To prevent an erroneous operation and improve operability, a button device and a timepiece including the button device are provided. The button device includes: a cylindrical first guide protector 11 protruding from the lateral face of a wristwatch case 1; and a first button 12 disposed in the first guide protector 11 to be slidable inward and outward of the wristwatch case 1. The first button 12 includes a first button head 13 disposed in the first guide protector 11, and a first button shaft 15 passing through a first through hole 14 of the wristwatch case 1. The first button head 13 is inclined obliquely upward relative to the lateral face of the wristwatch case 1. The first guide protector 11 protects the outer periphery of the first button head 13, and this prevents accidental and erroneous operation of the first button 12. The first button head 13 is inclined obliquely upward relative to the lateral face of the wristwatch case 1, and this allows the user to easily place a fingertip on the outer end face of the first button head 13, and so improves the operability of the first button 12.

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

A timepiece movement includes a photovoltaic cell which is attached to the upper surface of a support plate, preferably by adhesive bonding. On the other side of the cell, on its lower surface, the support plate is provided with a plurality of nuts. An electrical module including a flat surface is attached to the support plate with the nuts. The module is provided with several openings whose position and dimensions correspond to those of the nuts, so that the nuts pass through the openings, allowing the flat surface of the module to be placed in contact with the support plate. The module is secured to the support plate by screws, screwed into the nuts. The connection via the nuts secures the photovoltaic cell to the electrical module and ensures shock resistance, without requiring a lateral support.

A watch includes a control member, for example a crown or a head of a push-piece, which is mounted in a resilient manner on the outer end of an elongated element projecting outside the middle, such that a user can tilt in a self-reverting manner the control member in two dimensions orthogonal and perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element. At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this proximity sensor to produce an electric signal that represents the tilting of the control member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. A processor generates at least one instruction on the basis of the electric signal provided by at least one proximity sensor, for example to allow the user to browse a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, and a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, and a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.

The present disclosure generally relates to interacting with an electronic device without touching a display screen or other physical input mechanisms. In some examples, the electronic device performs an operation in response to a positioning of a user's hand and/or an orientation of the electronic device.

Clock with mechanical movement motif that incorporates a clock movement with a movement of a selected mechanical part. The clock may be wall mounted or may include an upright stand having a base and an attachment to a mounting frame. The mounting frame includes an adapter flange for attachment of a clock works mechanism. The movement shafts of the clock mechanism are carried through an aperture extending through a face of the mounting frame. A front face of the mounting frame includes a spindle with index notches for cooperative engagement with a clock face. A bushing has an inner diameter that is adapted to be rotationally carried on the shouldered region of the spindle. An outer diameter of the bushing is adapted to carry a bore of a mechanical part. A motor and drive sprocket are coupled to the bushing for rotation of the mechanical part about the spindle.

An input mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a rotational manipulation mechanism, such as a cap or shaft. The input mechanism also includes a sensor having first capacitive elements coupled to the manipulation mechanism, second capacitive elements, and a dielectric positioned between the first and second capacitive elements. Movement of the manipulation mechanism alters the positions of the first and second capacitive elements with respect to each other and is determinable based on capacitance changes resulting therefrom. In some implementations, the second capacitive elements may be part of an inner ring or partial ring nested at least partially within an outer ring or partial ring.

A watch including a control member that is able to manage at least one first function of the watch and at the same time to control one or more additional electronic functions. The control member, for example a crown or a push-piece head, is mounted on the elongate element defining a central axis and passing through a wall of the watch middle. At least one strain gauge is mounted around the elongate element and arranged so as to produce an electrical signal representing a radial force exerted by the elongate element on the strain gauge when a user laterally exerts a force on the control member. A processor generates at least one command on the basis of the electrical signal, for example to enable the user to navigate in a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.