Signal-producing mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A signal-producing mechanism, comprising:
- an actuator mechanism movable in a plurality of directions;
a first conductor having a circular shape;
a second conductor having a circular shape and positioned non-concentrically within the first conductor so as to have a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor;
a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor, the interconnecting positions corresponding to the plurality of mobility directions of the actuator mechanism, wherein the third conductor further comprises a variable resistance portion having an independent resistance value in each one of the plurality of interconnecting positions; and
a predetermined one of a plurality of output signals producible when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor in each of the plurality of interconnecting positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides devices for controlling a desired output of an output device. These devices include a first conductor, a second conductor having a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor, and a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor. A predetermined one of a plurality of output signals may be produced when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor to control the desired output of the output device.
16 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A signal-producing mechanism, comprising:
-
an actuator mechanism movable in a plurality of directions; a first conductor having a circular shape; a second conductor having a circular shape and positioned non-concentrically within the first conductor so as to have a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor;
a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor, the interconnecting positions corresponding to the plurality of mobility directions of the actuator mechanism, wherein the third conductor further comprises a variable resistance portion having an independent resistance value in each one of the plurality of interconnecting positions; anda predetermined one of a plurality of output signals producible when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor in each of the plurality of interconnecting positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A signal-producing mechanism, comprising:
-
an actuator mechanism movable in a plurality of directions; a first conductor; a second conductor having a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor; a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor, the interconnecting positions corresponding to the plurality of mobility directions of the actuator mechanism; a predetermined one of a plurality of output signals producible when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor in each of the plurality of interconnecting positions; and a signal analyzer and a controllable device, wherein the signal analyzer is operable to receive and process the predetermined output signal of the plurality of output signals and generate a predetermined control signal from a plurality of control signals to control a predetermined function associated with the controllable device. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
Specification