WO2010000281A1

WO2010000281A1 - Input apparatus comprising a touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device

Info

Publication number: WO2010000281A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/005335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sascha Kunzmann
Original assignee: Alps Electric Europe Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-06-30
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Also published as: JP2011526385A; DE112008003914T5; CN102077154A

Abstract

An input apparatus (1 ) comprises a touch sensitive input device (10) configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least a first input functionality, and a rotatable input device (20) having a rotary portion (21) which is rotatable in at least one rotary direction (24) by a user to provide at least a second input functionality, wherein the rotary portion (21) is rotatable independently from the touch sensitive input device (10). The touch sensitive input device (10) is arranged underneath the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device in a manner that the presence, location and/or movement of the user input member is detectable through the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device. The touch sensitive input device (50) may also be arranged adjacent to the rotary portion (61) of the rotatable input device in a manner that the rotary portion is rotatable around side portions (55) of the touch sensitive input device (50).

Description

K 72 605/6

Input apparatus comprising a touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device

The present invention is directed to an input apparatus comprising a touch sensitive input device configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member and a rotatable input device having a rotary portion which is rotatable in at least one rotary direction.

An input apparatus with a touch sensitive input device is commonly used in electronic systems for example to move a cursor on a display screen using motions of a user input member, such as the user's finger. A touch sensitive input device typically includes a sensing region, often marked by a surface, which uses capacitive, resistive, inductive, optical and/or other technology to determine the presence, location and/or motion of the user's finger and/or other objects. The touch sensitive input device can be used to provide an input to the electronic system. For example, touch sensitive input devices or proximity sensor devices are used as input devices for larger computing systems as well as in smaller systems, including mobile systems such as communication systems or media systems.

In US 2007/0120830 A1 there is disclosed an input device which comprises a rotatably supported touchpad which is arranged in a motor vehicle on the vehicle steering wheel, wherein the input device further comprises means for measuring an angle of rotation of the touchpad in relation to a reference system, and means for detecting inputs made on the touchpad taking into account the angle of rotation measured. The device further comprises means for hand- writing recognition which recognizes handwritten inputs on the touchpad such as letter recognition to detect individual letters and characters. For example, commands, place names, street names and/or names for controlling a multimedia center and/or a navigation system can be input via the touchpad. In a particular embodiment, the touchpad is arranged on the horn button of a steering wheel, and in the immediate vicinity of the touchpad a scroll wheel and further

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 push buttons are arranged on the horn button of the steeling wheel with which the vehicle, the multimedia system and/or navigation system can be controlled as a supplement to the touchpad.

With the rotatable touchpad arrangement according to US 2007/0120830 A1 the problem arises that the steering wheel may not be rotated unlimitedly because the touchpad wiring for connecting the touchpad to the electrical system of the vehicle has to go through the inside of the rotating wheel, thus limiting the rotating angle of the steering wheel by its wiring length. Another problem may be that means for measuring an angle of rotation of the touchpad in relation to a reference system are required as a result of the rotation of the steering wheel which causes the touchpad itself to rotate with the steering wheel. This makes it necessary to use appropriate software for calculating the rotation angle and for determining the offset angle of the touchpad. This, however, may decrease the sensing quality of the touchpad and increases the hardware and equipment complexity since it requires a rotation angle detection and offset determination for output of the sensing data from the touchpad.

In US 6 636 197 B1 there is disclosed an input device having a control knob which rotates in a single rotary degree of freedom about an axis extending out of the knob. The disclosed control knob allows additional control functionality for the user in that the knob is able to be moved by the user in one or more directions in a plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an input apparatus which implements a touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device in a compact and less complex manner.

