Multi-Axis Joystick and Transducer Means Therefore

• US 20090213073A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fritz R. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer
• Original Assignee: Fritz H. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer, Leslie Obermeyer
• Inventors: Obermeyer, Fritz H., Obermeyer, Leslie, Obermeyer, Henry K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/285 using a movable mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35419 Four and more-DOF hand controller, joystick, manipulandum
• 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 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04737 with six degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The joystick may comprise elements movable with respect to each other in at least, e.g., three degrees of freedom and comprise ionically conductive elements that are utilized to generate a position signal in, e.g., at least three, or at least six degrees of freedom. Various ergonomic configurations of six axis joystick embodiments which may be facilitated by the compact design of the transducer means are disclosed. Means for dynamically adjusting coordinate transformations for construction machinery control are also disclosed.

Claims

1-59. -59. (canceled)

60. A joystick comprising at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least three degrees of freedom wherein one or more ionically conductive elements are utilized to generate a position signal of at least three degrees of freedom.

121. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 further comprising a pedestal to which said ionically conductive elements are affixed.

122. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 further comprising circuit boards with which said ionically conductive elements are affixed.

123. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 wherein one of said elements movable with respect to each other comprises a grip.

124. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 further comprising electrical terminals with which said ionically conductive elements are connected.

125. A joystick as described in claim 124 wherein at least one half of said electrical terminals are angularly spaced 120 degrees apart.

126. A joystick as described in claim 124 wherein said electrical terminals comprise an upper half of said electrical terminals and a lower half of said electrical terminals.

127. A joystick as described in claim 126 wherein said upper half of said electrical terminals are angularly offset 60 degrees from said lower half of said electrical terminals.

128. A joystick as described in claim 124 wherein said ionically conductive elements and said electrical terminals form at least part of a variable resistance circuit.

129. A joystick as described in claim 128 wherein said variable resistance circuit has a shape analogous to Steward platform actuator geometry.

130. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 wherein said ionically conductive elements comprise conductive elastomeric elements.

131. A joystick as described in claim 130 wherein said conductive elastomeric elements comprise a metal salt dissolved in a polymer solid solution.

132. A joystick as described in claim 130 wherein said conductive elastomeric elements comprise an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of an intrinsically conductive polymer, and a polymer with a conductive filler.

133. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 wherein an electrical signal passing through said ionically conductive elements is of alternating polarity.

134. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 wherein said ionically conductive elements comprise cavities containing an electrolyte.

135. A joystick as described in claim 134 wherein said electrolyte comprises an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of:

an electrically conducting liquid and an electrically conducting gel.

136. A joystick as described in claim 134 wherein said ionically conductive elements comprise a structurally stiffening insert.

137. A joystick as described in claim 60, 64 or 68 wherein said ionically conductive elements comprise an elastomeric hose that contains electrolyte therein.

138. A joystick as described in claim 60 or 68 wherein said at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least three degrees of freedom comprise at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least six degrees of freedom.

61-63. -63. (canceled)

64. A joystick comprising at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least six degrees of freedom wherein one or more ionically conductive elements are utilized to generate a position signal of at least six degrees of freedom.

65-67. -67. (canceled)

68. A joystick comprising at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least three degrees of freedom wherein six or more ionically conductive elements are utilized to generate a position signal of at least six degrees of freedom.

69-120. -120. (canceled)