Control Device

• US 20080278448A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: G-Coder Systems AB
• Original Assignee: G-Coder Systems AB
• Inventors: Takman, Olle, Nilsagard, Jonas
• Application Number:
  US11/887,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04707 with ball joint
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 with additional push or pull action on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04781 with additional rotation of the controlling member
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/053 the controlling member comprising a ball graph-reading using a tracing ball or mouse G06F3/033

Abstract

A control device (1) for providing four position parameters of an object (7) attached to a displacement device (6) using a rotatable structure (2) with three determinable position parameters: x and y tilt and rotational angle around a z axis; the forth parameter being a position in the z direction of the displacement device (6).

Claims

1. A control device for providing at least four position parameters, comprising:

a rotatable structure;

at least one sensor for measuring a position of said rotatable structure;

a displacement unit providing a linear displacement and a signal proportional to said linear displacement;

wherein said at least one sensor is in sensing contact with said rotatable structure for determination of a position of said rotatable structure in a first, second, and third position parameter, said displacement unit is arranged in mechanical connection to said rotatable structure and provides a measurement in a fourth position parameter, said control device is further arranged to provide a signal indicative of said four position parameters.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a non-contacting sensor.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein said non-contacting sensor is an optical sensor.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein said optical sensor is arranged to detect an optical pattern on said rotatable structure.

5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein said optical pattern is a pre-configured pattern enhancing a resolution of the determination of said first, second, and third position parameters.

6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein said sensor is a sensor for measuring magnetic properties.

7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein said sensor for measuring magnetic properties is arranged to measure a magnetic pattern on said rotatable structure.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is an impedance measuring sensor using slip rings.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein part of said displacement unit is arranged in a hole arranged at least partly through said rotatable structure.

10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein said hole through said rotatable structure is arranged substantially through a center portion of said rotatable structure.

11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a first object is arranged in mechanical connection to said displacement unit.

12. The control device according to claim 11, wherein said first object arranged in mechanical connection to said displacement unit is a handle operable by a user.

13. The control device according to claim 12, wherein said handle comprise at least one interface unit providing function signals.

14. The control device according to claim 11, wherein said first object is a receiving device for receiving a second object and comprising a clamping device holding said second object.

15. The control device according to claim 11, wherein said first object arranged in mechanical connection to said displacement unit is a medical simulation device arranged to receive a medical instrument or a simulated medical instrument for use inside a mammal body.

16. The control device according to claim 15, wherein said medical instrument or simulated medical instrument is at least one of endoscope, laparoscope, rectoscope, catheter, stent, and laryngoscope.

17. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring mechanism attached to said rotatable structure allowing linear translation of said rotatable structure in a plane perpendicular to said displacement device (6).

18. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor and displacement unit measure absolute positions of said first object attached to said displacement unit.

19. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said four parameters include angle deviations in two dimensions, a rotational angle around an axis perpendicular to said two dimensions, and a linear displacement parameter in the direction of said axis perpendicular to said two dimensions.

20. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising force feedback applied to at least one of said rotatable structure and said displacement device (6).