PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8754343-B2
Application Number: US-57126809-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Rotary slide switches

Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the space required by a switch assembly input component of an electronic device. The input component may include a track and a button capable of linear movement within the track. The input component may also include a disk having a slot and a plurality of labels. A pin may be coupled to the button and may extend into the slot for translating the linear movement of the button into rotational movement of the disk. The rotational movement of the disk may alter the portion the labels that are exposed to a user under an open portion of the track. The input component may also include a switch coupled to a portion of the pin extending through the slot of the disk. A switch arm may move along a switch path of the switch in response to the linear movement of the button.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A user input component for a device, the input component comprising:
 a track, wherein the track is an opening through a wall of a housing component; 
 a button capable of linear movement within the track; 
 a disk comprising a slot and a plurality of labels, the disk capable of rotational movement; and 
 a pin coupled to the button and extending into the slot, wherein the pin is operative to translate the linear movement of the button into the rotational movement of the disk, and 
 wherein the rotational movement positions a revealed portion of the plurality of labels under an open portion of the track. 
 
     
     
       2. The input component of  claim 1 , wherein the open portion of the track comprises at least one portion of the track adjacent the button. 
     
     
       3. The input component of  claim 1 , wherein the button is capable of the linear movement between a first functional position within the track and at least a second functional position within the track. 
     
     
       4. The input component of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the rotational movement positions a first revealed portion of the plurality of labels under the open portion of the track when the button is in the first functional position; and 
 the rotational movement positions a second revealed portion of the plurality of labels under the open portion of the track when the button is in the second functional position. 
 
     
     
       5. The input component of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first revealed portion comprises a first label of the plurality of labels; and 
 the second revealed portion does not comprise the first label. 
 
     
     
       6. The input component of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first revealed portion comprises a first label of the plurality of labels; and 
 the second revealed portion comprises a second label of the plurality of labels. 
 
     
     
       7. The input component of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the rotational movement positions a third revealed portion of the plurality of labels under the open portion of the track when the button is in a third position within the track between the first functional position and the second functional position; and 
 the third revealed portion comprises a portion of at least one of the first label and the second label. 
 
     
     
       8. The input component of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the open portion of the track comprises:
 a first open region of the track between the button and a first end of the track; and 
 a second open region of the track between the button and a second end of the track; and 
 
 the third revealed portion comprises: a portion of the first label positioned under the first open region of the track; and 
 a portion of the second label positioned under the second open region of the track. 
 
     
     
       9. The user input component of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch, wherein:
 a first portion of the pin is coupled to the button; 
 a second portion of the pin is coupled to the switch; and 
 a third portion of the pin between the first portion of the pin and the second portion of the pin extends through the slot. 
 
     
     
       10. The user input component of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the switch comprises a switch path and a switch arm capable of movement along the switch path; and 
 the pin is operative to translate the linear movement of the button into the movement of the switch arm along the switch path. 
 
     
     
       11. The user input component of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the switch arm is capable of the movement between a first functional position within the switch path and at least a second functional position within the switch path; 
 the device is configured to operate in a first operational state when the switch arm is in the first functional position; and 
 the device is configured to operate in a second operational state when the switch arm is in the second functional position. 
 
     
     
       12. The user input component of  claim 9 , further comprising a support structure, wherein:
 a top surface of the support structure faces the track; 
 the switch is coupled to a bottom surface of the support structure; and 
 a fourth portion of the pin between the third portion of the pin and the second portion of the pin extends through a passageway in the support structure between the top surface of the support structure and the bottom surface of the support structure. 
 
     
     
       13. The user input component of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure is a circuit board electrically coupled to the switch. 
     
     
       14. The user input component of  claim 12 , further comprising a pad positioned between the support structure and the disk. 
     
     
       15. The user input component of  claim 12 , wherein the disk is capable of the rotational movement about a disk rotational element coupled to the top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
       16. The user input component of  claim 1 , further comprising a pad positioned between the wall of the housing component and the disk. 
     
     
       17. The user input component of  claim 1 , wherein the disk is capable of the rotational movement about a disk rotational element coupled to the wall of the housing component. 
     
     
       18. The user input component of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational movement of the disk is within a plane parallel to the wall of the housing component. 
     
     
       19. The input component of  claim 1 , wherein the button extends beyond the housing component. 
     
     
       20. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing comprising a first wall; and 
 an input component comprising:
 a track in the first wall; 
 a button operative to move within the track; 
 a disk comprising a slot and a first label, the disk operative to rotate in a plane parallel to the first wall; and 
 a pin coupled to the button and extending into the slot, wherein the pin is operative to rotate the disk in the plane based on the movement of the button for changing the portion of the first label positioned underneath the track. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 20 , further comprising a switch coupled to the pin and operative to move in a linear path based on the movement of the button for changing an operational state of the device. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 21 , further comprising a support structure, wherein:
 the switch is coupled to a first surface of the support structure; and 
 the pin extends through the slot and through a passageway in the support structure between the first surface of the support structure and a second surface of the support structure. 
 
     
     
       23. The electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein the support structure is a circuit board electrically coupled to the switch. 
     
     
       24. A method for switching a state of a device, the method comprising:
 sliding a button in a linear motion along a track, wherein the track is an opening through a wall of a housing component of the device; 
 translating the linear motion into a rotational motion; 
 revealing a portion of a plurality of labels with the rotational motion; and 
 moving a switch with the linear motion. 
 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , wherein the revealing comprises revealing the portion of the plurality of labels through the track. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 24 , wherein the translating comprises moving a pin with the linear motion along a slot in a rotary disk. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the pin is coupled to the button, and the plurality of labels are provided on a surface of the rotary disk. 
     
     
       28. A method for assembling an input component, comprising:
 forming a linear opening through a wall; 
 positioning a button at least partially within the opening; 
 positioning a disk comprising a plurality of labels underneath the opening; and 
 providing a pin between the button and a slot in the disk. 
 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 positioning a circuit board underneath the disk; 
 coupling a switch to the circuit board; 
 coupling a first end of the pin to the button; 
 coupling a second end of the pin to the switch; and 
 positioning a first middle portion of the pin through the slot in the disk. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , further comprising positioning a second middle portion of the pin through a passageway in the circuit board.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to device input components and, more particularly, to slide switch assembly input components having labeled rotary disks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Electronic devices may include at least one of several types of input components to be used by a user for providing instructions or commands to the electronic device. For example, the input component may be a switch assembly including a button that may be moved to at least two different positions. The switch assembly may also include labels associated with each of the button positions. The labels may provide any suitable visible information to a user, including, for example, a value or instruction or color, associated with each button position. The labels may be sequentially displayed such that only the label associated with a particular button position is displayed when the button is in the corresponding position, or such that only the label associated with a particular button position is completely displayed when the button is in the corresponding position and other labels may only be at least partially displayed, for example. 
     If the switch assembly is a linear switch assembly including a button that may be moved to at least two different positions within a linear slot, for example, the switch assembly may include labels extending from one or more sides of the button. As the user then moves the button within the slot, the labels on one or more sides of the button may be displayed within the slot (e.g., as the button is placed against one end of the slot, the label adjacent to the slot may be visible to the user). 
     However, labels extending from one or more sides of a button often limit how close the switch assembly may be placed to an edge of the electronic device or to another component of the device. For example, because the label that may be displayed when the button is positioned away from an edge of the device may need to be hidden when the button is positioned adjacent that edge of the device, the slot and button may need to be positioned away from the edge at a distance at least equal to the length of the label. Therefore, the device is generally made significantly larger and/or the switch assembly is made significantly smaller. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Slide switch assembly input components having labeled rotary disks and methods for creating the same are provided. 
     According to some embodiments, a user input component for a device is provided. The input component may include a track and a button capable of linear movement within the track. The input component may also include a disk including a slot and labels. A pin may be coupled to the button and may extend into the slot of the disk. The pin may be operative to translate the linear movement of the button into rotational movement of the disk. The rotational movement of the disk may position a portion of the labels under an open portion of the track. In some embodiments, the input component may also include a switch having a switch path and a switch arm. The pin may be operative to translate the linear movement of the button into movement of the switch arm along the switch path. 
     According to other embodiments, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing and an input component. The input component may include a track in a first wall of the housing, a button operative to move within the track, and a disk having a slot and a first label. The input component may also include a pin coupled to the button and extending into the disk slot. The pin may be operative to rotate the disk in a plane parallel to the first wall of the housing based on the movement of the button for changing the portion of the first label positioned underneath the track. In some embodiments, the input component may also include a switch coupled to the pin and operative to move in a linear path based on the movement of the button for changing an operational state of the device. 
     According to yet other embodiments, a method for switching a state of a device is provided. The method may include sliding a button in a linear motion along a track, translating the linear motion into a rotational motion, revealing a portion of labels with the rotational motion, and moving a switch with the linear motion. In some embodiments, the translating may include moving a pin with the linear motion along a slot in a rotary disk. The pin may be coupled to the button and the labels may be provided on a surface of the rotary disk. 
     According to yet still other embodiments, a method for assembling an input component is provided. The method may include forming a linear opening through a wall, positioning a button at least partially within the opening, positioning a disk having labels underneath the opening, and providing a pin between the button and a slot in the disk. In some embodiments, the method may also include positioning a circuit board underneath the disk, coupling a switch to the circuit board, coupling a first end of the pin to the button, coupling a second end of the pin to the switch, and positioning a first middle portion of the pin through the slot in the disk. A second middle portion of the pin may be positioned through a passageway in the circuit board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front, right perspective view of an electronic device having a switch assembly, in a first stage of actuation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top elevational view of a portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIG. 1 , in the first stage of actuation, taken from line IIA-IIA of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top elevational view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2A , in the first stage of actuation, taken from line IIB-IIB of  FIG. 2C , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2C  