Input unit for a data processing system, e.g. a mobile phone or portable computer, e.g. for selection of commands or menu options, has a circular rotating operating element with a magnetic assembly which provides haptic feedback

摘要

Input unit (TB) for a data processing system has the following: a circular rotating operating element (BE), which is rotated to generate control signals for the data processing system, a circular structure (RS) contained within the operating element and having a multiplicity of recesses (VT) along its circumference, a magnetic sphere that can be moved between and held in the recesses and a magnetic element (EM) outside the operating element that attracts the sphere and so provides a magnetic resistance to the rotation of the operating element. The invention also relates to a corresponding data processing system, especially a mobile phone or portable computer.