EP0936529B1 - Computer joystick - Google Patents

Computer joystick Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0936529B1
EP0936529B1 EP19980102273 EP98102273A EP0936529B1 EP 0936529 B1 EP0936529 B1 EP 0936529B1 EP 19980102273 EP19980102273 EP 19980102273 EP 98102273 A EP98102273 A EP 98102273A EP 0936529 B1 EP0936529 B1 EP 0936529B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
joystick
shafts
housing
joystick handle
processor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19980102273
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0936529A1 (en
Inventor
Shu-Ming Liu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Transpacific Plasma LLC
Original Assignee
Transpacific Plasma LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Transpacific Plasma LLC filed Critical Transpacific Plasma LLC
Priority to DE69836619T priority Critical patent/DE69836619T2/en
Priority to EP19980102273 priority patent/EP0936529B1/en
Publication of EP0936529A1 publication Critical patent/EP0936529A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0936529B1 publication Critical patent/EP0936529B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G9/053—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member comprising a ball
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/0474—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
    • G05G2009/04759—Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a computer joystick of the kind specified in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Computer joysticks are usually used as two-dimensional pointing control systems which employ a rotatable joystick handle to continuously generate two-dimensional vector signals each representing a current position of the joystick handle.
  • the vector signals generated by a joystick are different from the displacement signals generated by a mouse which indicate the amount and direction of each displacement of the mouse instead of a position of the mouse.
  • a conventional computer joystick usually comprises a housing, a joystick handle rotatably installed in the housing for driving two rotatable shafts inside the housing, two position detectors consisting of variable resistors to detect rotation angles of the two shafts, and a control circuit connected to the two position detectors for generating vector signals to indicate the rotation angles of the two shafts which indicate the current position of the joystick handle.
  • One major drawback of the conventional computer joystick is that the two variable resistors can easily be damaged by frequent or forceful use of the joystick handle. Also, inaccurate values of the rotation angles of the two shafts may be reported by the two variable resistors when they are damaged by frictional forces exerted inside thereof.
  • a computer joystick according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-5 561 445.
  • the present invention as claimed aims at providing a computer joystick not subject to wear or inaccurate indications caused by friction or damage due to forceful use or by errors accumulated in stored coordinates.
  • the sensors are optical sensors, there are optically readable rotation indication elements, a predetermined reference position is stored in said memory and a calibrating button is installed on said housing and wired to said processor for causing said processor to set said predetermined reference position as the starting coordinates of said joystick handle.
  • the computer joystick 10 shown in the Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a housing 12 with an opening 16 at its top, a joystick handle 14 tiltably installed in the opening 16 and tiltable within an angle 18, and a calibrating button 15 for calibrating the indication of the position of the joystick handle 14.
  • a joystick mechanism 20 contained in the housing 12 includes two optical sensors 42 and 44 and a control circuit 48.
  • the joystick mechanism 20 comprises two mutually perpendicular shafts 38 and 40 rotatably installed inside the housing 12 for measuring rotations of the joystick handle 14 in X and Y directions, the joystick handle 14 rotatably mounted in the opening 16 by a ball-shaped knob 22 on the middle portion of the joystick handle, a hemispherical engaging element 24 connected to the bottom of the joystick handle 14 for frictionally engaging the two shafts 38 and 40, and a plurality of coil springs 32 installed between the engaging element 24 and the housing 12 for maintaining the joystick handle 14 in an upright position.
  • the two optical sensors 42 and 44 are installed in the housing 12 next to two perforated discs 41 and 43 mounted on shaft 38 and 40, respectively, for detecting rotations of the shafts 38 and 40 and generating corresponding displacement signals.
  • the control circuit 48 comprises a memory 50 for storing coordinates indicating the position of the joystick handle 14, and a processor 54 wired to the two optical sensors 42 and 44 for updating the coordinates according to the displacement signals so that the coordinates stored in the memory 50 always indicate the current position of the joystick handle 14.
  • the processor 54 further generates vector signals according to the coordinates to indicate the current position of the joystick handle 14 and transmits the vector signals to a connected computer (not shown) through an output port 52.
  • the hemispherical engaging element 24 When the upper end of the joystick handle 14 is tilted by a hand, the hemispherical engaging element 24 will cause corresponding rotations of the two shafts 38 and 40 and the two optical sensors 42 and 44 will generate corresponding displacement signals for the X and Y directions.
  • the processor 54 will calculate therefrom displacements ⁇ X and ⁇ Y, and update the coordinates stored in the memory 50 so that the current position of the joystick handle 14 can be maintained. Meanwhile, the processor 54 continues to supply vector signals to the output port 52 according to the position of the joystick handle 14 stored in the memory 50.
  • the coordinate storage in the memory 50 can be calibrated. Besides that, the joystick 10 should be calibrated upon power on to set initial coordinates in the memory 50.
  • One method to calibrate the coordinate storage of the joystick handle 14 in the memory 50 is to set the coordinate storage to a start position such as (0,0) when the joystick handle 14 is in an upright position with no external force exerted on it and then to depress the calibrating button 15, whereupon the processor 54 will immediately set the coordinate storage to (0, 0).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Description

