Multifunction joystick apparatus and a method for using same
US10073488B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05G2009/04759
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A joystick apparatus has a housing and a printed circuit board in the housing. A shaft is pivotably connected to a U-joint assembly to allow movement of the shaft relative to the center position within a circle. A concentric reduced power zone circle is associated with the circle. Operation of the joystick within the reduced power zone circle uses less power than operation outside of the reduced power zone. A knob and a magnet are located on the shaft. A Hall effect integrated circuit detects movement of the magnet in response to corresponding movement of the shaft by a user and generates a corresponding proportional joystick output signal indicative of a direction and an extent of rotation of the shaft. A multifunction joystick control system has a joystick configured to provide multiple operational modalities on a joystick. An electrical interface connects the joystick apparatus and the host central processing unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.