Variable compliance joystick with compensation algorithms
First Claim
1. A joystick apparatus comprising:
- a rigid shaft including a tip; and
a flexible extension operatively connected to said shaft to vary the compliance of said shaft.
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Abstract
The present invention provides variable compliance joysticks with mechanical and software customization, and with an integrated control capability, and a method of systematically determining the best mechanical settings and compensatory algorithms to embed in the joysticks to offer an individual with substantial upper extremity motor impairments a personal fit and maximum function. The joysticks may include components for varying the compliance and dampening of the joystick shaft. The method may include providing the user access to operate the joysticks, operatively connecting the joysticks to a driving simulator, displaying an icon on the driving simulator, controlling movement of the icon by the joysticks, evaluating performance of the user based upon the user'"'"'s ability to control movement of the icon, and modifying hardware settings and software algorithms for the joysticks based upon the evaluation.
73 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A joystick apparatus comprising:
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a rigid shaft including a tip; and
a flexible extension operatively connected to said shaft to vary the compliance of said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for systematically determining the best mechanical settings and compensatory algorithms to embed in a joystick to offer a user a personal fit and maximum function, said method comprising:
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providing the user access to operate the joystick;
operatively connecting the joystick to a driving simulator;
displaying an icon on said driving simulator;
controlling movement of said icon by the joystick;
evaluating performance of the user based upon the user'"'"'s ability to control movement of said icon; and
modifying hardware settings and software algorithms for the joystick based upon said evaluation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A joystick apparatus comprising:
a joystick shaft having a generally predetermined length, and including upper and lower joystick segments operatively connected to each other, said lower joystick segment being substantially flexible and movable relative to said upper joystick segment to vary compliance of said joystick shaft without substantially changing said predetermined length. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
Specification