  • The present invention relates to a computer joystick of the kind specified in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Computer joysticks are usually used as two-dimensional pointing control systems which employ a rotatable joystick handle to continuously generate two-dimensional vector signals each representing a current position of the joystick handle. The vector signals generated by a joystick are different from the displacement signals generated by a mouse which indicate the amount and direction of each displacement of the mouse instead of a position of the mouse.
  • A conventional computer joystick usually comprises a housing, a joystick handle rotatably installed in the housing for driving two rotatable shafts inside the housing, two position detectors consisting of variable resistors to detect rotation angles of the two shafts, and a control circuit connected to the two position detectors for generating vector signals to indicate the rotation angles of the two shafts which indicate the current position of the joystick handle. One major drawback of the conventional computer joystick is that the two variable resistors can easily be damaged by frequent or forceful use of the joystick handle. Also, inaccurate values of the rotation angles of the two shafts may be reported by the two variable resistors when they are damaged by frictional forces exerted inside thereof.
  • A computer joystick according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-5 561 445.
  • The present invention as claimed aims at providing a computer joystick not subject to wear or inaccurate indications caused by friction or damage due to forceful use or by errors accumulated in stored coordinates.
  • This is achieved by the present invention as claimed in claim 1 in that the sensors are optical sensors, there are optically readable rotation indication elements, a predetermined reference position is stored in said memory and a calibrating button is installed on said housing and wired to said processor for causing said processor to set said predetermined reference position as the starting coordinates of said joystick handle.
  • In the following the invention will be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
    • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a computer joystick according to the present invention,
    • Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of the computer joystick shown in Fig. 1, and
    • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the control circuit and two optical sensors of the joystick shown in the Figs. 1 and 2.
  • The computer joystick 10 shown in the Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a housing 12 with an opening 16 at its top, a joystick handle 14 tiltably installed in the opening 16 and tiltable within an angle 18, and a calibrating button 15 for calibrating the indication of the position of the joystick handle 14.
  • As shown in the Figs. 2 and 3, a joystick mechanism 20 contained in the housing 12 includes two optical sensors 42 and 44 and a control circuit 48. The joystick mechanism 20 comprises two mutually perpendicular shafts 38 and 40 rotatably installed inside the housing 12 for measuring rotations of the joystick handle 14 in X and Y directions, the joystick handle 14 rotatably mounted in the opening 16 by a ball-shaped knob 22 on the middle portion of the joystick handle, a hemispherical engaging element 24 connected to the bottom of the joystick handle 14 for frictionally engaging the two shafts 38 and 40, and a plurality of coil springs 32 installed between the engaging element 24 and the housing 12 for maintaining the joystick handle 14 in an upright position.
  • The two optical sensors 42 and 44 are installed in the housing 12 next to two perforated discs 41 and 43 mounted on shaft 38 and 40, respectively, for detecting rotations of the shafts 38 and 40 and generating corresponding displacement signals. The control circuit 48 comprises a memory 50 for storing coordinates indicating the position of the joystick handle 14, and a processor 54 wired to the two optical sensors 42 and 44 for updating the coordinates according to the displacement signals so that the coordinates stored in the memory 50 always indicate the current position of the joystick handle 14. The processor 54 further generates vector signals according to the coordinates to indicate the current position of the joystick handle 14 and transmits the vector signals to a connected computer (not shown) through an output port 52.
  • When the upper end of the joystick handle 14 is tilted by a hand, the hemispherical engaging element 24 will cause corresponding rotations of the two shafts 38 and 40 and the two optical sensors 42 and 44 will generate corresponding displacement signals for the X and Y directions. The processor 54 will calculate therefrom displacements ΔX and ΔY, and update the coordinates stored in the memory 50 so that the current position of the joystick handle 14 can be maintained. Meanwhile, the processor 54 continues to supply vector signals to the output port 52 according to the position of the joystick handle 14 stored in the memory 50.
  • If any errors should occur in the updating process due to erroneous signals or any other reason, these errors would be accumulated in the stored coordinates. Therefore the coordinate storage in the memory 50 can be calibrated. Besides that, the joystick 10 should be calibrated upon power on to set initial coordinates in the memory 50.
  • One method to calibrate the coordinate storage of the joystick handle 14 in the memory 50 is to set the coordinate storage to a start position such as (0,0) when the joystick handle 14 is in an upright position with no external force exerted on it and then to depress the calibrating button 15, whereupon the processor 54 will immediately set the coordinate storage to (0, 0).

