A drive unit for driving a passive element relative to an active element includes a resonator and excitation device, at least a first arm including, at an outer end of the arm, a first contact element that is movable by way of oscillating movements of the first arm, thereby driving the passive element relative to the active element. The passive element includes a first contact area, arranged to be in contact with a first contact element of the first arm. A magnetic element is arranged to exert a magnetic force causing a relative force between the active element and passive element, whereby the first contact area is pressed against the first contact element with a pre-stress force.

A portable object including a control stem, actuation of which in rotation can control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring driven in rotation by the control stem, rotation of the magnetized ring and position of the magnetized ring being detected by two inductive sensors configured to be sensitive to a variation in magnetic induction in only two directions in space that are parallel to each other or that converge on a same point, with exception of a case in which these two directions are perpendicular to each other.

A device for controlling the functions of a watch, which includes a crown connected to a stem, an optical action system actuated in one position of the stem from among three possible positions to determine the direction of rotation of the stem, and an electronic mechanical arrangement for controlling the functions. A guide element can rotate on a support and which has a rounded end in an annular groove of the stem to be driven in rotation, and a selection part can rotate on the support above the annular groove to be driven in rotation. The selection part includes at least one contactor for contacting a first electrical terminal on a printed circuit board in a first position of the stem, with no electrical contact in a second position of the stem, and for contacting a second electrical terminal in a third position of the stem.

A switch device including a base member provided with a stem insertion hole, an operation member which has an engaging groove provided in an outer circumferential surface thereof, and is slidably and rotatably inserted into the stem insertion hole of the base member, a stopper member having an engaging portion which is arranged in the engaging groove of the operation member and moved along with sliding of the operation member, and a release member which releases the engaging portion from the engaging groove, in which the release member includes a pressing portion which is operated from one surface side of the base member so as to release the engaging portion from the engaging groove.

A device for controlling the functions of a watch, which includes a crown connected to a stem, an optical action system actuated in one position of the stem from among three possible positions to determine the direction of rotation of the stem, and an electronic mechanical arrangement for controlling the functions. A guide element can rotate on a support and which has a rounded end in an annular groove of the stem to be driven in rotation, and a selection part can rotate on the support above the annular groove to be driven in rotation. The selection part includes at least one contactor for contacting a first electrical terminal on a printed circuit board in a first position of the stem, with no electrical contact in a second position of the stem, and for contacting a second electrical terminal in a third position of the stem.

An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a rotatable mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises sense electrode positioned proximate to the mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a capacitive sense circuit comprising drive circuitry operatively coupled to the mechanical input mechanism and configured for driving a drive signal onto the mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a capacitive sense circuit comprising sense circuitry operatively coupled to the sense electrode and configured to measure an amount of coupling between the rotatable mechanical input mechanism and the sense electrode. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a housing, wherein the sense electrode is included in a gasket for connecting a display to the housing.

A wearable device, and a notification system and a notification method thereof are provided. The wearable device includes a rotatable ring, multiple switches, and a communication module. The wearable device obtains a control signal by rotating the rotatable ring to trigger part of the switches, and transmits a mode signal to an electronic apparatus in response to the control signal. After receiving the mode signal, the electronic apparatus switches to a corresponding mode.

An electronic device is disclosed. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a rotatable mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises sense electrode positioned proximate to the mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a capacitive sense circuit comprising drive circuity operatively coupled to the mechanical input mechanism and configured for driving a drive signal onto the mechanical input mechanism. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a capacitive sense circuit comprising sense circuitry operatively coupled to the sense electrode and configured to measure an amount of coupling between the rotatable mechanical input mechanism and the sense electrode. In some examples, the electronic device comprises a housing, wherein the sense electrode is included in a gasket for connecting a display to the housing.

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.

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.