Electronic two directional control apparatus

• US 4,305,007 A
• Filed: 08/22/1979
• Issued: 12/08/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dellas Stoyko, Gerald N. Stan
• Original Assignee: Dellas Stoyko, Gerald N. Stan
• Inventors: Hughes, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hix, L. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/068,664
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 307/116, 200/DIG. 1, 340/365 C, 340/573, 361/181, 328/5, 324/61 R, 324/60 C
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2417 by varying separation
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

An electronic two-directional control apparatus responsive to the capacitance of an external object for generating two electrical outputs simultaneously referable as co-ordinates defining the position of an external object in relation to a control surface, four sensing electrodes of approximately equal capacitance symmetrically arranged into pairs of opposing sensing electrodes within a common plane and electrically insulated from one another whereby sensing electrodes define a control surface and whereby sensing electrode capacitances independently vary in response to the proximity of an external object thereto and are electrically connected to an electrical input in such fashion that only the positive portions of the oscillatory potential are equally applied to each sensing electrode; two pairs of resistors electrically connected to sensing electrodes for continuously receiving discharge currents originating from each pair of opposing sensing electrodes, respectively and whereby each discharge current is a function of corresponding sensing electrode capacitance; a detector circuit electrically connected to both pairs of resistors for simultaneously detecting both continuous discharge currents from each pair of resistors, detecting differences therebetween, and generating two electrical outputs respectively.

The electronic two-directional control apparatus may be utilized in combination with a human body act on a universally rotatable mechanical control member for simultaneously generating two electrical outputs referable as co-ordinates defining the position of mechanical control member in relation to control surface.

Claims

1. In a device for generating at least two interrelated electrical outputs, the combination of;

(a) at least four sensing means presenting a two-directional electrical field of selected orthogonal coordinates and strength, whereby a change in capacitance in each of said sensing means in said two directions can be detected upon the entry of a grounded conductor within the boundary of said field;

(b) a first means for generating a first electrical output of selected characteristics and strength in response to a change in capacitance to be imposed upon two of said sensing means, whereby the strength of said first output is derived from the difference in capacitance between said two sensing means, and whereby said first output is referable to define the position of said grounded conductor along one of said directions;

(c) a second means for generating a second electrical output of selected characteristics and strength in response to a change in capacitance to be imposed upon said other two sensing means, whereby the strength of said second output is derived from the difference in capacitance between said other two sensing means, and whereby said second output is referable to define the position of said grounded conductor along said other direction; and

(d) means for communicating each of said detected changes in capacitance in said two sensing means and said other two sensing means to said first generating means and to said second generating means respectively.

2. In a device according to claim 1 in which control means are provided for implementing the generation of said first and second electrical outputs respectively including displaceable conductor means, means for supporting said displaceable conductor means centrally above said opposing pairs of electrodes and in close proximity thereto for movement throughout said electrical field centred upon a fixed radius, whereby the electrical capacitance to be imposed is reproduceable throughout a range of selected values.

3. In apparatus for generating two interrelated outputs the combination of;

(a) at least four electrodes of approximately equal capacitance connected in spaced opposed pairs and within a common plane to define a two directional electrical field having orthogonal coordinates and so insulated from one another whereby each of said paired electrode capacitances can be varied independently in response to the entry of a grounded conductor into said electrical field;

(b) electrical input means associated with said paired electrodes for energizing same including means for applying only positive portions of an oscillatory potential to each said paired electrodes whereby each said paired electrodes is charged positively during positive portions of said oscillatory cycle and partially discharged during negative portions of said oscillatory cycle;

(c) first means associated with said electrical input means for generating a first electrical output of selected characteristics in response to a change in capacitance imposed thereupon;

(d) second means associated with said electrical input means for generating a second electrical output of selected characteristics in response to a change in capacitance to be imposed thereupon;

(e) means for establishing electrical communication between one pair of said paired electrodes and said first generating means and between the other pair of said paired electrodes and said second generating means whereby changes in capacitance upon entry of a grounded conductor within the boundary of said electrical field are simultaneously communicated to said first generating means and to said second generating means respectively; and

(f) control means for implementing the generation of said first and second electrical outputs respectively including displaceable conductor means, means supporting said displaceable conductor means centrally above said opposing pairs of electrodes and in close proximity thereto for movement throughout said electrical field centred upon a fixed radius, whereby the electrical capacitance to be imposed is reproducible throughout a range of selected values.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first generating means and said second generating means include means for independently adjusting their respective electrical outputs.

12. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 8 wherein said electrical input means includes amplifier means for generating a high frequency saw tooth signal.

13. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 8 wherein displaceable conductor means is supported to enter said electrical field and define a part spherical path, said displaceable conductor means having a capacitance of at least the order of 100 picofarads.

4. In an electronic two-directional control apparatus provided with electrical input means responsive to the capacitance of an external object for generating two electrical outputs simultaneously, referable as co-ordinates defining the position of said external object in relation to a control surface, including:

(a) four sensing electrodes of approximately equal capacitance, symmetrically arranged into pairs of opposing sensing electrodes within a common plane and electrically insulated from one another whereby said sensing electrodes define said control surface and whereby said sensing electrode capacitances independently vary in response to the proximity of said external object in relation to said control surface;

(b) means associated with electrical input means whereby only the positive portions of an oscillatory potential are equally applied to each of said sensing electrodes, and whereby each sensing electrode is charged positively during positive portions of said oscillatory cycle and partially discharged during negative portions of said oscillatory cycle;

(c) first electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said electrical input means and each of said sensing electrodes;

(d) two pairs of resistance means for continuously receiving discharge currents originating from each pair of said opposing sensing electrodes, respectively, whereby each discharge current is made a function of corresponding sensing electrode capacitance;

(e) second electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said two opposing pairs of sensing electrodes and said two pairs of resistance means respectively;

(f) means for physically positioning said external object in close proximity to said control surface causing said electrical capacitance of said sensing electrode to vary and thereby causing each of said discharge currents to vary in response thereto;

(g) detector circuit means for simultaneously detecting both continuous discharge currents from each pair of resistance means detecting differences therebetween and generating two electrical outputs respectively referable as coordinates defining the position of said external object in relation to said controlled surface; and

(h) third electrical conducting means for establishing electrical communication between said two pairs of resistance means and said detector circuit means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector means includes adjusting means for individually adjusting each said electrical outputs.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electrical input means includes means for generating a high frequency saw tooth electrical signal.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein positioning means for said apparatus is provided in the form of a grounded conductor having a capacitance of the order of at least 100 picofarads.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector circuit means generate at least one of said electrical outputs as an electrical current varying in a predictable non-linear manner with said difference between said discharge currents from said corresponding pair of resistance means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector circuit means generate at least one of said electrical outputs as an electrical current varying in a predictable linear manner with said difference between said discharge currents from said corresponding pair of resistance means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector means generate at least one of said electrical outputs as an electrical voltage varying in a predictable linear manner with said difference between said discharge currents from said corresponding pair of resistance means.