The present invention is directed to an input apparatus having a touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device according to the features of claim 1. Further, the present invention is directed to an input apparatus comprising a touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device according to the features of claim 8. Particular embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

[l:\6\72\72605\080513 NA SR se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 An input apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a touch sensitive input device configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least a first input functionality and a rotatable input device having a rotary portion which is rotat- able in at least one rotary direction by a user to provide at least a second input functionality, wherein the rotary portion is rotatable independently from the touch sensitive input device. Particularly, the touch sensitive input device is non-rotatable. The touch sensitive input device is arranged underneath the rotary portion of the rotatable input device in a manner that the presence, loca- tion and/or movement of the user input member is detectable by the touch sensitive input device through the rotary portion of the rotatable input device.

According to the invention, the input apparatus may implement a non-rotatable touch sensitive input device and a rotatable input device in a compact manner wherein the touch sensitive input device is arranged underneath the rotary portion of the rotatable input device. Further, the invention provides the benefit that the touch sensitive input device may be fixed with respect to the rotary portion of the rotatable input device, so that the touch sensitive input device is not rotated when the rotary portion of the rotatable input device rotates. There- fore, the input apparatus according to the invention does not need any means for measuring an angle of rotation used in the prior art where a touchpad is ro- tatably supported and inputs to the touchpad have to be determined taking into account the measured angle of rotation. Therefore, in the absence of such means for measuring an angle of rotation, the input apparatus of the present in- vention can provide higher accuracy and/or faster signal processing and can be implemented in a less complex manner. Furthermore, the movement of the input apparatus of the invention is not limited in terms of rotation, particularly the rotatable input device is capable of performing endless rotation.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an input apparatus comprising a touch sensitive input device configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least a first input functionality and a rotatable input device having a rotary portion which is rotatable in at least one rotary direction by a user to provide at least a second input functionality, wherein the rotary portion is rotatable inde-

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 pendently from the touch sensitive input device. The touch sensitive input device is arranged adjacent to the rotary portion of the rotatable input device. Particularly, the rotary portion of the rotatable input device comprises a top opening for accessing the touch sensitive input device and is arranged along side portions of the touch sensitive input device in a manner that the rotary portion is rotatable around the side portions, so that particularly the rotary portion does not cover the touch sensitive input device on top of it.

In this embodiment of the invention similar effects may be achieved as set out above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. As such, the touch sensitive input device may be integrated into the rotatable input device in a compact manner wherein the touch sensitive input device may maintain a fixed position in relation to the rotation movement of the rotary portion of the rotatable input device.

In an embodiment of the present invention the touch sensitive input device is mounted on a supporting substrate of the input apparatus and the rotary portion is rotatably mounted with respect to the supporting substrate and rotatable relative to the supporting substrate.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary portion comprises a rotary knob forming a cavity in its inner part, wherein the touch sensitive input device is arranged in the cavity of the rotary knob and the rotary knob is rotatable around the touch sensitive input device.

In a further embodiment the rotary portion of the rotatable input device is push- able and/or pullable by a user in at least one push or pull direction, respectively, transverse to the rotary direction to provide at least a third input functionality, wherein the touch sensitive input device is configured so as to perform a motion in the push and/or pull direction upon movement of the rotary portion in the respective push/pull direction. In this way, advantageously a further input functionality may be provided to the user by pushing and/or pulling the rotary portion of the rotatable input device, wherein the touch sensitive input device does not affect this push/pull movement since it is configured to also perform a

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 motion in the push/pull direction upon movement of the rotary portion in the respective push or pull direction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the rotary portion of the ro- tatable input device is mounted so as to interact with a first resilient member for resetting the rotary portion to its basic position after pushing/pulling thereof, and the touch sensitive input device is mounted so as to interact with a second resilient member for resetting the touch sensitive input device to its basic position after performing the motion in the push/pull direction. Accordingly, for re- setting to their respective basic positions the rotary portion and the touch sensitive input device are independently arranged with respect to a respective resilient member, such as a spring for developing a resetting force against the push/pull direction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary portion of the rotatable input device is held by a first retaining member for holding the rotary portion in a first position after resetting from a pushing/pulling movement, and the touch sensitive input device is held by a second retaining member for holding the touch sensitive input device in a second position after resetting from the motion in the push/pull direction. The first and second retaining members are arranged so that a gap or gliding area is maintained between the rotary portion being in the first position and the touch sensitive input device being in the second position to reduce or eliminate friction between the components. In this way, the rotary portion may still be rotated independently from the touch sens- itive input device after having pushed/pulled the rotary portion in the push/pull direction since a gap is maintained between the two components after resetting thereof from the motion in the push/pull direction.