Claims (1)

  1. A computer joystick (10; 60) comprising a housing (12) having an opening (16) at its top, and a joystick mechanism (20) having two mutually perpendicular shafts (38, 40) rotatably installed inside said housing (12), a joystick handle (14) tiltably mounted in said opening (16), an engaging element (24) mounted at the bottom end of said joystick handle for frictionally engaging said two shafts (38, 40), and a signal generator associated with each of said shafts for providing electrical displacement signals corresponding to the rotation angles of said shafts, wherein said signal generators comprise sensors installed in said housing (12) in proximity to corresponding indication elements on said two shafts (38, 40) and wired to a control circuit (48) including a memory (50) with stored coordinates indicating the positions of said joystick handle (14) and a processor (54) for updating the coordinate storage in said memory according to said displacement signals from said two sensors (42, 44) and generating vector signals according to the stored coordinates to indicate the current position of the joystick handle (14)
    characterized in that
    the sensors are optical sensors (42, 44), there are optically readable rotation indication elements (41, 43),
    a predetermined reference position is stored in said memory (50) and
    a calibrating button (15) is installed on said housing (12) and wired to said processor (54) to cause said processor (54) to set said predetermined reference position as the starting coordinates of said joystick handle (14).
EP19980102273 1998-02-10 1998-02-10 Computer joystick Expired - Lifetime EP0936529B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69836619T DE69836619T2 (en) 1998-02-10 1998-02-10 Computer Joystick arrangement
EP19980102273 EP0936529B1 (en) 1998-02-10 1998-02-10 Computer joystick

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19980102273 EP0936529B1 (en) 1998-02-10 1998-02-10 Computer joystick

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0936529A1 EP0936529A1 (en) 1999-08-18
EP0936529B1 true EP0936529B1 (en) 2006-12-13

Family

ID=8231387

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19980102273 Expired - Lifetime EP0936529B1 (en) 1998-02-10 1998-02-10 Computer joystick

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0936529B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69836619T2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8581845B2 (en) 2007-09-14 2013-11-12 International Business Machines Corporation Hand activated input device with horizontal control surface

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6580418B1 (en) 2000-02-29 2003-06-17 Microsoft Corporation Three degree of freedom mechanism for input devices
JP2005332039A (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-12-02 Alps Electric Co Ltd Force sense giving type input device
AU2012253874A1 (en) 2011-05-10 2013-10-24 Bp Corporation North America Inc. Pivoting ultrasonic probe mount and methods for use
US10915136B2 (en) * 2019-05-07 2021-02-09 Sensata Technologies, Inc. Dual mode sensing joystick assembly

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5561445A (en) * 1992-11-09 1996-10-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Three-dimensional movement specifying apparatus and method and observational position and orientation changing apparatus
GB2308641A (en) * 1995-12-28 1997-07-02 Thomson Multimedia Sa Manually-operated data input device eg for computers or video games

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8581845B2 (en) 2007-09-14 2013-11-12 International Business Machines Corporation Hand activated input device with horizontal control surface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69836619D1 (en) 2007-01-25
DE69836619T2 (en) 2007-09-20
EP0936529A1 (en) 1999-08-18

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