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-2B , in the first stage of actuation, taken from line IIC-IIC of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top elevational view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-2C , similar to  FIG. 2A , but in a second stage of actuation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top elevational view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-3A , similar to  FIG. 2B , but in the second stage of actuation, taken from line IIIB-IIIB of  FIG. 3C , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-3B , similar to  FIG. 2C , but in the second stage of actuation, taken from line IIIC-IIIC of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top elevational view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-3C , similar to  FIGS. 2A and 3A , but in a third stage of actuation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top elevational view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-4A , similar to  FIGS. 2B and 3B , but in the third stage of actuation, taken from line IVB-IVB of  FIG. 4C , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4C  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the portion of the electronic device and switch assembly of  FIGS. 1-4B , similar to  FIGS. 2C and 3C , but in the third stage of actuation, taken from line IVC-IVC of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Methods and apparatus for reducing the space required by a switch assembly are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4C . 
       FIGS. 1-4C  show various portions of an exemplary electronic device  100  including a switch assembly  200  in various stages of actuation. The term “electronic device” can include, but is not limited to, music players, video players, still image players, game players, other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, other media recorders, radios, medical equipment, domestic appliances, transportation vehicle instruments, musical instruments, calculators, cellular telephones, other wireless communication devices, personal digital assistants, remote controls, pagers, computers (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets, servers, etc.), monitors, televisions, stereo equipment, set up boxes, set-top boxes, boom boxes, modems, routers, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to playing music) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that plays music, displays video, stores pictures, and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     Electronic device  100  may generally be any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature electronic device having a switch assembly. Miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held personal media devices, such as an iPod™ Shuffle available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can be integrated into various objects that include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, key chains, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all. 
     Electronic device  100  may include at least one input component (see, e.g., switch assembly  200  of  FIG. 1 ) that can allow a user to manipulate at least one function of the device, at least one output component (see, e.g., output component  300  of  FIG. 1 ) that can provide the user with valuable device generated information, and at least one protective housing (see, e.g., housing  400  of  FIG. 1 ) that can at least partially enclose the one or more input components and the one or more output components of the device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, housing  400  of device  100  can be hexahedral and may include a top wall  402 , a bottom wall (not shown) opposite top wall  402 , a right side wall  404 , a left side wall (not shown) opposite right side wall  404 , a front wall  406 , and a back wall (not shown) opposite front wall  406 . While each of the walls of housing  400  may be substantially flat (see, e.g., top wall  402 ), the contour of one or more of the walls of housing  400  can be at least partially curved, jagged, or any other suitable shape or combination thereof, in order to contour at least a portion of the surface of device  100  to the hand of a user, for example. 
     Generally, housing  400  may be said to have a depth D that may be defined by the lengths of edges  422  and  432  formed by the intersection of top wall  402  with right side wall  404  and the left side wall, respectively. Similarly, housing  400  may be said to have a width W that may be defined by the lengths of edges  426  and  436  formed by the intersection of top wall  402  with front wall  406  and the back wall, respectively. Finally, housing  400  may be said to have a height H that may be defined by the lengths of edges  424  and  434  formed by the intersection of right side wall  404  with front wall  406  and the back wall. It should be noted that housing  400  of device  100  described above is only exemplary and need not be substantially hexahedral, and that, in certain embodiments, the intersects of certain walls may be beveled, and housing  400  itself could generally be formed in any other suitable shape, including, but not limited to, substantially spherical, ellipsoidal, conoidal, octahedral, or a combination thereof, for example. 
     Electronic device  100  can include at least one switch assembly input component  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4C , for example, switch assembly  200  can be a linear sliding switch assembly that may include a linear path or track  212  running along and through a portion of top wall  402  of housing  400 . It is to be understood that track  212  of switch assembly  200  may be provided along and through any portion of any wall or walls of housing  400  and not just top wall  402 . 