In a further embodiment of the invention the first retaining member is further arranged as a sliding member for guiding the rotary portion for the motion in the push/pull direction, and/or the second retaining member is further arranged as a sliding member for guiding the touch sensitive input device for the motion in the push/pull direction.

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the rotary portion is a rotary ring knob forming a substantially circular interspace in its inner part, wherein the touch sensitive input device is arranged in the interspace of the rotary ring knob.

The rotary portion of the rotatable input device may be pushable and/or pul- lable by a user in at least one respective push or pull direction transverse to the rotary direction to provide at least a third input functionality, wherein the touch sensitive input device of the second aspect of the invention may be configured so as not to perform a motion in the push/pull direction upon movement of the rotary portion in the push/pull direction.

The input apparatus according to the present invention may implement an embodiment in which the rotary portion of the rotatable input device is further moveable by a user in at least one translational direction transverse to the rotation axis of the rotary portion to provide at least a fourth input functionality, wherein the rotary portion is moveable in the at least one translational direction independently from the touch sensitive input device. According to another embodiment, the touch sensitive input device is configured so as to perform a mo- tion in the at least one translational direction upon movement of the rotary portion in the translational direction.

The touch sensitive input device may comprise a touchpad for detecting a presence, location and/or movement of the user input member. However, other im- plementations of a touch sensitive input device may also be used in connection with the present invention.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the touch sensitive input device is connected to an electrical wiring for transmitting electrical signals from the touch sensitive input device to an electrical circuitry of the input apparatus, wherein the electrical wiring is arranged within a hollow, for example tubular, supporting element arranged within the rotary portion of the rotatable input device for supporting the touch sensitive input device. In this way, the electrical wiring of the touch sensitive input device may not interfere with any rotating parts of the rotatable input device.

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 The invention will now be described with particular reference to the drawings and Figures shown therein which depict non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Particularly,

Figures 1 to 4 show different embodiments of an input apparatus according to the invention in a respective schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the basic principles of the present invention,

Figure 5 shows an exemplary implementation of an input apparatus according to the invention illustrated in a front view and three different cross-sectional views,

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of portions of the embodiment according to Figure 5 from different perspectives.

Figure 7 shows another detailed view of portions of the embodiment according to Figure 5 particularly illustrating embodiments of retaining and resilient members used in an input apparatus of the invention,

Figure 8 shows another detailed view of the tubular supporting element according to the embodiment of Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an input apparatus according to the invention. Particularly, the input apparatus 1 comprises a non-rotatable touch sensitive input device 10 which is configured so as to detect the presence, a location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least an input functionality with detection of the presence, location and/or detection of a movement of the user input member. The touch sensitive input device 10 comprises a supporting element 12 having a touchpad 11 placed on top which is arranged for detecting the user's input member. Generally, the touch sensitive input device 10 may be regarded as a proximity sensor device of the type used in a variety of electronic systems. Such proximity sensor device includes a sens- ing region (such as touch sensitive area 28 depicted in the front view of Figure

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 5) which is placed in the present embodiment on top of touchpad 11. Such sensing region is demarked by a surface which uses capacitive, resistive, inductive, optical, and/or any other technology to determine the presence, location and/or movement of the user input member.

