Electronic device with rotary knob multi-functional control

1. A method for controlling multiple functions of an electronic device using a single control element comprising a switch body having a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator extending from said switch body with lateral and distal surface portions and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator, the method comprising:

controlling a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis in conjunction with a concurrent activation of said pressure sensor;

controlling a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor; and

controlling a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor exclusive of motion of said primary actuator; and

wherein said activation of said pressure sensor further comprises temporarily deforming said lateral surface portions of said primary actuator as a result of said activation force.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

controlling a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

controlling a fifth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a third period of time that is longer than said second period of time.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

controlling a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following at least two activations of said pressure sensor during a second period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing an operational parameter of said electronic device based on said motion of said primary actuator.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting at least one of said first, second, and third functions from the group consisting of an audio volume function, a channel selection function, a mute function, a brightness selection function, an “on/off” function, a play function, a rewind function, a fast forward function, a pause function, a channel recall function, a camera function, a talk group selection function, a media profile selection function, an individual call function, a group call function, an emergency call function, a map selection function, a priority selection function, a user interface selection function and a Push To Talk function.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a control element comprising a switch body adjustable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via a deformation of said lateral surface portions responsive an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and configured to:

(a) control a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) control a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein said controller is further configured to control a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a second period of time.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein said controller is further configured to control a fifth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following said activation of said pressure sensor for a third period of time that is longer than said second period of time.

11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein said controlled is further configured to control a fourth function of said electronic device in response to said motion of said primary actuator following at least two activations of said pressure sensor during a second period of time.

12. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein said controller is further configured to change an operational parameter of said electronic device based on said motion of said primary actuator.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

14. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein at least one of said first, second, and third functions is selected from the group consisting of an audio volume function, a channel selection function, a mute function, a brightness selection function, an “on/off” function, a play function, a rewind function, a fast forward function, a pause function, a channel recall function, a camera function, a talk group selection function, a media profile selection function, an individual call function, a group call function, an emergency call function, a map selection function, a priority selection function, a user interface selection function and a PTT function.

15. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein said hydraulic actuator is substantially rigid in at least a direction of said motion of said primary actuator.

18. An electronic device, comprising:

a control element comprising a switch body adjustable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for adjusting the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor operable via an activation force at one or more portions of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and configured to:

(a) control a first function of said electronic device in response to motion of said primary actuator during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said electronic device in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) control a third function of said electronic device in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator; and

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a substantially rigid frame coupled to said primary actuator and at least partially extending through said hydraulic actuator.

19. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the control element comprises a rotary switch element, and wherein said actuator comprises a knob assembly for said rotary switch element.

20. A radio transceiver, comprising:

one or more radio frequency circuits;

a control element comprising a rotary switch body movable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for moving the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor responsive to a deformation of said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and said radio frequency circuits, wherein the controller is configured to:

(a) control a first function of said radio transceiver in response to motion of said primary actuator about a rotation axis during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said radio transceiver in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) activate a Push to Talk (PTT) function of said radio transceiver in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator.

21. The radio transceiver of claim 20 , wherein said controller is further configured to change an operational parameter of said radio transceiver based on said motion of said primary actuator.

22. The radio transceiver of claim 21 , wherein said operational parameter is selected from the group consisting of a talk group parameter and an audio volume parameter.

23. The radio transceiver of claim 20 , wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator.

24. The radio transceiver of claim 23 , wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator.

25. The radio transceiver of claim 24 , wherein said hydraulic actuator is substantially rigid in at least a direction of said motion of said primary actuator.

26. A radio transceiver, comprising:

one or more radio frequency circuits;

a control element comprising a rotary switch body movable between a plurality of switch positions, a primary actuator with lateral and distal surface portions extending from said switch body and configured for moving the switch body between the plurality of switch positions, and a pressure sensor accessible at said lateral surfaces of said primary actuator; and

at least one controller communicatively coupled to said control element and said radio frequency circuits, wherein the controller is configured to:

(a) control a first function of said radio transceiver in response to motion of said primary actuator during an activation of said pressure sensor,

(b) control a second function of said radio transceiver in response to said motion of a primary actuator of the control element exclusive of said activation of said pressure sensor, and

(c) activate a Push to Talk (PTT) function of said radio transceiver in response to said activation of said pressure sensor for at least a first period of time exclusive of motion of said primary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor comprises at least one secondary actuator and at least one switch selectively activated via motion of said secondary actuator; and

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a hydraulic actuator disposed over said secondary actuator, said hydraulic actuator comprising a deformable fluid filled enclosure configured for transforming a force externally applied to said hydraulic actuator to a hydraulic force for causing said motion of said secondary actuator;

wherein said pressure sensor further comprises a substantially rigid frame coupled to said primary actuator and at least partially extending through said hydraulic actuator.