Multi-axis joystick and transducer means therefore
First Claim
1. A multi-axis input transducer apparatus comprising:
- an at least quinary input element capable of receiving input with respect to at least five frames of reference,a reflective element that, during receipt of said input, reflects radiation from a source capable of emitting radiation eventually incident upon said reflective element;
at least one reflected radiation detector that detects radiation from said reflective element; and
a comparatively non-reflective element upon which radiation from said source is eventually incident,wherein said comparatively non-reflective element forms at least one abrupt border with said reflective element, where there is an abrupt change from reflective to comparatively non-reflective.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The displacement measuring means may include one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors, preferably mounted in a planar hexagonal array. The relative position of an adjacent movable reflector assembly can be measured in six degrees of freedom by variations in detected light amplitude. 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.
215 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A multi-axis input transducer apparatus comprising:
-
an at least quinary input element capable of receiving input with respect to at least five frames of reference, a reflective element that, during receipt of said input, reflects radiation from a source capable of emitting radiation eventually incident upon said reflective element; at least one reflected radiation detector that detects radiation from said reflective element; and a comparatively non-reflective element upon which radiation from said source is eventually incident, wherein said comparatively non-reflective element forms at least one abrupt border with said reflective element, where there is an abrupt change from reflective to comparatively non-reflective. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
- 13. A joystick comprising a radiation source that projects radiation eventually incident upon an internal reflector that itself reflects a varying reflected optical signal to a reflected radiation sensor in a manner which varies in at least four degrees of freedom in response to varying input from an operator, wherein said reflected radiation sensor senses at least a portion of said varying reflected optical signal wherein said radiation source and said reflector are movable with respect to each other in at least four degrees of freedom and wherein said reflector comprises multiple reflective facets.
-
17. A multi-axis input transducer apparatus comprising:
-
an at least quinary input element capable of receiving input with respect to at least five frames of reference; and an internal reflective element established; (a) so that said input causes movement of said internal reflective element relative to a radiation source; and (b) to receive input independent radiation from said radiation source, wherein said radiation source is capable of emitting radiation eventually incident upon said internal reflective element, and wherein said at least one reflected radiation detector is established to receive radiation reflected by said internal reflective element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A multi-axis input transducer apparatus comprising:
-
an at least quinary input element capable of receiving input with respect to at least five frames of reference; and an annular reflective element established to receive input independent radiation from said radiation source, wherein said radiation source is capable of emitting radiation eventually incident upon said annular reflective element, wherein said at least one reflected radiation detector is established to receive radiation reflected by said annular reflective element, and wherein said annular reflective element is established so as to surround said radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (33)
-
Specification