The touch sensitive input device 10 may comprise a touchpad or a touch sensitive display screen, depending on the particular application. For example, the touch sensitive input device 10 may include a capacitive touchpad 11 having one or a plurality of capacitive sensors (or any other type of touchpad sensors, as described above) for measuring any user input, e.g. by using appropriate X- or Y-coordinates, thus detecting respective horizontal, vertical or any other movement directions. According to a particular embodiment, the input apparatus of the invention may comprise appropriate means for handwriting recognition such as letter recognition which may detect individual letters and charac- ters being written on the touchpad 11 for recognizing handwritten inputs on the touchpad. In this regard, the input apparatus may alternatively or additionally be implemented with other input functionality, such as selecting from menus, icons etc.

In Figure 1, the input apparatus 1 further comprises a rotatable input device 20 having a rotary portion 21 which is rotatable in the rotary direction 24 which is substantially horizontal. Particularly, the rotary portion is a rotary knob 21 which forms a cavity 22 in its inner part. As such, the touch sensitive input device 10 is arranged in the cavity 22 of the rotary knob 21 which is rotatable around the touch sensitive input device 10 in the rotary direction 24. The touchpad 11 is connected through an electrical wiring 14 with an electrical circuitry (not shown) of the input apparatus, such as detecting or processing circuitry. The rotary knob 21 is supported by appropriate guidance means 35 for the rotary movement, also commonly known as stator of the rotatable input device 20.

The touch sensitive input device 10, particularly the touchpad 11, is arranged underneath the rotary knob 21, particularly underneath the horizontal top portion of the rotary knob 21. As such, any presence, location and/or movement of the user input member is detectable by the touchpad 11 through the rotary knob 21, particularly through its top portion placed above the touchpad 11. In

[l:\6\72\72605\080513 NA SR se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 an embodiment in which the touchpad 11 is a capacitive touchpad, the top portion of the rotary knob 21 should be of an appropriate thickness, for example less than 2 mm, in order to not exceed the detecting range of the touchpad 11, as further explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 5. In order to ensure an independent rotation of the rotary knob 21 above the touchpad 11, a space, gap or gliding area is maintained between the top portion of the rotary knob 21 and the touchpad 11 which ensures that there is no friction or the like between the two components when the rotary knob rotates above and around the touchpad 11.

In Figure 2, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, an input apparatus 2 comprises a touch sensitive input device 50 which has a touchpad 51 placed on top of a supporting element 52 in a similar manner as explained with reference to Figure 1. As to the particular implement- ation of touchpad 51 similar embodiments may be used as explained above with reference to touchpad 11.

The input apparatus 2 further comprises a rotatable input device 60 having a rotary portion 61 which is rotatable in the rotary direction 24 by a user. Simil- arly as with the rotation of the knob 21 according to Figure 1, with rotation of the rotary portion 61 the input apparatus provides a second input functionality to the user. For example, the user may change between individual tasks of an input menu displayed on a display screen by rotating the rotary knob 21 of Figure 1 or of the rotary portion 61 of Figure 2 in the rotary direction 24 or against the rotary direction 24, as explained for example in US 6 636 197 B1.

The rotary portion 61 of Figure 2 is particularly implemented as a rotary ring knob 61 having a top opening for accessing the touch sensitive input device 50 and forming a substantially circular and open interspace 62 in its inner part, wherein the touch sensitive input device 50 is supported by a supporting element 52 and is arranged in the interspace 62 of the rotary ring knob 61. As such, the ring knob 61 is rotatable independently from the touch sensitive input device 50 which is arranged adjacent to the ring knob 61 in a manner that the ring knob is rotatable around side portions 55 of the touch sensitive input device 50 without interfering with the electrical wiring 54. Above the touchpad

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt) 2008-06-30 10:38 51, there may be arranged an additional non-rotatable lid 63 of the ring knob 61 which is fixedly attached to the touchpad 51 to provide a touch surface. The ring knob 61 is supported by guidance means 35 of the type as explained with reference to Figure 1.

