Magnetic ball joystick
US5969520A · kind A · utility
45Cited by
11References
6Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20201
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A joystick mechanism includes a housing, a substantially spherical magnetic ball rotatably mounted on the housing, a joystick shaft attached to the magnetic ball, and a pair of magnetic effect sensors operatively positioned adjacent the magnetic ball. The sensors, which are positioned along the x and y axes, are aimed perpendicular to each other and the z axis. Thereby, movement of the joystick and the ball causes a change in the magnetic field which is measured and indicated by the sensors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.