Apple Inc.
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.