Magnetic thumbstick user interface devices
First Claim
1. A magnetic thumbstick user interface device (UID), comprising:
- a manual actuator assembly comprising a magnet, a manual actuator element, and a movement control element including a substantially spherical section having a cavity to receive the magnet;
a base assembly comprising;
a base element having a pivot pad and a contoured surface on which the substantially spherical section is movable during user interaction with the manual actuator element;
a multi-axis magnetic sensor to sense magnetic field components in three orthogonal axes (X, Y and Z); and
a processing element to generate, based on the sensed magnetic field components, output signals corresponding to a position or movement of the manual actuator element, relative to a compact point in space, in the three orthogonal axes; and
a restorative element coupled to the base assembly and the manual actuator assembly for restoring the manual actuator element to a released-state position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic thumbstick device including a manual actuator assembly, a restorative element, a base assembly, one or more magnets, and one or more magnetic sensors is disclosed. The magnetic sensor is positioned to measure magnetic fields generated by movement of the magnet, which may be disposed in the manual actuator assembly, and sensed by the magnetic sensor, which may be disposed in the base assembly. These magnetic field signals may then be provided to a processing element where they may be used to determine position and/or motion of the magnet in relation to the magnetic sensor. The processing element may further generate output signals or commands usable by an electronic computing system such as personal computer, cellular phone, video game console, or other device.
126 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A magnetic thumbstick user interface device (UID), comprising:
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a manual actuator assembly comprising a magnet, a manual actuator element, and a movement control element including a substantially spherical section having a cavity to receive the magnet; a base assembly comprising; a base element having a pivot pad and a contoured surface on which the substantially spherical section is movable during user interaction with the manual actuator element; a multi-axis magnetic sensor to sense magnetic field components in three orthogonal axes (X, Y and Z); and a processing element to generate, based on the sensed magnetic field components, output signals corresponding to a position or movement of the manual actuator element, relative to a compact point in space, in the three orthogonal axes; and a restorative element coupled to the base assembly and the manual actuator assembly for restoring the manual actuator element to a released-state position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A magnetic thumbstick user interface device (UID), comprising:
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a manual actuator assembly comprising a permanent magnet, a manual actuator element, and a movement control element; a base assembly comprising a base element, a pivot pad, a multi-axis magnetic sensor to sense magnetic field components in three orthogonal axes (X, Y and Z), and a processing element to generate, based on the sensed magnetic field components output signals corresponding to a position or movement of the manual actuator element, relative to a compact point in space, in the three orthogonal axes; a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the pivot pad; and a restorative spring element coupled to the base assembly and the manual actuator assembly for restoring the manual actuator element to a released-state position; wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed on the PCB; wherein the movement control element comprises a substantially spherical section and the base assembly includes a contoured surface shaped to engage the substantially spherical section to control movement of the curved element during user actuation of the manual actuator element; and wherein the permanent magnet is closely paired with the multi-axis magnetic sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification