Joystick device configured with a mouse unit

• US 7,659,883 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tech-Com Computer Company Limited (Quanta Computer)
• Original Assignee: Tech-Com Computer Company Limited (Quanta Computer)
• Inventors: Hsu, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu; Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Gene W
• Application Number:
  US11/385,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20070216645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/161, 345/163, 463/38
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 with additional push or pull action on the handle
• 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: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A joystick device includes a base, an upright joystick handle disposed pivotally on the base and operable to generate a first input signal, and a mouse unit disposed on a top end of the joystick handle and operable to generate a second input signal. An output unit is disposed on the base. A control unit is disposed on the base and connected to the joystick handle, the mouse unit, and the output unit. When the joystick handle is operated, the control unit receives the first input signal from the joystick handle so as to output a first output signal via the output unit. When the mouse unit is operated, the control unit receives the second input signal from the mouse unit so as to output a second output signal via the output unit. A power source supplies electric power to the control unit.

Claims

1. A joystick device comprising:

a base;

an upright joystick handle disposed pivotally on said base and operable to generate a first input signal;

a mouse unit disposed on a top end of said joystick handle and operable to generate a second input signal;

an output unit disposed on said base;

a control unit disposed on said base and connected to said joystick handle, said mouse unit, and said output unit such that, when said joystick handle is operated, said control unit receives said first input signal from said joystick handle so as to output a first output signal via said output unit, and when said mouse unit is operated, said control unit receives said second input signal from said mouse unit so as to output a second output signal via said output unit; and

a power source for supplying electric power to said control unit;

wherein said base includes;

a bottom plate including two aligned U-shaped brackets disposed fixedly on a top surface thereof;

a top cover disposed above and connected fixedly to said bottom plate;

four microswitches disposed on said bottom plate and connected electrically to said control unit;

an annular lower swing member formed with two aligned first pivot pins disposed respectively and rotatably on said U-shaped brackets of said bottom plate so as to allow for rotation of said lower swing member about said first pivot pins, and two aligned second pivot pins perpendicular to said first pivot pins; and

an upper swing member formed with two inverted U-shaped rider members disposed respectively and rotatably on said second pivot pins of said lower swing member so as to allow for rotation of said upper swing member about said second pivot pins, and four contact members, each of which is pivotable to contact a corresponding one of said microswitches.

2. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output unit includes an electrical connector connected electrically to said control unit for transmitting said first and second output signals.

3. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output unit includes a signal emitter connected electrically to said control unit for emitting said first and second output signals.

4. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output unit includes an electrical connector and a signal emitter that are connected electrically to said control unit for transmitting said first and second output signals.

5. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said top cover has a vertical circular hole defined by a cylindrical inner wall surface, and an inward flange extending radially and inwardly from a top end of said inner wall surface;

said upper swing member includes a generally horizontal base wall, and a cylindrical surrounding wall extending upwardly from said base wall, said contact members extending radially and outwardly from an outer periphery of said base wall, said rider members being disposed fixedly on a bottom surface of said base wall; and

said base further includes a coiled compression spring sleeved on said surrounding wall of said upper swing member and having an upper end abutting against a bottom surface of said inward flange of said top cover, and a lower end abutting against an outer peripheral portion of a top surface of said base wall so as to bias said upper swing member toward a predetermined position within said circular hole in said top cover.

6. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit includes an annular circuit board disposed fixedly on said bottom plate, said lower swing member extending through said circuit board, said U-shaped brackets of said bottom plate being disposed between said annular circuit board and said lower swing member, said microswitches being disposed equiangularly on said circuit board.

7. The joystick device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said output unit includes an electrical connector disposed on said circuit board and connected electrically to said circuit board for transmitting said first and second output signals.

8. The joystick device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said output unit further includes a signal emitter disposed on said bottom plate and connected electrically to said circuit board for emitting said first and second output signals.

9. The joystick device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control unit further includes a connecting member welded to said circuit board and connected electrically to said signal emitter so as to establish electrical connection between said circuit board and said signal emitter.

10. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power source is configured as a battery set disposed in said joystick handle.

11. The joystick device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a switch unit disposed between said power source and said control unit for controlling supply of electric power from said power source to said control unit.