In both embodiments according to Figures 1 and 2, the touch sensitive input device 10 and 50, respectively, is fixedly mounted on a supporting substrate 31 of the input apparatus 1, 2 and the rotary knob 21 and rotary ring knob 61 is ro- tatably mounted with respect to the supporting substrate 31 and rotatable relat- ive to the supporting substrate 31.

In Figure 3, another embodiment of the invention is shown which provides a third input functionality to the user. Particularly, the first input functionality provided by the touchpad 11 and the second input functionality provided by ro- tation of the rotary knob 21 around the touchpad 11 are supplemented by a third input functionality provided by pushing the rotary knob 21 in a push direction 23 together or without the touchpad 11 which is transverse to the rotary direction 24. For example, by pushing the rotary knob 21 in the push direction 23 perpendicular to the rotary direction 24 the user may select a particular func- tion displayed on the display screen, thus providing a commonly known confirmation-functionality.

In order to perform this function, the rotary knob 21 is mounted so as to interact with a first resilient member 32 for resetting the knob 21 to its basic position after pushing thereof. For example, the resilient member 32 may be a spring such as a leaf spring, flat spring or coil spring placed underneath the side portions of the knob 21 which causes recovery forces which act in the direction against the push direction 23. Since the gap or interspace between the top portion of the knob 21 and the touchpad 11 may be not enough for compensating the pushing movement in the push direction 23 of the knob 21, the touch sensitive input device 10 is configured so as to also perform a motion in the push direction 23 upon movement of the knob 21 in the push direction 23. The resetting of the touch sensitive input device 10 to its basic position may be accomplished by a second resilient member 33 for resetting the touch sensitive input device to its basic position after performing the motion in the push direction 23.

(l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 Similarly to the resilient member 32 the resilient member 33 may be implemented as a spring such as a leaf spring or a flat spring for generating appropriate counterforces against pushing in the push direction 23.

In Figure 4, there is illustrated another embodiment of an input apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention providing a fourth input functionality to the user. For providing such fourth input functionality, the rotary knob 21 is moveable by the user in at least one translational direction 26 transverse to the rotation axis 27 (Figure 5) of the knob 21, which translational direction 26 may be perpendicular to the rotation axis. In other words, the rotary knob 21 may be pushed sideways and/or may be tilted, for example for switching between different tasks of an input menu displayed on a display screen. For resetting the rotatable input device to its basic position, again resilient members 34 in the form of appropriate springs may be used which are attached on the one hand to the fixed touch sensitive input device 10 and on the other hand to the stator 35 which is reset to its basic position upon the corresponding spring forces as shown schematically in Figure 4.

The rotary knob 21 may be moveable in the translational direction 26 independ- ently from the touch sensitive input device 10, which is fixed to the supporting substrate 31. According to another embodiment, the touch sensitive input device 10 may be configured so as to perform a motion in a translational direction upon movement of the rotary knob 21 in a translational direction, which may be the same or may be different, e.g. when lifting or tilting the knob. In this case, the touch sensitive input device 10 is appropriately mounted on the supporting substrate 31.

Both embodiments shown with respect to Figures 3 and 4 may, in principle, also be implemented with respect to an input apparatus 2 as basically shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 5 there is shown an exemplary implementation of the input apparatus 1 as basically explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, illustrated in a front view and three different cross-sectional views designated as A-A, B-B and C-C

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odtl 2008-06-30 10:38 depending on the respective cut as shown in the left hand side front view of Figure 5.