     Switch assembly  200  may also include a button  214  that can slide within and along track  212  between at least two button positions to change a functional state of device  100  (e.g., to power the device up or to power the device down). For example, button  214  may slide within track  212  between a first button position adjacent a first end  212 A of track  212  (e.g., first button position  215 A, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C ) and a second button position adjacent a second end  212 C of track  212  (e.g., second button position  215 C, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C ). In such embodiments, a user of device  100  can slide button  214  along track  212 , either in the linear direction of arrow  216 C away from the first button position adjacent first track end  212 A and towards the second button position adjacent second track end  212 C or in the linear direction of arrow  216 A away from the second button position adjacent second track end  212 C and towards the first button position adjacent first track end  212 A. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, button  214  may slide within track  212  from the first button position adjacent first track end  212 A and/or from the second button position adjacent second track end  212 C to a third button position in between first track end  212 A and second track end  212 C (e.g., third button position  215 B, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ) to change a functional state of device  100  (e.g., to hold the device in its current on/off state). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2C-4C , for example, switch assembly  200  may also include a switch or switch box  210  coupled to button  214 . Switch box  210  may be any suitable switching component, such as an electromechanical switching component, that can translate the mechanical movement of button  214  along track  212  into associated electrical signals to be interpreted by other components of electronic device  100  for potentially altering a functional state of device  100 . For example, switch box  210  may include a switch arm  204  and two or more switch contact portions  202  (see, e.g., switch contact portion  202 A of  FIG. 2C , switch contact portion  202 B of  FIG. 3C , and switch contact portion  202 C of  FIG. 4C ). Switch arm  204  may be coupled to button  214  (e.g., via a pin  220 ), and switch arm  204  may move along a switch path between different switch contact portions  202  of switch box  210  when button  214  correspondingly moves between different button positions along track  212 . Each switch contact portion  202  of the switch path of switch box  210  may be electrically coupled to an electronic component (e.g., a processor (not shown)) of device  100 , for example, via a circuit board  450  of device  100 . When button  214  is at a functional button position along track  212 , switch arm  204  may thereby contact a respective switch contact portion  202  associated with that functional button position, and switch box  210  may thereby change the function or logic of an electronic component of device  200  that is electrically coupled to that switch contact portion  202  (e.g., via circuit board  450  coupled to box  210 ). 
     In some embodiments, switch box  210  of switch assembly  200  may be any type of switching component having switch contact portions  202  that may be coupled to button  214  within track  212 , including, but not limited to, a single pole single throw (“SPST”) switch, a single pole double throw (“SPDT”) switch, a single pole center off (“SPCO”) switch, a double pole single throw (“DPST”) switch, a double pole double throw (“DPDT”) switch, a double pole center off (“DPCO”) switch, a maintained contact switch, a momentary contact switch, a fader or limitless contact switch, or combinations thereof. 
     Button  214  of switch assembly  200  can be held within track  212  in various suitable ways such that button  214  may be accessible to a user external to housing  400  for movement along track  212 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-4C , pin  220  may extend up from switch arm  204  of switch box  210  and may support button  214  at least partially within track  212 . Pin  220  may be coupled to switch arm  204  and/or button  214  in any suitable way, including, for example, adhesives, screws, and contact fits between respective component features. Switch contact portions  202  of switch box  210  may be coupled to a stationary or otherwise fixed portion of device  100  with respect to track  212  through housing  400 . For example, switch contact portions  202  may be fixed to portions of a support structure (e.g., circuit board  450 ), which may be fixed to a portion of housing  400 , such that switch arm  204  may move between different switch contact portions  202  in a fixed switch path with respect to housing  400  and, thus, track  212 . Therefore, in some embodiments, the switch path of switch  210  may be linear and may substantially match the geometry of track  212 . 
     Button  214  may be moved by a user to one or more functional button positions  215  along track  212 . A functional button position of button  214  along track  212  may be a position at which switch arm  204  coupled to button  214  via pin  220  may be in functional contact with a specific switch contact portion  202  associated with that functional button position. 
     In some embodiments, functional button positions  215  of button  214  along track  212  may be substantially at each one of track ends  212 A and  212 C of track  212 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , for example, when button  214  is located at a first functional button position  215 A adjacent first track end  212 A, switch arm  204  may be in functional contact with first switch contact portion  202 A of switch box  210 . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , for example, when button  214  is located at a second functional button position  215 C adjacent second track end  212 C, switch arm  204  may be in functional contact with second switch contact portion  202 C of switch box  210 . In some embodiments, first switch contact portion  202 A and second switch contact portion  202 C may be electrically coupled to different electronic components or different portions of a particular electronic component of device  100 , such that the positioning of button  214  by a user in first functional button position  215 A may change a different function or operation of device  100  than the positioning of button  214  in second functional button position  215 C. 
     In some embodiments, switch assembly  200  may additionally or alternatively include one or more functional button positions  215  of button  214  at one or more points along track  212  between first functional button position  215 A and second functional button position  215 C. As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , for example, when button  214  is located at a third functional button position  215 B substantially half way between first track end  212 A and second track end  212 C, switch arm  204  may be in functional contact with third switch contact portion  202 B of switch box  210 . In some embodiments, third switch contact portion  202 B may be electrically coupled to a different electronic component or a different portion of a particular electronic component of device  100  than first switch contact portion  202 A and/or second switch contact portion  202 C, such that the positioning of button  214  by a user in third functional button position  215 B may change a different function or operation of device  100  than the positioning of button  214  in first functional button position  215 A and/or second functional button position  215 C. 
