Patent ID: 7450108
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: G05G,G06F

Abstract:
1. An operator control unit for operating a multimedia system in a motor vehicle, comprising: a mounting element connectable to a housing; an operator control element movably arranged relative to said mounting element for actuating movement of a cursor representable on a screen of the multimedia system, said operator control element being rotatable about an axis of rotation and movable along the axis of rotation, said operator control element being latchable at first and second positions along the axis of rotation, and said operator control element when latched in one of said first and second positions being displaceable only within a planar area orthogonal with the axis of rotation; and a touchpad integrated in said operator control element and defining an area orthogonal to the axis of rotation such that said operator control element and said touch pad are moveable in unison alone the axis of rotation and said touch pad is latchable at different orthogonal areas relative to the axis of rotation corresponding to the first and second positions, said touch pad being operable to at least one of recognize script or perform further cursor movements.