear of a user proximate earpiece speaker  108 . In some embodiments, earpiece speaker  108  can be configured to act as a speakerphone to allow the user to carry on a conversation without holding portable electronic device  700  up to an ear. Portable electronic device  700  also includes I/O port  110 , which can be configured to receive and transmit data as well as provide a conduit for charging portable electronic device  700 . Portable electronic device  700  can include multiple input regions  702  and  704 . In some embodiments, additional input regions can be included. 
     Input region  702  can be actuated in response to receiving a threshold amount of pressure that elastically deforms a portion of a sidewall of device housing  102  associated with input region  702 . In some embodiments, input regions  702  and  704  can be perforated to allow the input regions to be illuminated. This can be advantageous in alerting a user to a special function or even to the existence of one or more of the input regions. For example, in some embodiments, input region could be illuminated any time it is enabled. In some embodiments, the input regions could be illuminated to indicate a special operating mode. It should be noted that while only two input regions are indicated, any number of input regions could be distributed around the exterior of device housing  102 . Furthermore, instead of or in addition to illuminate input regions, each of input regions can be identified by laser-etched shapes indicating the position of each of the input regions. Other possible indicia include painted or anodized markings indicating the input region positions. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  show cross-sectional side view of portable electronic device  700  in accordance with section line D-D as depicted in  FIG. 7 . As depicted in  FIG. 8A , device housing  102  includes a thinned wall region  802  that corresponds to input region  702 . In some embodiments, thinned wall region  802  can define multiple perforations  706  through which light emitted by one or more of light sources  804  can exit device housing  102 . In some embodiments, a protective layer  806  can be adhered to an inward-facing surface of thinned wall region  802 . The protective layer  806  can be optically transparent to allow light emitted by light sources  804  to exit device housing  102 , while maintaining a sealed volume  808 . In some embodiments, protective layer  806  can leave one or more of perforations  706  exposed to allow audio waves to enter sealed volume  808 . In some embodiments, protective layer can be configured to vibrate in order to pass audio waves through protective layer  806  and into sealed volume  808 . Light sources  804  can be surface mounted to printed circuit board  810 . Input region  702  can also have an associated haptic actuator that includes coil  812 , which can also be surface mounted to printed circuit board  810 . Coil  812  is configured to emit a magnetic field that interacts with magnetic element  814  to provide vibratory haptic feedback to a user of input region  702  of portable electronic device  700 . Sensor is configured to monitor a pressure within sealed volume  808  in order to identify actuation of input region  702  by a user. 
       FIG. 8B  shows how a force  818  can be applied to input region  702 , causing thinned wall region  802  to deform inwardly. The inward deformation increases pressure within sealed volume  808  sufficient to trigger sensor  816 , which can take the form of a pressure sensor capable of identifying the pressure change, to send a signal to a processor for further actions consistent with the actuation of input region  702 .  FIG. 8B  also shows how light sources  804  can illuminate input region  702  in response to a received user input. Alternatively, or additionally, coil  812  can be energized to create a vibratory feedback to applied force  818 . 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used 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 specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described 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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180724
Publication Date: 20200310
Grant Date: 20200310
Priority Date: 20170929
Inventors: KEEN, BRYAN D.
MERZ, NICHOLAS G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M1/236", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1605", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/236", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H33/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/236", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H33/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1605", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0416", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0416", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0416", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 65896074