     Switch assembly  200  may also include a rotary disk  230  positioned underneath track  212 . A slot  232  having slot ends  232 A and  232 C may be provided through disk  230  between a bottom surface  235  of disk  230  and a top surface  237  of disk  230 . Disk  230  may be positioned such that top surface  237  may be facing towards track  212 . Pin  220  may extend between button  214  and switch box  210  through slot  232  of disk  230 . As a user slides button  214  along track  212  between track ends  212 A and  212 C, a portion of pin  220  (e.g., button pin portion  224 ) may also slide along track  212 , and a portion of pin  220  (e.g., disk pin portion  226 ) may slide along and within slot  232  of disk  230  underneath track  212  between slot ends  232 A and  232 C. Movement of disk pin portion  226  of pin  220  along and within disk slot  232  may rotate disk  230  underneath track  212  about disk rotational point  234  in one of two rotational directions. The rotational directions in which disk  230  may rotate (e.g., the rotational direction of arrows  236 A and  236 C) may be in a plane that is parallel to the portion of housing  400  providing track  212  (e.g., top wall  402 ). 
     For example, disk  230  may rotate about disk rotational point  234  in the rotational direction of arrow  236 C when button  214  slides along track  212  in the linear direction of arrow  216 C (see, e.g., the corresponding rotation of disc  230  in the direction of arrow  236 C when button  214  slides in the direction of arrow  216 C from button position  215 A of  FIGS. 2A-2C  to button position  215 B of  FIGS. 3A-3C  and/or to button position  215 C of  FIGS. 4A-4C ). As another example, disk  230  may rotate about disk rotational point  234  in the rotational direction of arrow  236 A when button  214  slides along track  212  in the linear direction of arrow  216 A (see, e.g., the corresponding rotation of disc  230  in the direction of arrow  236 A when button  214  slides in the direction of arrow  216 A from button position  215 C of  FIGS. 4A-4C  to button position  215 B of  FIGS. 3A-3C  and/or to button position  215 A of  FIGS. 2A-2C ). Disk  230  and disk rotational point  234  are shown in broken lines in each of  FIGS. 2A ,  3 A, and  4 A to help illustrate the potential physical relationship between track  212 , button  214 , and disk  230  as switch assembly  200  is placed in various stages of actuation. 
     This linear movement of button  214  along track  212  and the corresponding rotational movement of disk  230  underneath track  212  may reveal particular portions of disk  230  to a user through particular portions of track  212 . For example, disk  230  may include top surface  237  facing track  212 . Top surface  237  may include two or more disc surface portions  238 , such as disk surface portion  238 A and disk surface portion  238 C, which may be provided with one or more labels. For example, disk surface portions  238 A and  238 C may be defined by the shape of top surface  237  and a line  233  that may extend through slot  232  and rotational point  234 . Disk surface portion  238 A may include a disk label  239 A and disk surface portion  238 C may include a disk label  239 C. As the user slides button  214  along track  212 , certain portions of certain labels  239  under track  212  may be exposed and made visible to the user through track  212 . In other embodiments, a disk surface portion  238  may not be provided with a label  239 , and the disk surface itself may be revealed through track  212  to convey information. 
     Each label  239  may be associated with a respective functional button position  215  of button  214  and may be positioned underneath, and thus made visible to a user through, an open portion of track  212  when button  214  is in the functional button position associated with that label. Each label  239  may provide any suitable information to a user, including, for example, a value or instruction or color or texture, that may be associated with a functional button position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-4B , disk label  239 A may be represented by the symbol “A” and disk label  239 C may be represented by the symbol “C”. Labels  239  may be sequentially displayed such that only the label associated with a particular button position  215  may be completely visible to a user through track  212  when the button is in the corresponding position. As mentioned, in some embodiments, a disk surface portion  238  may not be provided with a label  239 , and the disk surface itself may be revealed through track  212  to convey information. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , when button  214  is positioned along track  212  at button position  215 A, disk pin portion  226  of pin  220  may be positioned within disk slot  232  such that the rotation of disk  230  with respect to track  212  may position disk label  239 A of disk surface portion  238 A underneath the portion of track  212  not associated with button position  215 A. As shown in  FIG. 2A , disk label  239 A may be exposed through housing  400  by the open portion of track  212  adjacent button  214  (e.g., the portion of track  212  between track end  212 C and button  214  at position  215 A), and disk label  239 C may not be exposed by the open portion of track  212 . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , for example, when button  214  is positioned along track  212  at button position  215 C, disk pin portion  226  of pin  220  may be positioned within disk slot  232  such that the rotation of disk  230  with respect to track  212  may position disk label  239 C of disk surface portion  238 C underneath the portion of track  212  not associated with button position  215 C. As shown in  FIG. 4A , disk label  239 C may be exposed through housing  400  by the open portion of track  212  adjacent button  214  (e.g., the portion of track  212  between track end  212 A and button  214  at position  215 C), and disk label  239 A may not be exposed by the open portion of track  212 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , for example, when button  214  is positioned along track  212  at button position  215 B, disk pin portion  226  of pin  220  may be positioned within disk slot  232  such that the rotation of disk  230  with respect to track  212  may position a portion of both disk label  239 A of disk surface portion  238 A and disk label  239 C of disk surface portion  238 C underneath portions of track  212  not associated with button position  215 C. As shown in  FIG. 3A , a portion of disk label  239 A may be exposed through housing  400  by the open portion of track  212  between track end  212 C and button  214  at position  215 B, while a portion of disk label  239 C may also be exposed through housing  400  by the open portion of track  212  between track end  212 A and button  214  at position  215 B. In other embodiments, labels  239  may be positioned on top surface  237  of disk  230  such that no portion of label  239 A and/or no portion of label  239 C may be exposed through track  212  when button  214  is positioned at button position  215 B. Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  3 A, and  4 A, button  214  may be coupled to button pin portion  224  of pin  220  such that various portions of button pin portion  224  may be visible to the user as button  214  is moved along track  212 . For example, button pin portion  224  of pin  220  may be a flange that can support and surround the bottom of button  214 . 
     Disk  230  of switch assembly  200  can be maintained under track  212  in various suitable ways such that pin  220  may move within disk slot  232  as button  214  slides along track  212 . Disk rotational point  234  may be coupled to a stationary or otherwise fixed portion of device  100  with respect to track  212  through housing  400 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3C , disk rotational point  234  may be fixed to a portion of a support structure (e.g., circuit board  450 ), which may be fixed to a portion of housing  400 , such that disk  230  may rotate in a fixed path with respect to housing  400  and, thus, track  212 . Disk rotational point  234  may extend up from circuit board  450  and may support disk  230  underneath track  212 . In other embodiments, disk rotational point  234  may be coupled to housing  400  and may extend downward from housing  400 , for example, to support disk  230  (see, e.g., disk rotational point  234 ′ of  FIG. 3C ). 
     Moreover, a pad  240  may be provided along at least a portion of a surface of disk  230 . Pad  240  may provide a controlled friction region at one or more points along disk  230  to support disk  230  and to control the rotation of disk  230 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2C-4C , pad  240  may be provided underneath disk  230  between bottom surface  235  of disk  230  and circuit board  450 . In other embodiments, pad  240  may be provided above disk  230  between top surface  237  and housing  400  of device  100  (see, e.g., pad  240 ′ of  FIG. 4C ). For example, pad  240  could be a cylindrical boss of a deliberate radius and material, which may allow for the friction between disk  230  and housing  400  or circuit board  450  to be tuned. Pad  240  may be made from any suitable lubricious material (e.g., Delrin® acetal resin) or any suitable sticky material, for example, such that the “sliding feel” of switch assembly  200  may be deliberately controlled. Moreover, the radius or contact area of pad  240  with respect to disk  230  may be changed (e.g., by a user) to alter the “feel” of the sliding action. 
     As mentioned above, a disadvantage of some conventional switch assemblies is that the labels associated with the various positions of a button often require valuable real estate beyond an end of the track when the button is positioned adjacent that end of the track. However, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4B , labels  239  of switch assembly  200  may rotate away from ends  212 A and  212 C of track  212  in the rotational direction of arrows  236  of disk  230  and may not extend substantially in the linear direction of track  212  beyond track ends  212 A and  212 C. This may allow for the ends of track  212  to be positioned closer to the edges of a wall of electronic device housing  400  or closer to other components within housing  400 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , track  212  of assembly  200  may be centered on top surface  402  of housing  400  between edges  426  and  436 . Track end  212 A and track end  212 C may each be spaced from respective housing edges  426  and  436  by a distance S. In some embodiments, distance S may be in the range of 1.0 millimeter to 1.7 millimeters. In some embodiments, distance S may be in the range of 1.2 millimeters to 1.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, distance S may be about 1.35 millimeters. Of course, distance S can be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. For example, distance S can be less than 1.0 millimeter. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 3A , button  214  may have a width N. In some embodiments, width N may be in the range of 2.0 millimeters to 3.4 millimeters. In some embodiments, width N may be in the range of 2.5 millimeters to 2.9 millimeters. In some embodiments, width N may be about 2.7 millimeters. Of course, width N of button  214  can be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. For example, width N can be less than 2.0 millimeters. 
     Moreover, as also shown in  FIG. 3A , track  212  may have a length K. In some embodiments, length K may be in the range of 4.5 millimeters to 7.3 millimeters. In some embodiments, length K may be in the range of 5.4 millimeters to 6.4 millimeters. In some embodiments, length K may be about 5.9 millimeters. Of course, length K of track  212  can be widely varied and is not limited to these examples. For example, length K can be less than 4.5 millimeters. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2C-4C , for example, electronic device  100  may include circuit board  450 . In some embodiments, circuit board  450  may be any suitable support structure capable of physically supporting one or more components of device  100  (e.g., switch box  210 ). In other embodiments, circuit board  450  may be a central or primary printed circuit board (“PCB”) of electronic device  100 , and may also be known as a main circuit board, motherboard, mainboard, baseboard, system board, planar board, or logic board. Circuit board  450  may provide one or more attachment points to the other electronic components of electronic device  100  (e.g., switch box  210 ). For example, as shown, contact portions  202  of switch box  210  may be coupled to a bottom surface  455  of circuit board  450 , and a portion of pin  220  (e.g., switch pin portion  228 ) may extend through a passageway  451  in circuit board  450  and may couple with switch arm  404  of switch box  210 . In other embodiments, switch box  210  may be coupled to a top surface  457  of circuit board  450  and pin  220  may not extend through circuit board  450 . 
