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Magnetically coupled input device

  • US 6,501,458 B2
  • Filed: 06/30/1999
  • Issued: 12/31/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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 first magnetic field;

    a second permanent magnet disposed within the spherical body, the second magnet operable to emit a second magnetic field;

    a first magnetic sensing device disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device operable to detect the first and second magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the first and second magnetic fields; and

    a first conductive path coupled with the sensor and operable to transmit the first output signal out of the housing.

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