GB2465355A - Thumbstick or joystick input device - Google Patents

Thumbstick or joystick input device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2465355A
GB2465355A GB0820753A GB0820753A GB2465355A GB 2465355 A GB2465355 A GB 2465355A GB 0820753 A GB0820753 A GB 0820753A GB 0820753 A GB0820753 A GB 0820753A GB 2465355 A GB2465355 A GB 2465355A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
partial spherical
spherical section
sensor
thumbstick
input shaft
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0820753A
Other versions
GB0820753D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Richard Heywood
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0820753A priority Critical patent/GB2465355A/en
Publication of GB0820753D0 publication Critical patent/GB0820753D0/en
Publication of GB2465355A publication Critical patent/GB2465355A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0338—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
    • 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
    • G05G2009/04703—Mounting of controlling member
    • G05G2009/04707—Mounting of controlling member with ball joint
    • 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
    • G05G2009/04755—Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)

Abstract

A thumbstick or joystick input device utilises a non-contacting electromagnetic position sensor to determine the position of a user input shaft by measuring the movement of a partial spherical surface attached to the input shaft. The device comprises a central shaft 1 attached at one end to a pivot point 4. A partial spherical section of material 2 is attached to the shaft, where the radius 6 of the partial spherical section corresponds to its distance from the pivot. A sensor 7 is mounted on a supporting structure 5 such that it remains in close proximity to a surface 3 of the partial spherical section when the central shaft is manipulated by a user. The sensor provides a signal which is processed by a host device in order to determine the position of the surface of the partial spherical section relative to its previous or at rest position for a given mechanical deflection of the input shaft.

Description

V
DESCRIPTION
Field of the Inventign.
The present invention relates to a joystick or thumbstick mechanism that uses a non-contact sensor as it's method of positional detection. This positional information is then imparted to a host device in order to determine the position of the joystick relative to it's previous or at rest position.
Background of the invention.
A large number of thumbstick or joystick mechanisms have been developed using various types of magnetic, optical, mechanical, electro-mechanical or electro-magnetic position sensing devices.
Whilst some are no doubt highly durable and accurate they also tend to be costly to manufacture.
On the other hand, tost of the cheaper examples tend to suffer from mechanical wear that eventually renders them inaccurate. For example, the typical lifecycle of an electro-mechanical thumbstick in a heavily used game console controller can often be measured in months. This is often a natural consequence of using a mechanical yoke design that has sliding, rotating or moving parts. Mechanical war in this situation is almost impossible to avoid and results in excess free play' in the mechanism thus rendering it's positional sensing increasingly inaccurate with respect to it's original performance. It would be desirable to greatly reduce any mechanical wear by simplifying the mechanism itself to contain the minimum number of moving parts. This in turn should reduce the c9st of manufacture and increase the long term reliability and accuracy of the device.
Summary of the invention
In accord with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention is defined as a thumbstick or joystik mechanism that uses an electromagnetic non-contact motion sensor acting upon a partial spherical section that comprises part of the moveable portion of the mechanism.
Such movement being translated into absolute positional information by means of further electronic processing.
Brief description of the drawing figures.
Fig. I is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the device shown in Fig. 2 Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment.
Fig. 3 is an isometric yiew of a further embodiment.
Fig. 4 is an isometric view of yet a further embodiment.
Description of the preferred embodiment
As shown in Fig.1 the device consists of a central shaft (I) attached at one end to a pivot point (4).
Attached to this shaft is a spherical section of material (2) whose radius (6) is directly relational to it's distance from the pivot. A sensor (7) is mounted on a supporting structure (5) such that it remains in close proximity to the surface of the spherical section (3) when motion of the central shaft, and thus spherical section, is prompted by the users mechanical input. The sensor detects said movement and a signal is sent to an appropriate signal processing device.
In a further embodiment the sensor would be mounted such that it interacts with the upper surface of the spherical section. An example of this is shown in Fig. 3 In yet a further embOdiment, any portion of a sphericl section that relates to the radius can be used to provide a measurable surface as long as it is mechanically attached to the central shaft. An example of this is shown in Fig. 4

Claims (5)

  1. CLAIMSWhat is claimed is- 1) A Thumbstick or Joystick input device that uses a non-contact electromagnetic position sensor.
  2. 2) The sensor to be mounted in such a way that it can detect the movement of a nearby surface.
  3. 3) The above mentioned surface to comprise of a partial spherical section attached to a central input shaft which is pivoted at one end to allow movement around the pivot.
  4. 4) The radius of the partial spherical section to correspond to it's distance from the pivot.
  5. 5) The sensor to provide a signal capable of being processed by a host device in order to determine the position of the surface relative to it's present or at rest position for a given mechanical deflection of the input shaft.
GB0820753A 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Thumbstick or joystick input device Withdrawn GB2465355A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820753A GB2465355A (en) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Thumbstick or joystick input device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820753A GB2465355A (en) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Thumbstick or joystick input device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0820753D0 GB0820753D0 (en) 2008-12-17
GB2465355A true GB2465355A (en) 2010-05-19

Family

ID=40139845

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0820753A Withdrawn GB2465355A (en) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Thumbstick or joystick input device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2465355A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10353423B2 (en) * 2015-11-18 2019-07-16 Sakamoto Electric Works Co., Ltd. Joystick

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1450593A (en) * 1972-10-26 1976-09-22 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Producing an indication of the position of a movable body
GB2007063A (en) * 1977-10-26 1979-05-10 Rank Organisation Ltd Control signal generating device
US4533827A (en) * 1982-10-06 1985-08-06 Texas A&M University Optical joystick
JPS61276015A (en) * 1985-05-31 1986-12-06 Fujitsu Ltd Joy stick
EP0628976A1 (en) * 1993-05-20 1994-12-14 Caterpillar Inc. Non-contacting joystick
JPH09272089A (en) * 1996-04-09 1997-10-21 Nippon Steel Corp Posture input device
US20030034442A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Emmanuel Robert Control device with mobile component mounted on a ball pivot
US6545662B1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2003-04-08 Mannesmann Vdo Ag Operating device having an actuator with at least two adjustment degrees of freedom
WO2007122532A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-11-01 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Detection circuit for detecting movements of a movable object

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1450593A (en) * 1972-10-26 1976-09-22 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Producing an indication of the position of a movable body
GB2007063A (en) * 1977-10-26 1979-05-10 Rank Organisation Ltd Control signal generating device
US4533827A (en) * 1982-10-06 1985-08-06 Texas A&M University Optical joystick
JPS61276015A (en) * 1985-05-31 1986-12-06 Fujitsu Ltd Joy stick
EP0628976A1 (en) * 1993-05-20 1994-12-14 Caterpillar Inc. Non-contacting joystick
JPH09272089A (en) * 1996-04-09 1997-10-21 Nippon Steel Corp Posture input device
US6545662B1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2003-04-08 Mannesmann Vdo Ag Operating device having an actuator with at least two adjustment degrees of freedom
US20030034442A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-20 Emmanuel Robert Control device with mobile component mounted on a ball pivot
WO2007122532A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-11-01 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Detection circuit for detecting movements of a movable object

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10353423B2 (en) * 2015-11-18 2019-07-16 Sakamoto Electric Works Co., Ltd. Joystick

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0820753D0 (en) 2008-12-17

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Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)