Patent ID: 7373229

Claim:
A control apparatus for a vehicle characterized by a plurality of variable characteristics, the control apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical wheel being selectively rotatable about a first axis and selectively pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; at least one input member being selectively manipulable; a controller operatively connected to the wheel and said at least one input member; wherein the control apparatus is configured such that said at least one input member is manipulable to cause the controller to alternate between first and second modes of operation; wherein the control apparatus is configured such that pivoting the wheel in the first mode causes the controller to alternate between first and second submodes of operation, and pivoting the wheel in the second mode causes the controller to alternate between third and fourth submodes of operation; wherein the controller is configured to alter a first of said plurality of variable characteristics in response to rotation of the wheel in the first submode, a second of said plurality of variable characteristics in response to rotation of the wheel in the second submode, a third of said plurality of variable characteristics in response to rotation of the wheel in the third submode, and a fourth of said plurality of variable characteristics in response to rotation of the wheel in the fourth mode.