As particularly depicted in cross-sectional views A-A and C-C the rotary knob 21 is coupled with a rotor portion of the rotatable input device, which rotor portion 29 is rotatably mounted with respect to the stator 35 fixed to the supporting substrate 31. For example, the rotor 29 may comprise a L-shaped ring which rotates in an appropriate groove formed by stator 35. As shown in cross- sectional view C-C, the knob 21 is attached to the rotor 29 by a retaining mem- ber 25 which is also arranged as a sliding member for guiding the knob 21 in perpendicular direction to the supporting substrate 31 in the push direction 23 as explained above. On top of the retaining member 25 there is arranged a lug or stud for holding the knob 21 in a top position after resetting from a pushing movement against the spring 32. As shown in cross-sectional view B-B the sup- porting element in the form of a tubular drum 12 in this specific embodiment is held by another retaining member 13 for holding the touch sensitive input device, particularly the touchpad 11, in a top position after resetting from the motion in the push direction 23 by the spring forces exerted by spring 33. The second retaining member 13 is also arranged as a sliding member for guiding the touch sensitive input device 10 for the motion in the push direction. On top of the retaining member 13, there is provided a lug or stud which engages a corresponding flange 15 arranged circularly around the tubular drum 12, wherein the flange 15 is pushed against the retaining member 13 by the spring 33.

The retaining members 13 and 25 are arranged in a manner that a gap 41 is maintained between the top portion of knob 21 and the top surface of the touchpad 11 when both knob 21 and touch sensitive input device 10 are positioned in the respective top positions. Such gap 41, as shown in cross-sectional view A-A, may be for example 0.2 mm whereas the top portion of knob 21 has a thickness of 1.8 mm, so that a typical sensing coverage of 2 mm of the touch- pad 11 is not exceeded.

Figures 6 to 8 show other embodiments of the invention, particularly show por- tions of the implementation of an input apparatus according to Figure 5. Figure

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 6 particularly shows the implementation of the retaining and resilient members 13, 32 and 33. The retaining members 13 are shown in engagement with the flange 15 of the tubular supporting drum 12 which supports the touchpad 11 and which is positioned on springs 33. As shown in Figure 6, the springs 32 and 33 are implemented forming a continuous spring element, but may also be implemented as separate springs which are not connected with each other. Under the supporting drum 12, there is placed one or multiple switches 36 which may be actuated upon a corresponding pushing movement of the rotary knob 21 which also acts on the touchpad 11 and the supporting drum 12 for providing a respective input functionality. Figure 7 shows the retaining members 13 and the springs 32, 33 as well as switch 36 placed on supporting substrate 31 without the touch sensitive input device.

In Figure 8, an embodiment is illustrated according to which the electrical wir- ing 14 of the touch sensitive input device 10 is arranged within the tubular supporting drum 12 which ensures that the wiring 14 does not interfere with any rotation or pushing movement of the rotatable input device and/or the touch sensitive input device. This enables the knob to rotate unlimitedly with very simple means without using sliders or near-field communication such as in- ductive or capacitive coupling which usually increases complexity.

The input apparatus according to the invention can also be used for a single or multi-directional sliding, pushing or lifting movement together or without the touchpad from a neutral position against spring elements to create a slide or tilt function which automatically returns to a neutral position.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or combinations of embodiments may be made and equivalents may be substi- tuted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38

Claims

K 72 605/6Claims

1. An input apparatus (1) comprising

- a touch sensitive input device (10) configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least a first input functionality,

- a rotatable input device (20) having a rotary portion (21) which is rotatable in at least one rotary direction (24) by a user to provide at least a second input functionality, wherein the rotary portion (21) is rotatable independently from the touch sensitive input device (10),

- wherein the touch sensitive input device (10) is arranged underneath the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device in a manner that the presence, location and/or movement of the user input member is detectable through the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device.

2. The input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive input device (10) is mounted on a supporting substrate (31) of the input apparatus (1) and the rotary portion (21) is rotatably mounted with respect to the supporting substrate and rotatable relative to the supporting substrate.

3. The input apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotary portion comprises a rotary knob (21) forming a cavity (22) in its inner part, wherein the touch sensitive input device (10) is arranged in the cavity (22) of the rotary knob and the rotary knob (21) is rotatable around the touch sensitive input device (10).

