Operator control element for electronic equipment used for actuating sensors and a method for selecting functions contained in an electronic memory and for displaying the selected function using a cursor
First Claim
1. Control element for electronic appliances for the actuation of sensors for selecting and invoking functions stored in an electronic memory and for the display of the selected functions by means of a cursor on an electronic appliance, wherein the control element (11) is shaped disc-like and is tiltable around an axis (14) perpendicular to the surface (20) of the control element (11) and is equipped with sensors (18) reacting to pulling and/or compressive stress at its underside (16), the control element (11) being equipped at its underside (16) with spring elements (17) reacting to compressive stress arranged like a ring coaxially with a defined distance around the axis (14).
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Abstract
Operator control element for electronic equipment used for actuating sensors and a method for selecting functions contained in an electronic memory and for displaying the selected function using a cursor The task to develop a control element for actuating sensors as well as a method for the selection of functions contained in an electronic memory by means of the control element and for the cursor display of the functions selected with the control element was solved by having a control element shaped like a disc and being tiltable across an axis vertical to the surface of the control element and equipped with sensors reacting to a push or pull strain at the underside, the control element at its underside being equipped with ring-shaped spring elements that react to pressure and are coaxially arranged in a specified distance to its axis.
37 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. Control element for electronic appliances for the actuation of sensors for selecting and invoking functions stored in an electronic memory and for the display of the selected functions by means of a cursor on an electronic appliance, wherein the control element (11) is shaped disc-like and is tiltable around an axis (14) perpendicular to the surface (20) of the control element (11) and is equipped with sensors (18) reacting to pulling and/or compressive stress at its underside (16), the control element (11) being equipped at its underside (16) with spring elements (17) reacting to compressive stress arranged like a ring coaxially with a defined distance around the axis (14).
- 12. Method to actuate a sensor by means of a disc-shaped, fixed control element that is tiltable around an axis (14) perpendicular to the surface, wherein a light pressure with a finger onto the edge of the disc-like control element (11) moves it against a soft spring force (less than 40 grams) a bit downside, so that the perpendicular of the disc-shaped control element (11) is slightly moved into the direction of the actuation, this tilt being evaluated by means of force or tilt sensors in order to determine the position of the actuation of the control element (11), where a circular movement of the finger around the axis (14) on the surface (20) of the control element (11) leads to different directions of the tilt, which are recognized as a rotation and led to a micro processor that brings on a cursor movement according to the direction of the finger movement on the surface of the control element.
Specification