     Generally, most of the basic circuitry and components required for electronic device  100  to function may be onboard or coupled (e.g., via one or more cables, bond pads, leads, terminals, cables, wires, contact regions, etc.) to circuit board  450 . For example, electronic components may be mounted or otherwise coupled to top surface  457  and/or bottom surface  455  of circuit board  450 . Such electronic components may include, but are not limited to, a processor (not shown), a storage device (not shown), communications circuitry (not shown), a bus (not shown), and a power supply (not shown), each of which may be coupled to circuit board  450 , for example. Each component may be electrically coupled to a respective terminal, bond pad, or other type of board contact region of circuit board  450 . Each one of the board contact regions may be coupled to one or more signal planes, vias, or other circuitry (not shown) of circuit board  450 . 
     A bus of device  100  can provide a data transfer path for transferring data, to, from, or between at least the processor, the storage device, and the communications circuitry. A processor of device  100  can control the operation of many functions and other circuitry of device  100 . For example, a processor can receive user inputs from input component  200  and/or input component  350  and drive output component  300 . 
     A storage device of device  100  can include one or more storage mediums, including, for example, a hard-drive, a permanent memory such as read only memory (“ROM”), a semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), or cache, that may store media (e.g., music and video files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish wireless communication with another device or server), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts, television shows, or other media that the user subscribes to), and any other suitable data. 
     Communications circuitry of device  100  can include circuitry for wireless communication (e.g., short-range and/or long-range communication). For example, wireless communication circuitry of device  100  can be Wi-Fi enabling circuitry that permits wireless communication according to one of the 802.11 standards. Other wireless protocol standards could also be used, either in alternative or in addition to the identified protocol. Another network standard may be Bluetooth™. Communications circuitry can also include circuitry that enables device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device. Furthermore, additional electrical components (not shown) can be provided by device  100  for sending and receiving media, including, but not limited to, microphones, amplifiers, digital signal processors (“DSPs”), image sensors (e.g., charge coupled devices (“CCDs”)) or optics (e.g., lenses, splitters, filters, etc.), antennas, receivers, transmitters, transceivers, and the like. 
     In certain embodiments, electronic device  100  may also include at least one user input component that may be of a variety of forms other than that of a switch assembly (see, e.g., switch assembly  200  of  FIGS. 1-4C ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , device  100  may also include one or more additional input components  350  that may take other various forms, including, but not limited to, buttons, keypads, dials, scroll wheels, touch screen displays, electronics for accepting audio and/or visual information, antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof. 
     According to some embodiments, the position of one or more of input components  200  and/or  350  may be widely varied relative to the position of another one or more of input components  200  and/or  350 . For example, they can be adjacent one another or spaced apart. Additionally, each one of the one or more input components  200  and/or  350  can be placed at any external surface (e.g., top, side, front, or back) of housing  400  that may be accessible to a user during manipulation of electronic device  100 . 
     Furthermore, in certain embodiments, each one of the one or more input components  200  and/or  350  of device  100  may be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . By way of example, in the case of a music file player, the switch assembly functions of switch assembly input component  200  can be associated with powering up or down the device, opening or closing a menu, playing or stopping a song, changing a mode, and the like. 
     As mentioned with respect to  FIG. 1 , certain embodiments of electronic device  100  may also include at least one device output component  300  that can provide the user with valuable device generated information. For example, output component  300  may take various forms, including, but not limited to, audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, each one of the one or more switch assembly input components  200  can be integrated with some other input component  350  and/or output component  300  of electronic device  100 , such as switches, push-buttons, keys, dials, trackballs, joysticks, touch pads, touch screens, scroll wheels, displays, microphones, speakers, cameras and the like. Each of these individual interfaces may include switch assemblies either incorporated therein, such as a switch assembly on a joystick, or forming an integral part thereof, such as a switch assembly with a push-button thereon. 
     While there have been described switch assembly input components having labeled rotary disks, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up” and “down,” “front” and “back,” “left” and “right,” “top” and “bottom,” “above” and “under,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of the invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is also to be understood that various types of devices, other than electronic devices, may be provided with one or more switch assemblies of the invention. For example, any mechanical device, such as a board game, may be provided with switch assemblies of the invention. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20090930
Publication Date: 20140617
Grant Date: 20140617
Priority Date: 20090930
Inventors: SHEDLETSKY ANNA-KATRINA
WEISS SAMUEL BRUCE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "F16H25/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H9/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T74/18928", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16H25/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H15/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H9/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 43780142