4. The input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

- the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device is pushable and/or pullable by a user in at least one push or pull direction (23), respectively, transverse to the rotary direction (24) to provide at least a third input functionality,

(l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt) 2008-06-30 10:38 - wherein the touch sensitive input device (10) is configured so as to perform a motion in the push and/or pull direction (23) upon movement of the rotary portion (21) in the respective push/pull direction.

5. The input apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

- the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device is mounted so as to interact with a first resilient member (32) for resetting the rotary portion to its basic position after pushing/pulling thereof,

- the touch sensitive input device (10) is mounted so as to interact with a second resilient member (33) for resetting the touch sensitive input device to its basic position after performing the motion in the push/pull direction (23).

6. The input apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein

- the rotary portion (21) of the rotatable input device is held by a first retaining member (25) for holding the rotary portion in a first position after resetting from a pushing/pulling movement,

- the touch sensitive input device (10) is held by a second retaining member (13) for holding the touch sensitive input device in a second position after resetting from the motion in the push/pull direction (23), - wherein the first and second retaining members (25, 13) are arranged so that a gap (41) is maintained between the rotary portion (21) being in the first position and the touch sensitive input device (10) being in the second position.

7. The input apparatus according to claim 6, wherein - the first retaining member (25) is further arranged as a sliding member for guiding the rotary portion (21) for the motion in the push/pull direction (23),

- the second retaining member (13) is further arranged as a sliding member for guiding the touch sensitive input device (10) for the motion in the push/pull direction (23).

8. An input apparatus (2) comprising

- a touch sensitive input device (50) configured so as to detect a presence, location and/or movement of a user input member to provide at least a first input functionality,

[l:\6\72\72605\080513 NA SR se.odtl 2008-06-30 10:38 - a rotatable input device (60) having a rotary portion (61) which is rotatable in at least one rotary direction (24) by a user to provide at least a second input functionality, wherein the rotary portion (61) is rotatable independently from the touch sensitive input device (50), - wherein the rotary portion (61) of the rotatable input device comprises a top opening for accessing the touch sensitive input device (50) and is arranged along side portions (55) of the touch sensitive input device in a manner that the rotary portion is rotatable around the side portions (55).

9. The input apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotary portion is a rotary ring knob (61) forming a substantially circular interspace (62) in its inner part, wherein the touch sensitive input device (50) is arranged in the interspace (62) of the rotary ring knob.

10. The input apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein

- the rotary portion (61) of the rotatable input device is pushable and/or pullable by a user in at least one push or pull direction (23), respectively, transverse to the rotary direction (24) to provide at least a third input functionality,

- wherein the touch sensitive input device (50) is configured so as to perform or not to perform a motion in the push/pull direction upon movement of the rotary portion (61) in the push/pull direction.

11. The input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein - the rotary portion (21, 61) of the rotatable input device is movable by a user in at least one translational direction (26) transverse to the rotation axis (27) of the rotary portion to provide at least a fourth input functionality,

- wherein the rotary portion (21, 61) is movable in the at least one translational direction (26) independently from the touch sensitive input device (10, 50).

12. The input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein

- the rotary portion (21, 61) of the rotatable input device is movable by a user in at least one translational direction (26) transverse to the rotation axis (27) of the rotary portion to provide at least a fourth input functionality,

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38 - wherein the touch sensitive input device (10, 50) is configured so as to perform a motion in the at least one translational direction (26) upon movement of the rotary portion in the translational direction.

13. The input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the touch sensitive input device (10, 50) comprises a touchpad (11, 51 ) for detecting the presence, location and/or movement of the user input member.

14. The input apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the touch sensitive input device (10, 50) is connected to an electrical wiring (14, 54) for transmitting electrical signals from the touch sensitive input device, wherein the electrical wiring is arranged within a hollow supporting element (12) arranged within the rotary portion (21, 61) of the rotatable input device for supporting the touch sensitive input device.

[l:\6\72\72605\080513_NA_SR_se.odt] 2008-06-30 10:38