Patent ID: 7440290
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A control system, comprising: an electrical circuit portion having a plurality of electrical components; a variable resistance element connectable with the electrical circuit portion and having a plurality of resistance values; an input mechanism connectable with the variable resistance element and having a plurality of input positions, wherein the plurality of input positions represents circular positions ranging from zero degrees (0°) to three hundred sixty degrees (360°) relative to a center of the input mechanism, the input mechanism operable at each of the plurality of input positions to connect the variable resistance element to the electrical circuit portion with a predetermined one of the plurality of resistance values; and a control signal producible by a connection between the electrical circuit portion and the variable resistance element, the control signal selectable from a plurality of control signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of input positions; wherein the input mechanism comprises a navigational key-tiltable on a ball member in a plurality of directions each corresponding to one of the plurality of input positions, and wherein the control signal comprises a signal associated with a selected one of the plurality of directions, and an output mechanism having a plurality of outputs each associated with a predetermined one of the plurality of control signals, wherein the output mechanism is operable to receive the control signal and generate the predetermined one of the plurality of outputs.