MAGNETICALLY COUPLED INPUT DEVICE
First Claim
1. A control input device, comprising:
- a housing having an aperture;
a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing;
a first permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the first magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a second permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the second magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a first magnetic sensing device disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields; and
a first conductive path coupled with the sensor and operable to transmit the first output signal out of the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for transmitting a signal corresponding to a rotation of a spherical body. The apparatus includes a housing having an aperture, and a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing. A first and second permanent magnets are disposed within the spherical body, and are operable to emit a magnetic field. A first magnetic sensing device is disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device being operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields. The first output signal is transmitted via a first conductive path coupled with the sensor.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A control input device, comprising:
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a housing having an aperture;
a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing;
a first permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the first magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a second permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the second magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a first magnetic sensing device disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields; and
a first conductive path coupled with the sensor and operable to transmit the first output signal out of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A control input device, comprising:
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a two-piece housing having an aperture;
a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing;
a first rod magnet disposed within the spherical body, the first magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a second rod magnet disposed within the spherical body, the second magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a first magnetic sensing device disposed within the housing, the magnetic sensing device operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate an output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields;
a conductive path coupled with the sensor and operable to transmit the output signal out of the housing; and
a shaft coupled with the spherical body, the shaft protruding from the housing and extending in a direction approximately normal to a surface of the spherical body.
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21. A work machine, comprising:
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a control input device, comprising;
a housing having an aperture;
a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing;
a first permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the first magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a second permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the second magnet operable to emit a magnetic field;
a first magnetic sensing device disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields; and
a first conductive path coupled with the sensor and operable to transmit the first output signal out of the housing;
a frame;
a work tool coupled with the frame; and
an actuator coupled with the control input device to receive the output signal and with the work tool, the actuator operable to control a function of the work machine as a function of the output signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification